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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
431
who cntered South India in two successive streams, one through Kalinga and Telugu Country (c.550 B.C.) and the other (c.400 B.C.) reaching Sravanabelola first and, then moving into the deep South, also gradually picked up the local languages like Tamil, Kannada etc., cultivated them and laid the foundations of their literary forms, in addition to their producing considerable amount of literature in Prakrit in these areas too. The total result was that in Prakrit a vast amount of literature, extending over the period of 1700 years (600 B.C. to 1100 A.D.), from the days of Mahāvīra to those of the birth of the Modern Indo-Aryan languages and even later on was produced in its various forms - Inscriptional Prākrit, Pali, Paisacī, Sourasenī, Magadhī, Ardhamagadhi, Mahārāstri and Apabhramba etc.,
As regards the importance of such vast and varied Prakrit literature, I would rather just quote here my own conclusive reflections on a similar topic already presented elsewhere (Jain Journal, Vol.IV-2):
“Prakrit literature contains a wonderful linguistic, literary and spiritual heritage that has considerably influenced the Modern Indian languages and literature, Aryan as well as Dravidian. It records the noble thoughts and messages of Asoka, one of the great monarchs of the world. The Canonical Section of Prakrit literature presents some brilliant chapters in the history of human thought. They may said to be Ahimsā (non-violence), Syādvāda or Anckantavāda 'the principle of non- absolutism) and Grhastha-dharma (an ideal Code of Conduct for the Layman), leading towards individual and social health. This has preserved and propagated such lofty spiritual and ethical ideologies that have helped to nourish among the masses higher values of life and to sct for them healthy moral standards. Gandhiji's principle of “Truth and Non- violence" can be said to be a modern fruit of such age-long reflections and teachings by our ancient Saints and Seers, that gradually percolated into our culture through centuries. The society depicted in Prakrit literature, particularly in its narrative and lyrical zones, is more popular and realistic than aristocratic For Private & Personal Use Only
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