Introduction to Ardhamagadhi

Author(s): A M Ghatage
Publisher: School & College Book Stall

Page 14

INTRODUCTORY
I. ARDHA-MĀGADHI 1 Ardha-Māgadhi belongs to the group of Middle Indian languages (MIA) which are collectively called Prākrits. They form a connecting link between the Sanskrit language—both Vedic and Classical Sanskrit including the Epic idiom (OIA)
--and the Modern Indian languages (NIA) like Marathi, Gujarātī, Hindi, Bengāli etc. Naturally the study of any Prākrit language must be carried with constant reference to Sanskrit on the one hand and the Modern Indian languages on the other.
Only one Middle Indian language, Pāli, developed a system of grammar written in the same dialect. Even then these grammars were greatly dependent on the systems of Sanskrit grammar. The same is the case with its lexicons. The commentaries on the Pālicanon were, however, composed in the same language, though decidedly of a younger type. All these facts give the study of Pāli an independence and uniformity which is quite lacking in the study of other Prākrit dialects.
Similar must have been the position of Ardha-Māgadhi as well. We have some indications of grammars in the Prākrit languages and at least two lexicons in Prākrit are available at present. The early commentaries on the Jain canon like Nijjutti, Bhäsa and Cunni are in the same language. Soon, however, Sanskrit, began to usurp the place of Prākrit in all these fields and most of the available grammars of Prākrit are in Sanskrit. The commentaries then appeared in Sanskrit and Prākrit held its place only in nar