32  The Persian Period.   Herodotus: Ktesias

Panini in the feminine form Yavandni. The commentator
Katyayana says this is used of Yavandnllipi, the Greek script.
Goldstiicker, in his learned book on Panini, his place in
Sanskrit Literature (London, 1861), says Panini was before
Buddha (568-488 b.c). But India could hardly have heard
of the Greek alphabet before Darius, even though Panini lived
in Gandhara. Goldstiicker suggests cuneiform, but this is
hardly suitable. If, on the other hand, we were to accept the
late tradition connecting Panini with the last Nanda king, it
would be quite easy to see that Panini was familiar with
Greek letters on coins. The expression may possibly be used
of Kharoshihi.