The Siddhanta Kaumudi of Bhattoji Diksita, 2 Vols. – By Srisa Chandra Vasu (Author) – MLBD Publications

Siddhanta Kaumudi is a critical and scholarly commentary on the sutras of Panini by Bhattoji Diksita, a stalwart grammarian of the Panini system who flourished in the first half of the seventeenth century. The Sutras are arranged topic-wise and fully explained with examples and counter-examples. The work is exhaustive, yet not voluminous, difficult yet popular, and critical yet lucid. The work is next in importance to the Mahabhasya in the system of Panini, and its study prepares the way for understanding the Mahabhasya. It is prescribed for study in the courses of Vyakarana at every academy and Pathasala and is expected to be committed to memory by students who want to be thorough scholars of Vyakarana. By virtue of its methodical treatment it has thrown into the background all kindred works and glosses or Vrttis on the Sutras of Panini. It is arranged into two halves, the first half dealing with seven topics (1) Sangya Paribhasha, (2) Panchsandhi, (3) Shadling (4) Stri Pratyay, (5) Karak, (6) Samas, (7) Taddhit and the latter half dealing with five topics (1) Dashgani (2) Dwadashprakriya (3) Kridant, (4) Vaikiki, and (5) Swar!

The present work is the translation of the above book in English in two volumes. S.C. Vasu has rendered a great service to the ancient Indian Literature by translating this book into English. This translation commands a unique position in the world of scholarship.