Pratshakhya is a genus of Sanskrit grammatical treatises that establish the phonetic and grammatical features of Vedic texts in accordance with the traditions of different shakhas . In literal translation, "Pratishakhya" means "referring to individual shakhs." Together with the " Nirukta ", Yaski Pratishakhya are the oldest monuments of the Sanskrit grammar school. The Pratishakhyas that have come down to us are monuments to the activities of the four Vedic shakhs and mention more than 30 names of ancient Sanskrit grammars. In Nirukta, Pratishakhya is called “compulsory textbooks of all shakhs.” Pratishakhya explain in detail the pronunciation, stress, verse dimensions and other conditions for proper oral reading of texts. They also give precise instructions regarding the various ways of presenting the text in order to safeguard it from changes. We were reached by four Pratishkhya:
- Pratishakhya to the Rig Veda , which belongs to the school of Jackal and is attributed to Saunaka
- Pratshakhya to "Krishna Yajur-veda" ("Taittiriya-Pratishakhya")
- Pratishakhya to “Shukla Yajur- veda ” attributed to Katyayane (“Vajasanei-pratishakhya”)
- Pratishakhya to the "Atharva Veda" ("Saunakiya-chaturadhyaka") attributed to Saunaka .
A small treatise of grammatical content - “Sama-Tantra”, containing instructions regarding the stress and accentuation of individual verses of “Sama Veda” —was probably originated in a later era.