First steps

Reading Pāṇini is far from straightforward. The Aṣṭādhyāyī is a complex system rather than a straightforward text, even if it also encodes instructions for its own use.

Accordingly, access to the system requires initiation into its mechanisms.

"Given the complexity, subtlety, and terseness of Pāṇini’s engine, it isn’t surprising that there are areas of ambiguity within the Aṣṭādhyāyi (bugs!) and consequent controversy around his heavily technical sūtras, which are often couched in an algebraic meta-language which would be completely unintelligible even to a highly sophisticated Sanskrit speaker of his time who lacked specialized training." Chandra 2019

There is an apparatus in the Indian tradition for this process of initiation.

One route is via the Laghusiddhantakaumudi. Medhā Michika has written a study guide for Pāṇini's grammatical system using the Laghusiddhantakaumudi: Michika 2017 Vol 1. The first four sections of this study are available for download at the website of the Arsha Avinash Foundation.

I propose to begin in this way.

Michika's work presents the Pāṇinian sūtras together with an apparatus: the vṛttis, and relevant paribhāṣā rules. Michika supplements the Laghusiddhantakaumudi where required (e.g. with a section on the paribhāṣā-sūtrāṇi).