In Search of the Original Ardhamagadhi English Translation

Author(s): K R Chandra, N M Kansara, Nagin J Shah, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

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THE STATE OF ARDHAMĀGADHI IN VARIOUS EDITIONS OF THE JAINA CANONICAL (ĀGAMIC) TEXTS (5) As to the general loss of medial unaspirate con
sonants and the change of medial aspirate consonants to 'H', this rule had not been much prevalent. The later Ācāryas have deliberately introduced changes in readings, or they have done so due to lack of understanding of ancient usages on their part. Inspite of all this, some original readings
have survived in many places. (7) During later period the Prakrit language got mixed
up, like hotch-potch, in all regions, and consequently the language of the Jaina Āgama texts
too has got mixed up likewise.? (8) Due to all these reasons it has become very dif
ficult to find out the state of the original language of the Jaina Ardhamăgadhi Agamas. These changes have occurred in every text of the Āgamas,
the Bhāsyas and the Cūrņis. (9) The Prakrit Grammar of Hemacandra is not an
adequate means for the purpose of critical research. Out of the points, enumerated above by Muni Śrī Punyavijayajī, Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 9 are highly important. In the course of our studies and researches, the present author too has been convinced that the Jaina Āgamas call for a reediting from the linguistic point of view. (B) Some Examples Of The Changes That Have Occurred
In The Ancient Language In The Course Of Time
The process by which the changes have occurred in the original ancient language of the Jaina Āgamas can be illustrated by means of some usages :
(1) The word 'TĪVITA' (a) 'sabbesaṁ jīvitam piyam - Dhammapada, 130 (b) 'savvesiṁ jīvitaṁ piyaṁ - Ācā., 78. (MJV.) The word “jīvita is found to be identical in both the
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