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

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Page 165
________________ * The Gathasaptashati occupies a foremost place in Prakrit anthologies. It is a 'muktaka' type of poetry manifesting the poetic abilities of the common people of Maharashtra. King 'Hala' of Satavahana dynasty revealed the poetic competence and intellectual abilities of the common people and invited the verses composed by them. He selected 700 'Muktakas' and offers one gold-coin for each the selected verse. Names of poets and poetesses are documented in the text. Pathos of love (shringara-rasa) is prominent but the rasas 'Hasya' and 'Veera' are also employed. Indeed this anthology stands not only as incomparable in the Indian literature but is enumerated among the world classics. Prakrits are like ever-flowing powerful currents of water. Continuous change and freshness are the distinctive features of Prakrit literature. Despite a shift of status of knowledge-language from Sanskrit to English the importance of regional dialects and sub-dialects remained the same in all the times in India. The outburst of emotions and expressions originated from the depth of heart can be articulated through the mother-tongs viz. Prakrits. * ** *** ** * 165

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