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60
प्राकृतसर्वस्वम् ।
different manner, which will be discussed later on. In this context, it is curious to note that Vr. does not ex. pressly mention the name of Mahārāştrī till at last he says sesam mahārāstrīvat which happens to be the last Sū. of the last chapter, i.e., XII. 32. This chapter conspicuous by the absence of Bhāmaha's commentary on it, is suspected to be an interpolation by some critics. But the colophon of this chapter in COWELL'S edition shows that it once contained Bbāmaha's commentary which was later lost. Some scholars are of opinion that the basic structure of Vr's PPK originally consisted of the first eight or nine chapters and dealt with Prākrit only (See Les Gram., pp. 15ff, and also PPK ed. by K. RAJA ) This Prākrit again, according to some, was later identified with Mahārāştri.
Next to Vr. in antiquity is perhaps Caņda to whom is ascribed the Prākrtalaksana. The dialect mainly dealt with by CD is Mahārāştri. Among other Pkts treated are Apabhramśa, Paisācikā, Māgadhikā, Arşa and Sauraseni. Besides these the treatment of Amg, Jaina M and Jaina Ś is noticeable. Some points of similarity in the treatment of several dialects both in CD and Ho are remarkable, a fact which has led the critics to the view that either of them modelled his grammar after the other. Which of the two authors is anterior to the other is still a doubtful question and its solution is yet to be found out. Again CD is supposed to be anterior to Vr. HOERNLE is of this view with which PISCHEL, however, does rot agree.
5. Bloch remarks that the grammar of CD is an inaccurate and superficial abridgement of another work, may be perhaps even of Hc. See Vararuci and Hemacandra, p. 8.
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