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a proper understanding of Apabhraṁsa language and literature is indispensable for comprehending the development of Hindī literature correctly and adequately. In Search of Manuscripts
It is interesting to note that the existence of Apabhraṁsa manuscripts in India went undetected till 1913-1914 A.D. When Pischel completed the book 'Grammar of the Prakrit Languages' in 1900, he was not aware of any information regarding Apabhraṁsa literature except a few Apabhraíba dohas mentioned by Hemacandra in his Apabhramsa grammar. H. Jacobi who was engaged in studying Indian literature inferred the existence of Apabhraíśa manuscripts. In 1913 in Ahmedabad he saw a manuscript in the custody of a Jaina saint. The saint believed it to be a Prakrit manuscript. When H. Jocobi took a closer look at it he found that it was Bhavisyattakahā composed by Mahākavi Dhanapāla in tenth century A.D. in Apabhramsa. This manuscript was subsequently published by the Munich Royal Academy (Germany). In 1923 it was published again, this time as a part of the Gaekwad Oriental Series, Baroda. After this, a large number of Apabhraṁsa manuscripts were traced and Indian scholars gradually occupied themselves with the task of editing Apabhraṁsa manuscripts. Many Apabhraíša manuscripts are currently stored in the collection of Śrī Mahāvīrajī at Jaipur in the Jaina Vidyā Saṁsthāna. The most important of these is the Paumacariu composed in eighth century A.D. by Mahākavī Svayambhū. Retrieval of Paumacariu
It is incontrovertibly recognized by scholars of Apabhraṁsa language and literature that Paumacariu of Svayambhū occupies the foremost place among the literary
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Spiritual Awakening (Samyagdarśana) and Other Essays
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