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PREFACE.
It is an established fact that Prakrit had once been the chief language in India, and religious and important literary works of different castes and creeds have been written in this language. Such monumental works prove beyond doubt the lofty ideals and brilliant progress of India in olden days. Archæologists and scholars have discovered its outstanding and chosen works from time to time and have appreciated the high ideals with which the language is well neigh saturated. Its richness in thought and classical literature has thus attracted the attention of scholars both in the East and the West and has made them discover its hidden literature from time to time with increasing zeal and devotion. It may safely be said that the works have a shining flush of their own and have awakened the curiosity of men of letters more and more with the advance of research work. The importance of its literature has carved its way for being prescribed in the different Eastern and Western Universities. The greatness of ancient India in general and of Jainism in particular lies in the depths of this language. It is the mother of almost all Aryan languages in India and due to its resourcefulness is the key note to the real comprehension of other languages and dialects, once pre valent in India and now in some form or other connected with its vast literature. This should speak for the importance of the language in the annals of India and her people. That there should be no dictionary on scientific lines for such an all-absorbing literature is in itself pitiable.
It is an admitted fact that no language can be rightly understood without its grammar and dictionary. This speaks for the pressing necessity of compiling these volumes. Ardha-Magadhi is the one important offshoot of this great language as is evident from the fact that the great Tirthankara Mahāvīra of enlightened intelligence preached the sacred tenets of the great religion in this form of Prakrit language. As has already been remarked, no
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