Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

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MAHĀNISIHA STUDIES AND EDITION IN GERMANY
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Ardhamāgadhi. The compiler uses the nom.sing.masc. in -e / -o (mainly in -e in prose of non-narrative contents, exclusively in -o in verses); nom.pl.masc. in -e and -a (in-e mainly in prose, in verses also in e). In a general neglect of differentiation between genders, he tends to make neuter forms of words which are otherwise masculine. His prose suffers not seldom under the false excess of strange expressions and stylistic clumsiness. In verses, he is not afraid of creating the even padas of anustubh containing seven akṣaras, and composes more gītis than āryas (contrast MNA.III.,37*: B,p.59 with Avasyaka-niryukti, 1332", see MNSt.A.p.58); he does not get disturbed by the break in a verse caused by a prose interpolation. Typical of the compiler is the exuberance in his statements full of arithmetical figures. He exhibits certain insecurity in his relationship to the Canon. He has the tendency to mystify the written form of prayers and charms, which, he feels, are not meant for oral use. He inserts one protective charm to earn the favours of a tantrikā goddess. Let us also mention that he is not inconversant with the brahmanical way of life. ... He has at least some idea about the secular sciences. 8.1.3 Certain peculiarities, evaluated singly, seem to point to a comparatively early date of the text. Yet, some other characteristics stand in contrast to them and point to a rather late date. The story of the nun Rajjä, for example, inserted into the MNA (VI.86.1-36: C.pp.27-28), shows that the expressivity of the prose of the period was at its best; other narratives in our text are, however, much below the average. Moreover, the compiler, when he himself writes, uses exclusively the anustubh, although the äryä metre was dominant in his time. The question has to remain unanswered, as to how we are to explain these facts which run contrary to the period. One could well imagine that his is really a conscious attempt at antiquity, both in matter and in form of the MNA, as has been proved by us. This should, however, not mean that we can expect much more than what he could himself accomplish, as far as his mastery over the language and style" enabled him. We would rather believe that the place where it was composed was at some distance from the centres of literary activities. The intermingling of alternative forms (in -e/-o) may rather hint at an area lying between the eastern parts (where -e was predominant) and the western ones (where -o was predominant); in other words, compared to Ardhamāgadhi, there is, in terms of geography, a shift towards the western region.