In ancient Indian grammatical tradition, who composed the work Ashtadhyayi, the highly systematic treatise on Sanskrit grammar consisting of eight chapters?

Introduction / Context:
Ashtadhyayi is one of the most important works in the history of linguistics and Sanskrit grammar. Composed in ancient India, it presents a highly systematic and concise set of grammatical rules for Sanskrit, arranged in eight chapters. Understanding who authored this influential text is a standard general knowledge question, especially in exams that cover Indian culture and intellectual history. Identifying the correct author also helps you connect other works and traditions of grammar to the right historical figures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The text in question is Ashtadhyayi, literally meaning the eight chapter book.
• It is a treatise on Sanskrit grammar of great importance.
• The options include several famous ancient authors: Ved Vyasa, Panini, Shukadeva, Valmiki and Patanjali.
• We have to identify which of these actually composed Ashtadhyayi.

Concept / Approach:
In Indian grammatical tradition, Panini is universally recognised as the author of Ashtadhyayi. He is considered a pioneering grammarian whose work codified Sanskrit in an extremely compact and rule based form. Ved Vyasa is associated with the Mahabharata and many Puranas, Valmiki with the Ramayana, Shukadeva with the narration of the Bhagavata Purana, and Patanjali with the later Mahabhashya commentary on Panini s grammar. These associations make it clear that among the given names, Panini is the correct author of Ashtadhyayi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Ashtadhyayi is a foundational text for Sanskrit grammar, structured into eight chapters of sutras or concise rules. Step 2: Remember that Panini, an ancient Indian grammarian, is historically credited with writing this work. Step 3: Identify that Ved Vyasa is mainly known for composing the Mahabharata and compiling the Vedas, not for writing grammar treatises. Step 4: Valmiki is traditionally the author of the Ramayana, and Patanjali is famous for the Yoga Sutras and the Mahabhashya commentary. Step 5: Match this information with the options and choose Panini as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard reference on Sanskrit grammar or Indian philosophy will clearly state that Panini wrote Ashtadhyayi. Scholars often describe his work as one of the earliest and most advanced examples of linguistic analysis in the world. Patanjali, who came later, wrote a detailed commentary called Mahabhashya on Panini s grammar, which further confirms that Panini is the original author of the Ashtadhyayi text, not Patanjali himself.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ved Vyasa: Associated with the Mahabharata and the organisation of the Vedic corpus, not with the Ashtadhyayi. Shukadeva: Traditionally known as the narrator of the Bhagavata Purana, not a grammarian of Sanskrit rules. Valmiki: Revered as the author of the Ramayana, a great epic, and not known for an eight chapter grammar text. Patanjali: A major commentator on Panini s grammar and the author of the Yoga Sutras, but not the original writer of Ashtadhyayi.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Panini and Patanjali because both are linked with Sanskrit grammar. However, it is essential to remember that Panini authored the original sutra text Ashtadhyayi, while Patanjali wrote the Mahabhashya commentary on it. Another error is to mix up literary authors such as Valmiki and Ved Vyasa with technical writers in grammar. Keeping a clear mental mapping of each historical figure to their primary work is an effective way to avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
The classical Sanskrit grammar work Ashtadhyayi was composed by Panini.