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22
: Scientific Contents in Prākṛta Canons
Because of this area's political, cultural and overall importance in Indian tradition, this language had dominating influence over a large area. It has also been influenced by Sauraseni of the Mathura region (of U, P.) of Mahābhārata. Some scholars opine Māgadhi's origin from Sauraseni which might be taken to mean that it helped its development. It is surprising that such an important language existed only in spoken form and no worthwhile literary work is found composed in this language. It is also seen that it was taken as the language of the low castes, women and joculars as could be guessed from drama dialogues of different periods.
The Magadhi language is, however, characterised by the following aspects:
(i) Use of 'I' in place of 'r'
(ii) Use of palatal 's' in place of all the three - cerebral, dental and palatal 's'.
(iii) Use of 'e' in first inflection in place of 'visarga'. (iv) Use of 'hu' in singular number of sixth inflection. (v) There is use of 'ya' in place of 'ja'.
Magadhi has various names and forms. Srilankans call even Pāli as Magadhi. Despite the Magadhi, the literary language turned out to be the archaic and sage spoken ArdhaMāgadhi (Semi-māgadhi). - a standard inter-provincial medium. Lord Mahavira belonged to Magadha (Bihar) and Lord Rṣabhadeo belonged to Kośala (Ayodhya, U. P. ). Both of them are the first and the last of the torch-bearers of Jainism. They delivered their sermons in a language canonically described as Ardhamāgadhi. This is called as godly and its speakers are termed as linguistically Aryans. This is the language of the basic Jaina canons. It is surprising to learn that Vararuci has not mentioned this language - perchance it might not be used in his times despite Bharata Muni of earlier age.
This has been defined in many sources summarised
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