This monograph owes its existence to certain puzzles in universal
grammar and the theory of language which led the author to an
investigation of word order in Sanskrit and its possible analyses and
descriptions. Not unexpectedly, the raw material was found to be too
vast for a first-hand treatment even to be attempted. Rather
surprisingly, however, its inter- pretations by Indian and Western
theorists and grammarians turned out to be so greatly at variance, that
an analysis of these interpretations seemed rewarding. Accordingly,
theoretical issues within the framework of generative grammar had to be
faced anew, and alternative solutions suggested them- selves. In this
connexion the Sanskrit grammarians proved not only in- spiring but
positively helpful. This book may invite the accusation that it wilfully
mixes disciplines. There were alternatives: one could try to write a
history of the subject; or construct a merely formal edifice, leaving it
to others to test its adequacy; or else one could make the notorious
attempt to stick to the facts, which is not only unilluminating but also
bound to fail. Any such self-imposed restrictions seemed to conflict
with the original intent. And so it was decided not only to make
available the results of the investigation into Sanskrit word order, but
also to introduce a theory of universal grammar to account for these and
other results.