Page:Systems-of-Sanskrit-Grammar-SK Belvalkar.pdf/51

 - 29 Kaiyyata's Pradipa and commentaries 43 in turn, commented upon by Nagojibhaṭṭa the author - of the Pradipodyota, by Narayana who has written a Vivarana upon it, and by Ïśvarananda the pupil of Satya- nanda who has composed another similarly named com- mentary. None of these writers seems to be earlier than A. D. 1600. We have already spoken of Haradatta's Padamañjari, which is based upon Kaiyyata's work. For most of these writers who followed Kaiyyata there was very little original work in the Paniniya school that was left to be done. Sanskrit had long been estab lished as a classical language; it ceased to be influenced by current speech in any vital manner. Hence in grammar there was no occasion for any creative work; and even the work of critical elaboration had well-nigh run its course. This was also the period of the early Muhammedan in- cursions, which necessarily preceded their permanent occu- pation of India; and it was, as was to be expected, mark- ed by a general decadence of literature, reflecting a corresponding ebb in the tide of social and political acti- vities. The study of grammar, accordingly, succumbed to the operation of the usual laws of demand and supply. In the next century or two there may have been petty commentators here and there, and, possibly, some really great writers, but none of their names even have survived the ravages of time. Later when the clouds cleared a little and literature began to flourish, the demand--feeble at first--which some of the enlightened Muhammedan rulers created was adequately met by popular schools of grammar, like the Sarasvata, which now sprang into existence. 29. Recasts of the Ashtadhyayi: The Rüpemals.-It was clear now that if the Paniniya grammar was to keep abreast of the spirit of the times, it should have been re- moulded and presented in easier and less repellent style.