Jain Journal 2009 07

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 30

30
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLIV, NO. 1 JULY. 2009
Prākṛta and New Indo-Aryan consists of old Hindi, Gujrati, Bengali, etc. However, an approximate and compact chronological sketch, with no watertight compartments whatsoever, of all literary languages of India can be drawn in the following table:
1. Vedic and Classical Samskṛt: 1500 BC onwards.
2. Prakṛta, Pāli, Ardhamāgadhi, Sauraseni etc. 600BC-1000AD 3. New Indo Aryan: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarti etc. 1000AD onwards
Almost all classical Indian languages like Pāli, Prākṛta and Samskrta belong to the Indo-Aryan language. Among these Samskrta is the most celebrated classical language of India. Samskṛta was not only spoken as official language among scholars but also was the language of creative writings from the very beginning of the Indian literature. Prākṛta is such a language, which has the largest flexibility among all Indo-Aryan languages in terms of direct, denotative and suggestive meanings. Hence, Samskṛta was the refined and cultivated language the medium of speech of the elite, though mainly they are used for literary purpose in those days. Prākṛta can be interpreted as the natural language of the masses. We get Präkṛta Language developed with many names, viz, Māgadhi, Ardhamāgadhi, Paisaci, Pāli, Sauraseni, Māhārāṣṭri and Apabhraṁśa?.
Various studies of Prakṛta language indicate it as one of the oldest and most popular laymen's language of ancient India during early pre-Christian centuries. Mahavīra and Buddha popularized it through their sermons and consequently it became a literary language. The major subject matter of this work is related with Prākṛta canonical literature spread over many centuries.
8
6. Khadbadi, B.K. Studies in Jainology, Prakrit Literature and Language, Prakrit Bharati Academy: Jaipur, 1997, p. 298.
7. Sharma, Dinanath. Problems in Learning Prakrit language, in Contribution of Jainas to Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, ed. By J.B. Shah, SCE Research Center: Ahmedabed, 2008, p. 133-135.