Panini - Sanskrit grammarian

The impetus for linguistic analysis and grammar in India originates in the need to be able to obtain a strict interpretation for the Vedic texts (wikipedia). The first attempt of linguistic analysis was made by Yaksha who formulated some rules in his book Shakatayana.

Later, Panini collected the rules adapted in spoken sanskrit of his time(4th century BC) in his books. He is known for formulation of 3,959 rules of sanskrit morphology in the grammar book known as ashtadhyayi (Ashtadhyayi means eight chapters). He collected sanskrit phonology in his book Shiva Sutras, verbal roots in Dhatupada and noun roots in Ganapatha. Ashtadhayi mentions about Shakatayana (Written by Yaksha) and Gargya as references, which are not available. Commentators on Panini's work include Katyayana, Patanjali, Bharthrihari etc.