________________ LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR XXIX . heaven. Recollecting the past events, he returned to the earth and consoled his parents who were still mourning his death. They thence forward devoted themselves to religious observances and eventually attained heaven. The sage then told him that Nagadatta was reborn in his own person as Nagakumara and that Laksmimati was no other than his wife of the former life. The teacher then explained to him the manner of observing the fast. . At this juncture minister Nayandhara arrived from home, and Nagak. re. turned to Kanakapura where his father received him with great affection and crowned him king. Vyala, at his order, brought all his wives and Vidyas from wherever they were left. With them he enjoyed the pleasures of royalty. Sridhara had already become a recluse through sheer disgust and now Jayandhara and Pythvidevi also retired to lead an ascetic life. Nagak. ruled the earth for a very long time and then, transferring it to Devakumara, he along with Vyala, Mahavyala, Acheya and Abheya, took to the ascetic life of a Digambara and, in due course, attained salvation. Here ends the story of Nagakumara illustrating the fruit of observing the fast of Sripancami. 11. Language and Grammar. The Apabhramsas form a very important stage in the evolution of the Aryan languages of India, as they link the classics with the present day vernaculars. They did not, however, attract the attention of scholars till very late, and, it was only in 1918 that a complete and critically edited Apabhramsa work appeared. This was the Bhavisayattakaha of Dhanapala edited by Dr. Hermann Jacobi. It aroused a great interest in the direction and numerous works have since been brought to light. The earliest record of the word Apabhramsa in connection with language is found in the Mahabhasya of Patanjali (Vol. I. p. 2). But it is only in an inscription of about the middle of the 6th century A. D. (the Vallabhi grant of Dharasena II) that we find a definite mention of Apabhramsa as a language. Bhamaha and Dandi have also accorded their recognition to it. Amongst the grammarians, the earliest to treat of this language is Canda who in his Prakrta Laksana devotes a few sutras to it. Hemacandra is the first to recognize the importance of this language and treat of it with a thoroughness that has not since been surpassed. Later grammarians have merely copied him not only in substance but even in form and illustrations. Hemacandra has, however, missed one point. He has omitted to notice any varieties in the language, thouagh his own treatment of it shows traces of them in the retention of the vowel sound # and a few conjuncts. Namisadhu, amongst 1. At lcast one work Paramatma-Prakasa' of Joindu or Yogindradeva in Apabhramga Dohas was published long before this, with a Hindi translation. But the text was not critically edited and it did not attract attention from outside the Jaina circles. 2. Apabhramsa works that were since discovered have been noticed by mc in my article 'Apabhramga Literature' (AUS 1925. vol I.). I have continued my scarch for this literature and have Since discovered more than a dozen other works, Works, P.P.AC. Gunratnasuri M.S. Jun Gun Aaradhak Trust
