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"The parallel between Italian in its relation to Latin and Pāli in its relation to Sanskrit is striking enough to deserve special notice. In the thirteenth century the literary language of Italy, the language of culture and science, was Latin, which however had long died out as the spoken tongue of cultivated society and was probably reserved for the Drama, and for occasions of state ceremony. The spoken language of Italy was to be found in a number of provincial dialects, each with its own characteristics, the Piedmontese harsh, the Neapolitan nasal, the Tuscan soft and flowing. These dialects had long been rising in importance as Latin declined, the birth time of a new literary language was imminent. Then came Dante, and choosing for his immortal commedia the finest and most cultivated of the vernaculars, raised it at once to the position of dignity which it still retains. Read Sanskrit for Latin Māgadhi (Pāli) for Tuscan, Gautam for Dante, and the three baskets for the Divina Commedia and the parallel is complete.
In the present context we may read Ardhamāgadhī for Tuscan, Mahāvīra for Dante, the Jaina Agamas for Divina Commedia and the parallel will be complete.
As the Ardhamāgadhi has been raised to the position of high dignity by the Agams of the Svetāmbara sect Hemacandra's placement of Ardhamăgadhi at the top of all languages is not very out of place keeping in view the emotional attachment with the language of ones religion. If the Sanskritists hold Sanskrit in high esteem by calling it the language of gods (ca 215) and lovers of Pāli can call Pāli as the TUTAT (oldest language) Hemacandra's boasting of अर्धमागधी as सर्वभाषारिणताम् is justifiable. Supreme love for ones religion and the language of religion cares a fig for what the comparative philologists think.
Professor & Head Deptt. of Prakrit Language & literature
Parsvanath Vidyapeeth
Jain Education International
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