Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 364

Sec. 1
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
339
In its commentary the Bhsi makes a reference to eighteen kinds of Brähmi script without naming them in clear terms. But they are specifically mentioned in the Samavāyānga Sūtra' as given below
(1) Bambhi, (2) Javanīliyā, (3) Dosāuria, (4) Kharotthia, (5) Kharasāviā. (6) Pahārāiā, (7) Uccattariā, (8) Akkharaputthiyā, (9) Bhogavayatā, (10) Venatiya, (11) Niñhaiyā, (2) Ankalivi, (13) Gaạialivi, (14) Gandhavralivi (Bhūyalivi), (15) A dañsalivi, (16) Mahesari livi, (17) Dāmi livi, (18) Bolindi livi.
In the Prajñāpanā Sūtral there are mentions of Javaņāliya, pukkhar isäriya and Arntakkhariyā in places of Javaniliyā, Icharagāvia and Uccattaria respectively, and the Sumavāyānga Sūtra connects Bhayalivi with Gandhavvalivi. It should be observed that these scripts are not derived from Brāhmi but they are alternates to it, e.g. Kharosthi has got its different origin.
Brāhini and Kharostlī, the two important scripts are also referred to in the Lalitavistara' along with the other sixty-four livis (lipis).
The Klaroșthi script came to India during the Achamenid rule and continued upto the Kusāna period, as it is evidenced by the fact that some of the inscriptions of the Kuşāna kings were inscribed in this script.
Brāhmi has played a great role in the evolution of the modern Indian scripts, all of which except the persian script of Urdu have originated from it, but the other scripts have disappeared into oblivion during the course of the development of Indian Palcography.
According to the Samavāyānga Sitra, Brāhmi consisted of forty-six 'māuyakkharas' (mātykākşaras) or the original letters without having the four liquid vowels viz. Ř, R., L., L., and LL.S
1 Commentary on the Bhs, 1, 1, 2. 2 Samaväyånga Sutra, 18. 3 Prajñāpanā Sutra, 1,51. p. 55a. · Lalitavistara, 125 f. • Panjtär stone inscription of a Kuşāna king (65 A.D.); Kalavan
copper plate Inscription (77 A.D.); and others. See 'Life in Ancient India', p. 176.