[Y-Indology] Panini sutras memorized by 3 year-olds.

[Guest guest]

>Was it traditional for 3 year old kids to memorize the ashtadhyayi?

 

It was. One of my old frieds (in Kathmandu) started at the age of 4,

learning from his father; later continued with explanations, and of course

study of classical and other texts...

 

As for Panini's c. 4000 rules, one usually forgest that they cover only

some 35 fols. of Pothi style books (a la Nirnayasagar Press).

 

One can learn that much by heart fairly easily. And then start reciting

anywhere in the text. Or single out words, once you have a firm grasp.

 

(Or Sutra numbers, but that would be non-traditional, as a "human

tapecorder" does not need numbers. We do).

 

Just try it...

 

MW

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Michael Witzel

Department of Sanskrit & Indian Studies, Harvard University

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