Introduction to the Astadhyayi as a Grammatical Device. This volume examines the notions of grammar, rule, and derivation with reference to Astadhyayi as a grammatical device. An attempt has been made to clearly outline and illustrate the basic constructs of the Paninian linguistic theory especially as they relate to the traditional views on the one hand and modern linguistic orientations on the other. A developmental history of the Paninian school focusing on major texts and trend along with a detailed treatment of rule-types, paribhasas, and samasas, complement the discussion of derivational mechanism and related conventions.