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TULSI-PRAJŇA
or Prakriti of these languages or dialects is the natural language of the people (Prakrita), the uncontrolled by the rules of the grammarians. Namisadhu's view appears to be linguistically correct.
The fundamental problem is that nothing is available which could prove the existence of Prakrit prior to that of Sanskrit except some of the Prakrit forms like vikrta, kikrita, nikrita, dandra, andra etc. Panini cultured the Chandasa by framing the rules and regulations, which could hardly be changed till today. But on the other hand, Prakrits were constantly under changing and linguistically developing. Sanskrit was used by higher communities while Prakrits became the media for expression of common people.
On the basis of linguistic studies Dr. Pichel refuted the view of Horefer, Lassen, Jacobi, Bhandarkar etc. that Prakrit is derieved from Sanskrit. He supported the view of Senart stating that the rudiments of Prakrits are deeply rooted into the dilects. Their prominent characteristics are borrowed from the living languages of earlier period. But these dialects are developed into different stages of literary languages. In later period the Prakrits were cultivated into literary Prakrits and influenced by Sanskrit grammer, language and style. The same trend may be perceived into the basement of Prakrit Grammar writings.
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Development of Studies in Prakrit Grammar and Linguistics
The rudements of Prakrit grammar are available in the Sthananga and other Prakrit Agamas. In early period some Prakrit grammar Granthas like Aindri, Saddapahuna, Samantabhadra Vyakarana, Panini Prakrit Vyakarana, Svayambhu Vyakarana etc are mentioned here and there but they could not be traced out so far. Afterwards some of the Prakrit Vyakarana Granthas were written by Indra (?), Samantabhadra, Panini, Svayambhu and others which are not available in any Bhandaras. On the basis of these texts the later Acaryas would have written their Granthas which became substratum for further linguistic studies.
We shall discuss in brief the development of Prakrit studies in Grammar and linguistics under the following heads: 1. Studies in Prakrit Vyakarana texts
2. Linguistic studies of Prakrits
3 New Prakrit Grammars
4. Comparetive studies of Prakrits, and
5. Prakrit dialects used in Sanskrit dramas
The Indian and foreign scholars worked in the field and enriched the Prakrit studies with their literature contribution. We would strive to submit the research work done in the field accord
inclu
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