________________
(c)
men of distinction at the palace, he would have to converse with them in Sanskrit, which would be the official language of administration, judiciary, correspondence within the state or inter-state, royal proclamations, edicts or such other important political documents. Meeting ladies of the uppar classes, he will find them talking to him in Prakrit, chiefly the Sauraseni. Stepping on the streets, he will come across masses of men belonging to the lower strata of the society, engaged in various professions and occupations, who would speak in their own native, 'unrefined', Apabhramśa-like dialect, since literacy might not be quite high in those days. Visiting temples, Sanghas, Pariṣads or Mathas where teaching, discussions, debates or conferences of a religious or. metaphysical nature are carried on, he would find that Sanskrit alone is the medium of dialogues among the participants. Going over to the theatrical halls for entertainment, he would witness the dances or the dramatic
performances of playwrights like Kālīdāsa, Śrīharṣa or their contemporary Bhavabhūti, presented in diverse dialects. For musical concerts, the songs selected might be mainly from Prakrit or even Apabhramsa, like those in the dramas of Kalidasa, while for the illiterate masses, popular folk-songs or lyrical melodies, mainly in their provincial dialect viz. Apabhramsa, might have been the only feature of their entertainment.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
