PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
OUR fathers justly held the subject of Grammar (Vyakarana) in high esteem, and defined it as a Sastra (science) and a Vedanga. In any literature, true mastery is impossible without a thorough grasp of the grammar of the language, and this is especially the case with Sanskrit. A living language may be learned, with- out much grammar; but, without an adequate grounding in grammar, it is not easy to learn a dead, classical lan- guage. It is a matter of common knowledge, that, under the old indigenous scheme of education, Indian youths began the study of Sanskrit, not, as they now do, with a reader, but with a simplified grammar, containing the elementary rules of declension and conjugation. This practice is even now followed, and the student who does not purpose to acquire the reputation of a grammarian (vaiyakarana) takes to such other studies as he cares for, the classical treatises on grammar, of which Sanskrit has such an abundant number-almost all of matchless excellence-being only studied by special students of the subject. Specialisation in the different branches of Sanskrit lore-however desirable, in the interests of a revival of genuine classical scholarship in India, is not now common, and, following the traditions of the West, the greater number of modern students of Sanskrit desire only such an equipment in grammar and phonetics as would enable them to understand and enjoy the gems of
