Sambodhi 1977 Vol 06

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 70

Prākrit studies
65
swing of the Sanskrit poetry fails to make any impression upon the audience, who are destined to leave the hall in disgust. Nevertheless it bears testimony to the fact that Prākrit has been neglected not only in the past but also in the present time.
Now it should be stated that although it is the age of science and technology oriental learning has not lost all interest in the life of man. Man is the ultimate object of study. Every thing happening centres round the man. The thoughts and ideas which remain enshrined in the oriental learning and culture, are the expressions of man's heart, his emotions, impulses and aspirations. So being absolutely human oriental learning should have a permanent place in the history of inan's evolution, his progress towards the ultimate goal and attainment of perfection. So oriental learning has a permanent value. It will remain ever brilliant and scintillating. In the darkness of conflict and confusion it will shine like the polestar and lead man to his final destination,
As Prākrit forms a part of oriental learing it should have made a definite contribution to the sum total of Indian culture. As it suffers neglect and its worth has not been properly appreciated we intend to indicate here some of the purposes, that have been served by the knowlege of Prākrit. We know that inscriptions are one of the very important sources for the reconstruction of history of a country. In the case of India the same condition obtains. Here too inscriptions are to be found and they have immensely
us in the matter of reconstruction of the history of this land. But from the very beginning right upto the 2nd century A. D. Prākrit was the exclusive language of these inscriptions. The edicts of Asoka have all been transeribed in this language and these have been the most effective documents for the knowledge of the history of this great monarch, dedicated to the service of man. Not only the history of the Mauryas but also that of the post-Mauryas foreign invaders, the Scythions and Greeks, has become clear from these literary records--the inscriptions, that are all transcribed in the Prākrit language.
We know that the Jains form a very important community in India. They adhere to the tenets of non-violence and love, which once proclaimed by the lord Mahavira and glorified later by his disciples. The teachings of this faith have been retained in the seriptures, which are transcribed in the Prākrit language-a dialect, which is technically called Ārsa or ArdhaMāgadhi. These religious texts are highly precious for being the documents of thoughts, which are very wide and comprehensive in nature. They not only embody a detailed account of ethical principles and moral practices but also contain discussions on philosophical, social, religious and cultural matters