Sage Katyayana is believed to have lived during the 3rd or 4th
century BC. He is also known as Vararuchi. He is the author of Varttika kara or
Varttikas. Katyayana’s Varttikas are meant to correct, modify or supplement the
rules of Panini’ Grammar wherever necessary.
Of the nearly 4000 sutras of Panini, about 1500 were covered
by Sage Katyayana. Doubts and objections were raised and most cases were solved
through correction.
Some scholars are of the view that Katyayana lived 100 years
after Panini. But as per Kathasaritasagara, he was contemporary of Panini.
Other texts that are credited to Sage Katyayana are
- Prakrtapraksa, a grammar of the prakrit language.
- Sarvanukramani of Rig Veda
- Katyayanagrhya Sutra
- Prakritamanjari