Question

Which text propounds the advantages of learning the Grammar of Science of words?

• A. Aṣṭādhyāyī
• B. Mahābhāṣya
• C. Nirukta
• D. Vākyapadīya

Hint:

For questions about the "why" or "purpose" of studying Sanskrit grammar, the Mahābhāṣya, especially its first chapter (Paspaśāhnika), is almost always the answer. Remember it as the text that justifies the study of grammar.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the seminal text in the Sanskrit grammatical tradition that explicitly discusses the purposes and benefits (\textit{prayojana}) of studying grammar (Vyākaraṇa).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
While all the listed texts are monumental in the field of Sanskrit linguistics, the one most famous for systematically propounding the advantages of studying grammar is Patañjali's Mahābhāṣya.
The Mahābhāṣya is a commentary on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī. Its very first section, known as the Paspaśāhnika (introductory chapter), is dedicated to discussing this topic. Patañjali lists several main benefits, including the preservation of the Vedas (\textit{rakṣā}), proper modification in rituals (\textit{ūha}), understanding tradition (\textit{āgama}), brevity (\textit{laghu}), and removal of doubt (\textit{asandeha}).


Aṣṭādhyāyī: Is the primary sourcebook of grammatical rules, not a discussion of its benefits.
Nirukta: Focuses on etymology and the classification of words.
Vākyapadīya: Is a profound philosophical text on the nature of language, words, and meaning, but the classic enumeration of practical advantages is in the Mahābhāṣya.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Patañjali's Mahābhāṣya is the text that extensively propounds the advantages of learning grammar. Therefore, option (2) is correct.