ASHTADHYAYI , Sanskrit Astadhyayi ( " Eight Chapters " ) , Sanskrit treatise on grammar written in the 6th to 5th century bce by the Indian grammarian Panini . This work set the linguistic standards for Classical Sanskrit . It sums up in 4000 sutras the science of phonetics and grammar that had evolved in the Vedic religion . Panini divided the work into eight chapters , each of which is further divided into quarter chapters .Beyond defining the morphology and syntax of Sanskrit language , Ashtadhyayi distinguishes between usage in the spoken language and usage that is proper to the language of the sacred texts .The Ashtadhyayi is generative as well as descriptive .