Higher Education and Research in Prakrits and Jainology

Author(s): Gokulchandra Jain
Publisher: Sampurnanda Vishva Vidyalaya Varanasi

Page 18

Prakrit literature, uoparalled in iis vast extent and astonishingly of varied interest, forms ac integral part of it. Accient and the Medieval heritage of the coustry and stands on czual sog.isg with Sanskrii and Pali studies, Prakrit studies should b: takea to include all the Middle Indo-Aryan Languages iccluding Niya and ihe :o called Gzedbāri Prakrits to give them a broader 2nd deeper perspective.
It has been clearly located and icerified by a band of scholars that the origins and growth of almost all the modern Indian languages are intimately connected with the Piakrits, and thai the knowledge of Prakrits is quite essential for the proper understanding and efficient development of the differeni regional languages of both ine indo-Aryan and the Dravidian families, wbich are bound to play a far more central role in the academic life of the coudiry in the cars to come. Jo this connectioz scholars have pointedly drawn the attentio) to the importanz and value of the Apahians? 121guages and literature which coss.itate their immediate precursors. Along wită the oina: Fell-kno7n aspects of tie Prakrit 1202u2gcs as a whole, ihe Apabhrams2 stands in urgent need of an intensive and careful study.
In jem of the importance and s2lue of Higher Eduziion 20d Research in Prakrits and Jaipology ihe objective should os formulated in the light of recent treacs of research ani Rational Policy.
Prakrits azd Jaipolozy cover a duch wider sphere than they are sometimes understood and misreprescated by some scholars for their own Teasons. The latest Polic Frame formuizied by University Grants Commission most appropriately apply to these siudies, because tõe basic object of Pszkriis and Juicolozz is to promote hum20 values acd cultural heritage of the people.
Higser Education
Higher Educ:ion in Prakrits 201 Jainology has yet to be planed in the light of the linguistic and cultural values of these studies. They must ce brougat in closer relation to iaciode all the middle Indo-Aryza diziects on one hani 28á regiotal 129guages on toe oicer. Jairological studies in particular should be broagai ia closer reiziion to the other subjects of Humanities 20i Social Sciences like Päilosophy, Reiigioas Siudies, Accient Iodizo History, Culture and Archaeology, History of