The science of grammar is originated in connection with Veda-exegesis. Vyakarana in the Narada Purana says that grammar is Veda`s fa‡ade. It is dealt with case endings, masculine and feminine gender, small derivations, compounds and verbal executions.
The seven sub-vibhaktis from Prathama to Saptama are given next. In the beginning the descent of the word Rama is given in a verse admiring Lord Rama. The declination of words like Ajanta (ending in a vowel) and Halanta (ending in a consonant) also are pointed out. The Trilinga (used in all the three genders) words such as Shukta and seven pronouns like Sarva, Vishva, also are detailed.
A Pratipadika is that which, while giving a meaning, is neither a root nor an affix or suffix. To indicate gender, number in addressing or exclamation Prathama Vibhakti (nominative case) is added to a Pratipadika. Moreover Dvitya is applied with words like antara, antarena. The aprani (lifeless) Karma, if it is used with the Verb `man`, will be in Dvitya or Chaturthi, when it is meaning shows dishonour. Trtiya is also added to words saha and to an adjective qualifying an imperfect limb. Chaturthi is used with words like svaha. Panchami is added to a word when the verb indicates a sense of fear or protection; and to the words like pari, apa, and thereafter. Sasthi or Saptami vibhaktis are added to the words like swami, svara, adhipati, and in the meaning of nirdharana (decision). Sasthi is used in hetuprayogaka. When an action is being done another action also is taking place, where Saptami is used.
The words like dandagrarh, dadhidam, are given as examples of Samhita. In taddhita Pandava, sraidhara are explicated as examples. Examples of Adverbial, determinative, numeral appositional compounds have also been given briefly. Instances of attributive compounds like Praptodako gramah, rupavatbharya and few more have been given.
Certain words like lat is used in present tense, Lan is used past indefinite sense. Lot is applied in imperative manner. The ten Ganas (groups) of roots, Bhvadi, Adadi, Juhotyadi, Divadi, Svadi, Tudadi, Rudhadi, TanTidi, Kriyadi and Curadi with their verbal formations in the ten lakaras of Parasmaipada in the third person singular number also are mentioned.
The other verbal formations, causal, desiderative and different kinds of reduplicative) are provided. Active, Passive and Impersonal passive voices have been discussed.
Here Narada does not give the convention of grammar though a brief concept of some work of the Paninian school. He does not follow it absolutely. It appears that this section seems to have been done after Panini`s renewal.
Likewise, Narada`s approach to language rules is found not to be that systematic, as he provides plain examples without giving the rules.
