Prakritsarvaswam

SR No.: 001369
Original Sutra Author: Markandey
Author: Krushnachandra Acharya
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 424
Language: Prakrit, Sanskrut, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Grammar
File Size: 20 MB

Page 20

PREFACE
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1. Märkandeya : His date, place and works. II. Critical observation on the word Prāksta in the light of
Prākrit grammars including Präkrtasarvasva. III. A critical analysis of the classification of Prākrit dialects
by grammarians including Mārkaņdeya. IV. Forgotten works known to Márkandeya.
V. Source and importance of the work.
Hitherto Mk. was believed by most of the scholars to have flourished in the seventeenth century. But with solid arguments I have shown that he flourished in the sixteenth century and wrote his grammar while Mukundadeva, the last independent king of Orissa, was ruling. Apart from his PS and Vilasavatisattaka which he claims to have composed in the grammar itself, he also composed a complete Mahākávya named Daśagrivavadhamahakävya which has been published by the Orissa Sahitya Akademi. Thus his title Kavindra finds full justification in his outstanding poetic genius,
In the second section an analytic approach to the etymology of the word Prāksta in the light of the interpretations of both western and eastern scholars with special reference to Mk. has been given.
The third section, longest as it is, is devoted to classification of Prakrit dialects by various grammarians and the improvement of Mk. over all of them. The fourfold division of Prakrit such as Bhāṣā, Vibhășă, Apabhramsa and Paisāci as given by Mk. has been elaborately discussed from linguistic aspect with a comparative study of the views of both ancient and modern authorities on Prakrit. New light has been thrown on the nature of each Prakrit dialect including the Vibhāṣā. A new interpretation with regard to the term Vibhāsā has also been given. The most intricate passages as in case of Sākāri Vibhāṣā which even baffled GRIERSON have been satisfactorily explained.
Mk is the most informative among all the Präkrit grammarians. He cites a number of passages in his work from unknown