Jain Journal 2009 07

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

Page 31

Anupam Jash:The Präkrta Jaina Literature and its philosophical value
Development of Prāksta language :
The development of Prāksta language has been classified in three stages:
1. First stage (600BC-100AD): Inscriptional and Canonical Prākrta language,
2. Second stage (100AD-600AD): Normal Prāksta language, 3. Third stage (600AD-1000AD): Modern Prākrta language?
The first stage of literary Prākyta is the most important for the studies of Jaina Canons. A large number of inscrption are also found throughout the country in this time. Asokan inscription (300BC), the Hathigumpha inscription of Kalingaraja Kharvela (150BC) is very important documents of this stage. The second stage developed by the writings of Ašvaghosa (100AD), Vararuci (300AD), Pravarasena and Vakațaka (400-450AD). The third stage of Prākyta language upto about 1000AD, but references are available that a veriety of Prākst literature has been written upto the eighteenth centurylo. Thus by the continuous development, Prāksta became literary languages, generally patronized by kings identified with the Kșatriya caste, but were regarded as illegitimate by the Brahmin orthodoxy. The earliest extant usage of Prākıta is the corpus of inscriptions of Asoka, emperor of India. The various Prāksta languages are associated with different patron dynasties, with different religions (mainly Jainism) and different literary traditions, as well as different regions of the Indian subcontinent. The volumnious literature, religious royal and public patronage give this language a national importance. Moreover, the language was gramatised like Samskļta in this period which led to its standard form and therefore contracted literary nature beyond general public
8. Jain, N.L. Op. Cit., p.10. 9. Jain, N.L. Op. cit, p. 25. 10. Jain, N.L.Op. cit, p. 25.