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IRITING-IT'S DEVELOPMENT
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-is rich in varied expressions. But, with its long compounds and its poverty in syntax, it is cumbrous and unwieldy as coinpared even with the Latin of the Middle Ages, and inuch more so if compared with any living tongue. It must be a disadvantage to write in any language in which one does not habitually speak and think. And the disadvantage is not lessened when the existing works in that language are charged with an unprogressive (not to say reactionary) spirit in religion, philosophy, and social views of life.
It is therefore clear why Pali books written in India, or books in a dialect allied to Pali, or in a inixture of such a dialect and forms taken from pure Sanskrit, are each of them older than the books written in classical Sanskrit ; and why a coin, a book, or an inscription, in so far as its language approximates to the regular Sanskrit, is later, and not earlier. The vernacular was used first. Then, gradually, what were considered more learned forms (taken from the dead language used in the priestly schools) were, in a greater and greater degree, made use of, till, finally, the regular Sanskrit became used exclusively.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
