Question

What is the total number of chapters (Adhyayas) in Panini's Ashtadhyayi?

• A. 6
• B. 7
• C. 8
• D. 10

Hint:

Aṣṭādhyāyī → Aṣṭa (8) + Adhyāya (chapters)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Understanding the Question: The question asks for the number of major divisions or chapters in the primary text of Sanskrit grammar written by Pāṇini.
Key Concepts and Approach: The title of the work itself provides a direct clue to its structure, as Sanskrit titles of classical texts often reflect their quantitative organization.
Detailed Solution:
Step 1: Etymological Analysis. The word Aṣṭādhyāyī is a compound of two words: Aṣṭa (meaning Eight) and Adhyāya (meaning Chapter). The literal translation is "The Collection of Eight Chapters."
Step 2: Internal Structure. Each of the 8 chapters is further subdivided into 4 sections called Pādas. This results in a total of 32 sections ($8 \times 4 = 32$).
Step 3: Scope of the Work. Across these 8 chapters, Pāṇini arranged nearly 4,000 aphorisms (Sūtras) that define the entire morphology and phonology of the Sanskrit language.
Conclusion: Thus, there are 8 chapters in the Aṣṭādhyāyī.