Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Prof. Prem Singh, Department of Linguistics, Delhi University, who presided on the second day's urged the university authorities to popularise the study of Prakrit by undertaking translation and publication of Prakrit works in national and international languages.
Acharya Vidyanandaji not only grace the occasion but also spoke. He said that Saurseni Prakrit, the earliest known form, is the mother of all north Indian languages. He reiterated the generally accepted view that Sanskrit and Prakrit, praised alike by sages, saints, literateures and grammarians, were inseparable and complementary to each other. Even the Vedic texts use both these languages effectively and therefore Vedas will be incomplete without their Prakrit parts. In the same way, the Sanskrit plays of Bhasa, Kalidasa and others would be bereft of all their attraction without their Prakrit part in them. He lamented the neglect of Prakrit by modern scholars and underscored the importance of Prakrit studies for proper understanding and teaching of Sanskrit literature.
Dr. Sudip Jain, the Head of the Jainalogy Department was the convener of the lecture series.
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