________________
परिशिष्ट
285
original Ardhamāgadhi, and hence in setting up the text they should be preferred over other modernized readings. In support of his contention Chandra has presented some typical case-studies. He has also examined the treatment accorded to Ardhamāgadhi by Hemacandra in the Prakrit section of the latter's grammar. Thus these studies put forth a strong and convincing plea for restoring the original character of the language of the Ardhamāgadhi canonical texts (some sections and portions of which probably go back to the pre-Asokan period) so far as it is possible on the basis of all the available relevant texual data. Ahmedabad
- Prof. H. C. Bhayani 11-12-91
This treatise, Prācin Ardha-Măgadhi ki khoj.mem, 'In Search of the Original Ardha-Māgadhi' written in Hindi by K.R. Chandra, is one of the finest specimens of research on Ardha-Māgadhi (=Amg.). The author is to be congratulated for taking pains in doing such a productive research work. The main purpose of the author is to find out the original features of Amg. in which the canonical literature of the Svetāmbaras was written.
The book has eight chapters, and a detailed content where each point of the text discussed is indicated. It has a short bibliography as well. But it does not liave any word-index.
We are grateful to the author for presenting such a thoughtprovoking research work. The arguments put forward by the author for finding out the original features of Amg. are praiseworthy. In the debris of different readings, Dr. Chandra, intending to find out the criginal Amg., has compared the Prakrit forms with the Asokan inscriptions and Pali canons, and in his opinion, what corresponds with these two languages must be regarded as the original old readings of the Svetāmbara canons. He further adds that during the long period of transmission, lots of original readings have undergone changes, sometimes beyond recognition at the hands of the copyists, and, as a result, we have these confused readings of the Agama texts. While accepting his arguinents, it can also be added
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
