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## The Mahavipurana
The Sanskrit language is known for its well-structured and refined nature. Its Sanskrit name, "Anvārtha Saṁjñā," signifies its meaningfulness. This language, without violating the rules laid down by its originators, has been prevalent in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. While there have been changes in the language from the Vedic period to the present, these changes are relatively minor. However, observing contemporary texts compels us to acknowledge its evolution over time.
Scholars who understand the essence of language have divided the history of Sanskrit into three periods:
1. **Śruti Kāla:** Chintamani Vinayak Vaidya identified this period as the first, encompassing the Vedas.
2. **Smṛti Kāla:** This period, the second, extends from the time of Yāska and Pāṇini to the time of the Mahābhāṣyakāra Patañjali.
3. **Bhāpya Kāla:** This period, the third, is characterized by the writing of commentaries on various philosophical texts.
Sir Bhaṇḍārkar, prioritizing the language's structure, identified three periods:
1. **Saṁhitā Kāla:** This period, the first, encompasses the Vedic Saṁhitās.
2. **Madhya Saṁskṛta Kāla:** This period, the second, is characterized by the use of Middle Sanskrit.
3. **Laukika Saṁskṛta Kāla:** This period, the third, is characterized by the use of colloquial Sanskrit. This period is further divided into three stages.
To understand the gradual development of the Sanskrit language, it is essential to examine its various stages:
1. **Saṁhitā Kāla:** This stage includes the Vedic Saṁhitās, which contain numerous hymns. The Sanskrit of this period is significantly different from the Sanskrit of today. The pronunciation of words in this language requires special attention to the tones, such as udātta. The only grammar that can explain the words of this period is the Pāṇini grammar.
2. **Brāhmaṇa Kāla:** This stage, following the Saṁhitā Kāla, encompasses the Brāhmaṇas, Āraṇyakas, and Upanishads. This period is known as the "Brāhmaṇa Kāla." The language of this period is less archaic than the Saṁhitā Kāla, and the rules of Pāṇini grammar are generally applicable. The compositions of this period are simple, concise, and rich in verbs. The Saṁhitā Kāla and Brāhmaṇa Kāla can be considered part of the Śruti Kāla.
3. **Smṛti Kāla:** This stage, following the Śruti Kāla, extends to the time of the Mahābhāṣyakāra Patañjali. This period is considered to have begun with Yāska and Pāṇini. The language of this period is found in numerous sūtra texts, the Rāmāyaṇa, and the Mahābhārata. The compositions of this period are also simple, like those of the Śruti Kāla, and free from long compounds. The Śruti Kāla used many verbs that could not be explained by grammar and were considered acceptable as "Āṛṣa usage." These usages gradually declined during this period.
4. **Bhāṣya Kāla:** This stage saw the writing of commentaries on various philosophical sūtra texts. The commentators seemed to be in a race to expand the simple and concise compositions of the sūtras. Commentaries were written on sūtra texts of various subjects, including logic, grammar, and religion. The language of this period was also simple, free from long compounds, and accessible to the common people.
5. **Purāṇa Kāla:** Although the Purā