The Kasikavrtti or the Kasika written by Jayaditya and Vamana in the seventh century A.D. is the fourth great grammar after the Astadhyayi of Panini, the Mahabhasya of Patanjali and the Vakyapadiya of Bhartrhari. The Kasika is formally known as a commentary on the Astadhyayi of Panini. But like the Mahabhasya, it is also a very important source book for the study of the multi-coloured socio-cultural life of the people of India of the age of Jayaditya and Vamana. The Kasika presents a clear picture of the life, thoughts and actions of the Indian people. We gather from this grammatical work a vast idea of the mode of living of the people, their economy, political life, foods, drinks, dresses, arts and architecture, academic life and the religious beliefs and practices. There are many special and specific features of the Indian society of the age of the Kasika. The society as described by patanjali had changed a great deal during the intervel of nine hundred years. There was a gradual but constant expansion of the society in all respects. Now centres and trade centers supported by well-built long distant roads grew up in the country. There was similar expansion in religious, spiritual and academic life. Many Brahmana ladies rose to the exalted position of ‘gramani’ in the age of the Kasika. A cursory glance of the social system of the days of the Kasika had inspired this author to write out a critical work on the subject which has been only briefly and casually discussed by the scholars like Dr. Prabhudayal Agnihotri. The author urgently felt the need of writing such a work in the interest of the academic circle in general. We believe that the present study will adequately help the researchers on ancient India in particular.
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