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Mahārāștri and Jaina Mahārāștrī
In Bharata's Nātyaśāstra, (2nd 3rd Cen. B.C.) 7 Bhāṣās and Vibhasās are mentioned. Mahārāstrī is not enumerated in it. Some scholars tried to prove that Dākşinātyā of Bharata is
Mahārāstrī. Others did not agree with it. In Canda's Prākrtalaksana (3rd 4th Cen. A.D.), Vararuci's Prākstaprakāśa (6th Cen. A.D.) and in Siddhahemavyākarana (12th Cen. A.D.)
Mahārāstrī is treated in the beginning as Sāmānya Prākrta or Ārsa Prākrta. From the date of Dandin (6th Cen. A.D.) onwards it is named Mahārāstrī and is thought to be the best Prakrit in which famous epics were composed. (Dandin-Kāvyādarsa 1.35). He says that the language originated in Mahārāstra is Mahārāștri.
Dr. Hornle points out that 'Mahārāstra includes Rājputānā and Madhya-desa at that time. If we observe the proficiency of the Jaina writers over this language, it is quite obvious that this Mahā-rāstra (Big region) includes, today's geographical Mahārāstra, lower part of Gujrath, Madhyapradesh and also upper part of Karnataka. At least we can assume that the people residing in this bigger central part of India were able to understand the Mahārāstrī used by Jaina Ācāryas.
It is observed by the eminent scholars like Jacobi, Pischel and Konow that in classical Skt. dramas, the Prakrit used in prose passages by ladies and lower characters is Sauraseni. We can say that Mahārāstrī used by non-Jaina authors in Skt. dramas, Epics and Anthologies like Gāhāsattasai was quite favorable for poetical compositions. Jaina Ācāryas used it for both, i.e. poetry as well as prose. The scholars like Jacobi and Pischel named it as Jaina Mahārāstri. The name become very popular and accepted by late Dr. A.M.Ghatge in Prakrit-English comprehensive
dictionary. Svetāmbara writers started their JM, writings in 3d Century A.D. and continued up to
15th Century A.D. In the early centuries of Christian Era, two prominent languages were in vogue viz. Sauraseni and Mahārāstrī. During this period, the differences between Sve. and Dig. were quite clear. Since Dig. had already started their philosophical writings in Sauraseni, naturally Sve. writers chose Mahārāstrī for their post-canonical writings. A new literary style was developed which was suitable for their philosophical, doctrinal, didactic and conductual writings.
Close association of Jaina Ācāryas with Mahārāșțra
Due to various reasons like severe famines, political unrest and foreign invasions, the religious activities of Jaina Samgha were naturally shifted towards Madhya-desa and Southern lands.
From the legendary histories of Jainas (viz. Vividhatirthakalpa, Prabandhakośa, Prabhāvakacarita etc.) it is known that many influential Sve. Ācāryas were in close contact with Mahārāstra.
It is known from the history of Ancient India that after the death of Asoka, Andhrābhrtya
Sātavāhana Kings ruled over Mahārāstra from 3rd Century B.C. up to 3rd Century A.D. In Prabandhakośa, Rājasekhara mentions,
