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the development of modern Indian languages, and to scholars of advanced literary tastes. Besides Sanskrit, English, Gujarātī and Hindi languages have also been used in explaining the words in order that the volumes may be helpful to gentlemen, conversant with different important languages in India and abroad. It is now an admitted fact that Hindi is the Lingua Franca of India and English is the one common language for the vast British Enpire and other civilised countries. This dictionary explains the meanings of important terms describing the high ideals and advanced civilization of ancient India. A large number of quotations from standard works have been inserted to signify the exact connotation and use of the particular word. These quotations add considerably to our knowledge and mental pleasure. Derivations of nouns and verbs along with their equivalents have also been discussed herein. Lest some words might yet remain unexplained and unelucidated frequent use has been made of illustrations, showing the form and nature of a particular thing, signified by a word. Technical words have been written in Eaglish form with proper marks, explaining their clear pronunciation, which may be of great use to Western scholars. Thus every effort has been made to make these volumes as good and useful as possible by using the five languages. The meanings given herein do not illustrate or explain a particular creed or religion, but are clear, free from all prejudices and admittedly correct on all hands. Such a dictionary then sees the light of the day, due to the perseverance and self-sacrificing nature of a learned propounder of Jainism. I must specially invite the attention of my Jaina brethren, following a form of creed other than that of Svetambara Sthanakwasi Jainas to the fact that the volumes are expected to be useful not merely to Śvetāmbara Sthānakawāsi Jainas but also to the Digambara Jainas equally.
Difficulties in the compilation of this dictionary
It is a well-known fact that the majority of those, supposed to be well-versed in the Ardha-Magadhi form of Prakrit are the Jaina ascetics, whose religion is wholly written in this language. As enjoined by the Sastras (scriptures) a Jaina saint cannot stay in
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| SR No. | 016013 |
| Book Title | Ardhamagadhi kosha Part 1 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ratnachandra Maharaj |
| Publisher | Motilal Banarasidas |
| Publication Year | 1988 |
| Total Pages | 591 |
| Language | Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, English |
| Classification | Dictionary & Dictionary |
| File Size | 15 MB |