Book Title: Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02
Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune

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Page 164
________________ All the famous classical Sanskrit dramas of Kalidas, Bhasa, Bhavabhuti etc. contain almost 50% dialogues in Prakrit. The comedian, lay-man, ascetic, sage, child, woman and low-caste persons are prescribed to use Prakrit languages in dramas. The readers and teachers have always ignored these Prakrits and the relay on the Sanskrit adoptions (chaya) of Prakrit portions. The Prakritists realize the flavor of the idiomatic expressions of the Prakrit dialogues. A drama written totally in Prakrit is called Sattaka. Rajshekhara's Karpurmanjaree based on singing and dance in the oldest form of 'Loknatya'. Sanskrit treatises on poetics discuss in details the nature of poetry, poetic merits and demerits, style of poetry, figures of speech as well as various 'rasas' and 'bhavas'. The examples of 'shringara', 'hasya', 'karuna' and 'shanta' are quoted from Prakrit poetries by the Sanskrit rhetoricians. Almost three thousand Prakrit 'gathas' are located by scholars which are incorporated in the Sanskrit texts. iv) Use of Deshi Words Prakrit languages consist many Sanskrit words and words derived or simplified from Sanskrit words. But the speciality of Prakrits is the profuse use of Deshi words. These are the purely colloquial forms and in no way can be derived from Sanskrit. A dictionary of Deshi words is written by the Jaina sage Hemachandra in the 12th Century. Some of the words are likewise : potta-belly, daddara-staircase, bappa-father, dimkuna-bug, jhada-tree, khidakki-window, chukka-to fall, choppada-to anoint etc. v) Some Classics in Prakrit Literature * Ardhamagadhi text 'Achara' (part I) is written in the style of Upanishads. 'Rishibhashita' presents the reflections of 45 contemporary thinkers. The manuscripts of 'Kalpsutra' are very attractive and colorful with miniature paintings. Ample narratives concerned to Chanakya or Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya throw light on the hoary past of Indian History, * 'Paumachariya' written in old Prakrit is the first Jaina version of Ramayana which is distinct from Valmiki Ramayana. * Vasudevahindi consists the interesting tales about the wanderings of Vasudeva, father of Lord Krishna. It is really the rich mine of ancient Indian folk-stories. *Samaradityakatha is a large classic novel written a very lucid style to advocate the theory of Karma and rebirth. * In Dhurtakhyana a conference of 500 cheats is presented. A new style of satire full of parody and ridiculance is developed by the authors. A competition is declared. Khandpana, a woman rogue wins the competitions. She arranges a grand lunch for all cheats skillfully, not spending a penny out of her own pocket. *Kuvalayamala is a blend of prose and poetry. It is basically a love story. Due to its occasional descriptions exhibit rich socio-cultural data of the 8th Cen.A.D. Kuvalayamala stands as inevitably in the study of Prakrit literature. 164

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