Laghukaumudi of Varadaraja: A Sanskrit Grammar

A different arrangement of Panini’s Sutras was attempted by several grammarians, of which Siddhantakaumudi of Bhattoji Diksita is very popular, in bringing together the relevant sutras bearing on a particular topic. Laghukaumudi is a suitable abridgement of the same by Varadaraja in introducing the beginner to the rudiments of the Sanskrit Language. The present book is an English version of Laghukaumudi together with comments, references and an index. One of the important objects of this version is to explain each term and each process, on its first occurrence, with the fullness of illustration. Yet when a word is given as an illustration under a rule and more rules are to be referred to be in forming the word there is no reference to them whatsoever in the original. Omission of the native grammars is supplied to a certain extent in this edition. When a word is given as an example under a rule, perhaps six or eight rules have previously had a share in bringing the radical word into the form to which the ultimate rule applies. This edition supplies such references so that the student should know the steps the root has taken before it has attained its present form. The book is a valuable contribution to the study of Sanskrit Grammar.