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below22:
(i) Ardha-māgadhi consists of half Magadhi (by
ii) Ardha-māgadhi represents the language of half of
derivation).
Magadha.
Prākṛta Bhāṣā : 23
(iii) It represents the conglomerate of 18 native
languages.
(iv) It is the combination of all languages.
(v) It is a pleasant and happy language which is automatically transformed into the languages of Aryans, nonAryansand even animals.
vi) it is the mixture of Magadhi and many native
languages.
(vii) It is the co-ordinated forms of Māgadhi and Saurasen.or Mahārāṣtri.
(vi) It is characterised by half the characteristics (two out of three) of Magadhi.
It has been opined that Ardha-māgadhi originates from Ayodhya (brth-place of Lord Rṣabha, U. P. ) a central KāşiKośala country between Magadh and Śūrasena. Hoernie and Grearson suport the view. This means that it may be developed some three hundred years later than Šauraseni though it has influenced it i later periods. Ardha-māgadhi has also been influenced by Smskṛta, neighbouring native language including Mundā and Draiḍa ones. Mārkaṇḍeya, however, calls it as derived from Saraseni due to neighbourness. The opinion of Kramadiśvara at original Ardha-magadhi is a mixture of Māgadhi and Maārāṣṭri does not seem to be correct. Of course it may represent he current canons compiled in about 453-63 A. D. It may also e true for dramas composed in western India in later dates. Thearlier Ardha-māgadhi has an eastern tinge and it has many nanes and varieties. The fact, however, is that the Ardha-māgadthas some characteristics of both Māgadhi and Sauraseni as sown below:
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