Comprehensive Critical Dictionary of Prakrit Languages Volum 01

Author(s): A M Ghatage
Publisher: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

Page 8

INTRODUCTION
1. THE TITLE
scope of this work the whole of the Pali literature and
extra-Indian Prakrit dialects and some of the early The full title of the presert lexical work is .A
inscriptions in MIA I ke those of Asoka. This exclusion Comprehensive and Critical Dictionary of the Prakrit
is based on two considerations: (1) excellent dictioLarguages with special reference to Jain literature'.
darles are available for Pali literature and an exhaustivo This designation is chosen to ind cate the main features
one is already in progress. Glossaries for the excluded of the work Compared to the available dictionaries of
dialects and inscriptions are also known and meet the the Prakrits, old and new this dictiorary is intended
needs sufficiently well. (2) Technically the different 10 cover all the available leximes in the Prakrit languages
modes of writing of these dialects make it difficult to and as such aims at comprehensiveness as far as the
include the words in the alphabetical order of the Prakrit literature is concerned It is meant to be
Prakrit Dictionary and their inclusion as separate critical in the sense that wh le using the literature for
entries will cnly increase the bulk of the work without this purpose a crical : ttitude is cons'stently followed,
real advantage. However, whenever an etymology of and echtem is examined and all quotations for is are
the Prakrit word is attempted, this material is given thoroughly corrected wherever necessary with all the
due consideration The reference to Jain literature is ava lable material, and are fully interpreted. This is
intended to draw attention to the fact that an extensive essential recau' e most of the Prakrit works which are
material is available here and that the semantic analysis at present available are not critically edited and proverly
of the peculiar and technical words from this literature translated in the case of editions of the canonical
is expected to yield a rich harvest and is in need of texts, there are 00 many differences among them, because they are published at different times and are
some amount of special explanation to understand them. worked with divergent principles which are often contrary
The position which the Apabbrainsa literature occupies
in the history of Indo-Aryan languages fully justifies to each other being based upon d flerent views of their
its inclusion in the Dictionary. All the material bearing nature Equally chaotic is the method used for the
on the so-called Vibbaşas sub-dialects of Prakrits being purpose of giving references 10 passages and many of
scanty will be included in the scope of this work. But the the entries are based on memo y of the dictior ry
bulk of the Dictionary will be formed by the chief Prakrit makers. Sometimes an attempt is made to put a
languages namely Ardha-Magadhi, Jain Maharastri, Sanskrit word into Prakri: without any thought being
Jain-Sauraseni, Maharastri, Sauraseni, Magadhị and given to its actul cccurrence in the Prakrit lang age.
Apabbrainst and illustrations from them will be used Short of preparing complete critical editions of the vorks
throughout A complete list of books used for this used for this dicticnary, an attempt is made to present
Dictionary is given separately along with the abbreviathe words and examples in as critical a form as possible
tions used and the mode of reference followed. It with the available material A consistent and ensily
contains nearly 500 works and thus covers almost all verifiable mode of reference is used which will heltbe
the material available in the Prakrit languages. reader to trace the passages in different editions. The meanings given are based on a thorough consideration
II. LEXICAL MATERIAL IN FRAKRIT of all the evidence available includ ng the traditional interpretations and for this purpose extracts from the For a better understanding of the nature of the commentarial literature are given in their proper places present dictionary, it may be u-eful to give a brief with references. By the expression. Prakrit languages' survey of the lexical material available for the Prakrits it is intended to take the word in the sense in wh ch it included in this dictionary. As compared with Sanskrit has been used in Indian Classical literature as a whole and Pali, the traditional lexical material for the trakrits and more particularly its use as found in the traditional is definitely scanty and not of much significance. It Prakrt grammars, works on rhetories and dramaturgy. is true that the vast comment rial literature on the In this sense the word · Prakrits' is not co-extensive AMg, canon and post-canonical works both in JM. and with what the modern linguists cll the Middle Indo- JS. often cite a few passages which appear like bits of Aryan languages (MIA). Hence we exclude froribe Kosis of the traditional type, just as they quote a few