Some Topics in the Development of OIA MIA NIA

Author(s): H C Bhayani
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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II MORPHOLOGICAL
(1) INFLEXIONAL A. DEVELOPMENTS IN PRAKRIT VERB-STEMS Analogically Developed New Verbal Stems *
1. Passive verb-stems
1. The formation and development of the passive verbal stems in Prakrit is quite interesting in that its examination can reveal to a degree some of the complexities of the functioning of analogy in bringing about devastating changes in MIA. morphology over a span of many centuries. The present limited attempt deals with data from Mahārāştri and Apabhramsa only. Secondly, the formation of passive stems is involved with the development of the MIA. verbal stems as a whole. Thirdly, the soundness of discussion and tenability of conclusions drawn are directly dependent upon the coverage of all attested forms, their chronology and frequency and we lack ready-at-hand reference sources in this regard. But in spite of these constraints we can hope to advance a more convincing explannation for some forms and formations and to clarify some trends and directions in the process of change.'
2. It is well-known that the Sanskrit system of passive formation with -ya- suffix disintergrated in Middle Indo-Aryan because the passive forın lost its structural transparency due to consonantal assimilation in clusters. The active and passive tense forms and the past passive participle forms could not be formally related, because the
The is a somewhat modified version of the author's Gujarati paper emtitled 'Prākst-nă sădrśya-mülak åkhyātik karmaņi amgo? first published in 'Vidyā' (Journal of the Gujarat University), VIII, 2, August, 1965, pp. 1-7; reprinted in the collection Sabdaparisilan, 1973, pp. 138-149.