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The Prākşta in Karnataka Dr. M. D. VASANTHARAJA
There is clear evidence to be pointed out that Prāksta language was current in Karnātaka region as early as third century B. C. In several places of Karnataka, about ten Minor inscriptions of Ashoka, the fanious Maurya king, have come to light. These could not have been here unless there were people who could read and understand the message contained in them. In addition to these inscriptions there are semi-historical stories, which indicate the prevalence of political contact between Southern and Northern regions of India even prior to the time of Ashoka. Karakandu story narrated in Bșhatkathākośa of Harişeņa and also the Śreņika story narrated in Brhatkathākośa, Punyaśrava Kathakośa and Vaddaradhane are two such stories, which indirectly provide proof for the political contact that existed between Northern and Southern regions of India during Sixth Century B.C. This contact again establishes language-link between these two parts of India. Prakrta was the spoken language that was current through out Northern India in those days and the same must have served as a link-language, rather than any other language. Further again the story of the migration of the huge Munisamgha under the leadership of Bhadrabāhu, the last Dvadaśanga Caturdaśa pärvin, to south suggests a flow of religious people whose mother tongue was Präkpta. According to the tradition. Bhaskara undertook a journey with a big army and retinue to Kalbappu i.e., Chandragiri at Shravanabelagola to pay his obeisance to his grandfather Chandragupta, who, having taken Munid ikṣā, had accompained the Munisangha Headed by Bhadrabāhu and was performing penance at the Nisidhi of his guru Bhadrabāhu Swami. Bhāskara stayed here for a few days and established a township and caused a temple to be constructed. After this Munis and Srāvakās from north continued to visit this sacred place i. e., Tirthakşetra the fact of which is indirectly attested by the statement 'Kramena Saptasatam rșiņāmi-rādhitamiti jayatu Jinaéasanamiti', i.e. And in course of time Rșis numbering seven hundred
1. Rājāvalikatha of Devachandra Bhadrabāhubhattāraka Katha.
परिसंवाद-४
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