Jain Journal 2009 07

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

Page 32

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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLIV.NO. I JULY, 2009
Different dialects of Prāksta:
When Lord Mahāvīra and Lord Buddha preached in this language to the common people, this language was wide-spread. Thenceforth, we get Praksta developed with many names, since it was current among common people across the country. Consequently different Praksta came into being with the different names. The Prāksta grammarians give a sketchy description of various Prākrta dialects. These are : (i) Māgadhi (ii) Ardhamāgadhi (iii) Māhārastrī, (iv) Saurasenī (v) Apabhramśa (vi) Paiśācī (vii) Cūlikā Paisacī and (viii) Pāli12
Prākrta as Ardhamāgadhi :
The native language of Magadha country or Bihar or eastern India of today has been called Magadhan Prākrta. Lord Mahāvīra belonged to Magadha (Bihar) and Lord Rşabhadeva belonged to Košala (U.P.) Both of them are the first and the last Tirthankaras of Jaina religion. They delivered their sermons in a language canonically described as Ardhamāgadhi, or half-māgadhi. Ardhamāgadhi language is the mixture of Māgadhi and many native languages. It is the coordinate form of Māgadhi and Saurasenī or Maharāştri. Ardhamāgadhi has also been influenced by Samskệt, neighboring native language including Munda and Dravida ones 13.
The Jaina Āgama and Prākṣta Literature :
The last Jaina Tirthankara Lord Mahāvīra belonged to Magadha (Now, Bihar). When he got enlightenment, he preferred to deliver his preach or sermons in the language spoken among the common people, and he chooses the Ardhamāgadhi language. And from then the Ardhamāgadhi Praksta language came into light. This was an important event in the cultural'history of India, because a spoken dialect got for
11. Jain, N.L. Op. cit, p. - 25. 12. Sharma, Dinanath. Op. Cit., p. - 133. 13. Jain, N.L. Op. Cit, p. - 22-23.