paṭhataḥ ṭīkām

 The phrase "paṭhataḥ ṭīkām" can be broken down into its Sanskrit 

components with grammatical and contextual interpretation:

paṭhataḥ (पठतः)

• Part of speech: Present active participle form (PAP) of the 
• root √paṭh (“to read, recite, or study”).
• Morphology:
  • Singular sense: can be genitive/ablative singular depending 
  • on context.
  • Plural sense (more common in textual usage): accusative 
  • plural referring to the reciters themselves (e.g., Brahmins or students).
• Meaning: “while reciting,” “those who recite,” or “reciting them.”

ṭīkām (टीकाम्)

• Noun: Feminine, accusative singular from ṭīkā.
• Meaning: “commentary” or “explanatory note” on a primary text.

Combined Meaning

• paṭhataḥ ṭīkām literally translates to:
  “reading/commenting the commentary” or
• “while reciting the commentary.”
• Contextually, it refers to the action of reciting a textual commentary on a scriptural work, often in Vedic, Puranic, or philosophical traditions.

Usage in Literature

• As seen in sources such as the Dwadasha Stotra of Madhvacharya, 
• Agni Purana, and other Sanskrit texts, paṭhataḥ is frequently used
• to denote the act of recitation by scholars or students, often 
• preceding verses or commentaries.
• The phrase denotes both literacy practice and ritualistic reading,
• emphasizing correct pronunciation, understanding, and 
• comprehension of the commentary.

Summary

• Literal: “Reciting the commentary”
• Grammatical:
  • paṭhataḥ: present active participle of √paṭh, accusative plural 
  • (referring to reciters)
  • ṭīkām: accusative singular noun, feminine
• Contextual: Refers to the act of reading or reciting a scholarly 
• commentary in a religious or educational setting.

Thus, "paṭhataḥ ṭīkām" describes the act of reciting a commentary 

on a sacred or literary text.