Advanced Prakrit Grammar Part 2

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani, Shakuntala Jain
Publisher: Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy

Page 12

Lesson 1
Verb-Sūtras: An introduction Analysis of Sutras
Introduction
It is an acknowledged fact that Acārya Hemacandra wrote the Sabda Anuśāsana of which one section is devoted to Prākṛta and Apabhramsa Grammar. In composing the section on Prākṛta and Apabhraṁśa Grammar, he chose the Samskṛta language as the medium of exposition. In order to make intelligible the Prākṛta and Apabhraṁśa Grammar, the established Sūtra-style of Samskṛta Grammar was adopted. Although the Sutras are expressed in Samskrta language, it should not imply that a special knowledge of Samskrta is required to understand Prākṛta and Apabhraṁśa Grammar. A thoughtful analysis of the Sutras has shown us that a basic knowledge of Samskṛta and Hindi or English will suffice to comprehend these Sutras.
In Lesson 1, we shall decipher and explain the Sutras concerning the formation of Verbs and Participles used in Prākṛta and Apabhramsa Grammar. In order that the Sutras may be properly assimilated, ordinary knowledge of Vowel combination, Consonant combination and Visarga combination is required. Additionally, the knowledge of Suffix-symbols and different Tenses, Persons and Numbers should be understood. In Präkṛta, there are only three Persons, First Person, Second Person and Third Person and two Numbers Singular and Plural. We see the use of Present Tense, Past Tense, Future Tense, Imperative and Conditional. In the Sutras five types of Participles are discussed: Absolutive, Infinitive, Present Participle, Past Participle and Obligatory and Potential Participle. Verbs are used in three ways: Active Voice, Passive Voice and Impersonal Form (Causative forms also given). In order to understand the Verb Sutras, the Suffix-symbols employed in the Sutras should be understood. These Suffix symbols are as follows:
Advanced Präkṛta-Apabhraṁśa-Grammar (Part-II)
1