Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 78

Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
be: That is religion where there is compassion. But, for clarity, I would render it as follows: That is a true religion which has compassion as its basis.
In the case of Sūtras we have to resort rather to the method of free translation, which is termed as chhāyānuvāda by som scholars. Otherwise it is difficult to arrive at the intended meaning of the original. If the text is in verse the task of translating becomes still harder. A metrical translation in English demands a special qualificatior. of English mctrics, poctics and vocabulary on the part of the translator. Hence the translation in prose of such verified texts normally fares better. But when the Prakrt text is just a contextual mctrical portion by way of quotation of a verse of a few verses, one can translate them in free verse, which can bring variety and beauty to such work. I have carried in my studies this experiment at such contexts. The following verse and its rendering in free verse may be noted :
Khammāmi savva jivanam savve siva khamaitu me Metti mc savva bhūdesu veram majjha kenavi? I do forgive all beings cver; May they forgive me too so! Let me love one and all for sure, Let me be an enemy of none!
Such icchnique of translating in free verse can also be fruitfully used in the case of Prakrt llyrical verses and religious ballads. I have rendered the entire 22nd Chapter, namely the Rahanemijjam, in the Uttaradhyayana- sūtra, in English free versc, free quartain', one or two of which can be reproduced.
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Rajimati noted Rahanemi's mind disturbed, And (so also) his cxertion deleted; Losing not her presence of mind, Her own sell there she defended.