________________
Studies in Jainology, Prakril
399
also in early Kannada Jaina works. In its formation, ujjavana (Skt.udyāpana): cannot be brought in the picture. Paiasaddamahannavo does not note ujjama in the sense 'to conclude'. It is possible that this peculiarly formed verbal root ujjamisu was current in the pious Jaira circles in Karnatak ini those days.
This aspect of study of these inscriptions lead us to the following conclusion:
The carly Kannada Jaina inscriptions bear a stamp of clear and considerable Prakritic influence; and this phenomenon stands as a mile-stone in the history of literary Kannada. Moreover, the field of these and such other inscriptions presents as a foreground to the sublime and sustained efforts of cultivating the Kannada language on the part of the ancient Jaina teachers and scholars, who were Prakritists.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
