Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

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24 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
Magadhi Characteristics Saurseni Characteristics (i) Use of 'l' in place of 'r' Use of palatal 's' in place of
cerebral or dental 's'. (ii) Use of 'e' in place of Use of 'o' in place of 'e'
Visarga in singular number of first inflection.
Use of 'g' in place of 'k'. Use of 'Kkha' in place of 'kaha'.
Use of mostly active voice Ardha-māgadhi developed as a Lingua Franca cue to its religious, royal and public patronage in Magadhan east. However, Samskrta became dominant there after Miuryan period. This led its road towards west and south wheret grew and we get the written forms of canonical literature. Mihārāștri also developed in west and became the standard lançuage for Jaina compositions later. Ardha-magadhi Literature
There is ample literature in this language spreding over many centuries. The major portion of this literature:onsists of Jaina canons. That is why this is called the languageof (canons of) Jainas as Pāli is noted for Buddhist canons.
The Prākrta literature has been classified23 irthree ways(i) Period-wise, (ii) Linguistically and (iii) Literrily. The last way is most important for us. Period-wise, the lierature could be classified in three classes - (i) Preliminary priod ( 600 B. C. to 100 A. D. ), (ii) Middle period ( 101-800 D.) and (iii) Modern period ( 600-1600 A. D. ). Linguisticily, Shastri has classified its eight varieties. However, literarily there are nine classes of Prākrta literature as below :
(i) Jaina canonical literature including sibhāṣita (500200 B. C.)
(ii) Inscriptional literature ( 300-150 : C.) (iii) Classical epics (iv) Dramatics ( 100-200 A. D.)