Introduction to Ardhamagadhi

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

Page 89

INTRODUCTION TO ARDHA-MĀGADHI
(S. 131.
Sanskrit Sandhi are based on preserving the quantity and quality of both the vowels coming together. The earliest stage of Sandhi is nothing but the formation of diphthongs where one of the vowels, acts as coefficient of the other. The general tendency in IndoAryan is to weaken the final of the first word. In Sanskrit itself both a and a give the same result with the following vowel and we know that the original long diphthongs (āi, āu) are represented in Sanskrit by ai and au. The next stage was to let the first short vowel fall before a heavy initial as in Prākrit and Pāli narinda. With a light initial the first step was to preserve the quantity of both as in Pāli nūpalabbhati, seyyathidam. Later on the final was fully lost as in kumārassuvari. Thus the peculiar Prākrit Sandhi was formed by dropping the final before a long initial or one heavy by position.
132 When similar vowels come together they combine to form long vowels :
(i) 37 or 377+37 or 347 = 37: fa + sila = sifatpira living and lifeless things; धम्म+अधम्म = धम्माधम्म religion and irreligion; +3769 = fere things to be done and not done; prestales = arrears proper and improper time; sfora+SITIR sfpirir intention and gestures; it + 3 = fiere singing and other arts; ET + TAM = larant end of religious discourse; + = ante as the chief of the low caste men; past+3mpre = arra the teacher of arts.
(ii) or $ +5 or g = $ : geef +$= gefter the lord of earth; ytt e = Forrere great sage.
(iii) 3 or 5+3 or 5= 3: +355= TEM abundant water; H16 +3EM=HTEGT sweet water.
This Sandhi is often not observed as in : samaņamāhanaaihi; dagaagani ; indanilaayasikusuma; mahāadavi; manaagutti. Desire for clarity appears to be the main reason.
133 If however, the second vowel is followed by a conjunct the result of the Sandhi is a short vowel: •