Proceedings of the Seminar on Prakrit Studies 1973

Author(s): K R Chandra, Dalsukh Malvania, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 150

17. Applicability of the Rules of Prakrit Grammar to the
Formation of Marāthi Words
Dr. N. A. Deshpande, Bombay Maraths shares certain features of the Prakrit languages. The peculiarity of the Paiśācî language of having 'oa' only, and not 'ña', has influenced certain words in Maraybı, like ‘ūna' (379) from “uşņa’ (3607, 'sune' (aa) from suaya' (Tu). The Māgadbi trend of 'ra' being replaced by 'la', and 'sa' by 'sa' (u), is to be met with in such Marāļhi words like 'pelane' (Ta), 'Josi' (start) etc. The tendency in Ardhamāgadhi to shorten vowels is to be found in Marāthr; e.g. the word 'kumara' (AT). The tendency of intial 'da' (E) changing to 'da' (5) is common to Ardhamāgadhi, Marathi and Mahārastri; 'daś(EU) becomes 'das' (TA), 'dobalaka' (TEMÅ) changes to 'dobāļā' (ETELT). Infiuence of Apabhramsa is also noted in certain Marathi words.
Most of its words, as is well-known, are derived from Sanskrit either directly or through the Prakrits. Grammarians like Vararuci, Hemacandra and Trivikrama have laid down, in their Sūtras, the rules which govern the change of Sanskrit words into Prakrit ones. An attempt is made be. low to show how a number of rules applicable to the formation of Prakrit words can also be made applicable to the formation of Marathy words.
About the TF vowels, Hemacandra says that an am at does not coalesce with the previous vowel (1.8); but then also points out certain exceptions to this rule. The Marātby words like 'r' derived from Sk. (277777', through Pkt, 62727277', '71' from Sk. 67924, through Pkt, barat, 'सतार' from Skt. 'सूत्रकार' and Pkt. 'सुत्तआर', 'मिरे' from Skt. 'मरिच' through Pkt fafar', 'AR' from Sk. 'Aur', through Pkt. 6737T', and it from Sk. Fafa' (Pkt.' 'Pop') are examples of this exception.
The Marāțhs word 97 (in words like that') is derived from Sk. HTT', through Pkt. 7877'. Here the 3' in 7377') is changed to (Hemacandra 1.48). Then, (a+57) the word is har',
Lasertion of an 'I T' in certain words is stated by Hemacandra in 1,26. Some of the Marathy words in which such an 347fart is inserted are
Har' (from Sk. #9), fia' (from Sk. ART), 'zo' (from Sk. Beat), 'ga' Sk. 3 ) etc,