Apbhramsa Vyakarana Hindi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Apabhramsa Vyakarana Hindi" by H. C. Bhayani, based on the provided pages:

Title: Apabhramsa Vyakarana (Apabhramsa Grammar) by H. C. Bhayani. This work is part of the larger "Siddha-Hema-Shabdānushāsana" (or "Siddha-Hema") of Acharya Hemachandra.

Publisher: Kalikal Sarvagya Shri Hemachandracharya Navam Janmashatabdi Smruti Sanskar Shikshannidhi, Ahmedabad.

Year of Publication: 1994 (for this Hindi translation and third edition).

Author: H. C. Bhayani (Editor). Bindu Bhatt is the translator into Hindi.

Overall Purpose and Significance:

This book is a detailed exploration of the Apabhramsa grammar as presented in the eighth chapter of Acharya Hemachandra's renowned Sanskrit grammar, "Siddha-Hema-Shabdānushāsana." The text emphasizes the immense importance of Apabhramsa for understanding the historical development of languages like Gujarati and Hindi, as well as for the study of Apabhramsa literature.

The publication aims to dispel the misconception that Apabhramsa is difficult or obscure, making valuable linguistic and literary material accessible to a wider audience. This Hindi translation is based on the enriched third edition of the original study.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Introduction to Apabhramsa:

   • Jain Influence: The book highlights that Apabhramsa literature is overwhelmingly composed by Jains, with contributions from Buddhist and Brahmin traditions being exceptions with limited value.
   • Padyaswarupa: A significant characteristic of Apabhramsa literature is its predominantly poetic nature; prose is rare.
   • Origins: The exact circumstances of the origin of Apabhramsa language and literature remain largely unknown, with much of the early literature lost.
   • Sixth Century Development: By the sixth century CE, Apabhramsa had attained the status of an independent literary language, recognized alongside Sanskrit and Prakrit.
   • Ninth Century Earliest Works: The oldest surviving Apabhramsa works date back to the ninth century CE, although literary activity was likely extensive before this period.

2. Apabhramsa Literature:

   • Sandhibandha: The most prevalent form of composition was the "Sandhibandha," used for various narrative themes like Puranic epics, biographical accounts, and religious stories.
   • Early Sandhibandha: The oldest known Sandhibandha is from around the ninth century, but a longer tradition likely preceded it. Early poets like Chaturmukh (who composed on the Ramayana and Krishna legends) are mentioned with respect.
   • Svayambhudeva: Considered a foremost Apabhramsa poet of the ninth century, his works include the epic "Pattacharitra" (Ramayana) and "Riṭṭhanemicariya" (Aṛiṣṭanemi Charita). His "Svayambhu Chanda" is crucial for understanding Middle Indo-Aryan prosody and provides commentary on Prakrit and Apabhramsa literature.
   • "Pattacharitra": This epic follows the Sanskrit and Prakrit tradition of presenting Rama's life but with a Jain interpretation. It is divided into five sections (Kāṇḍas) and ninety Sandhis, with each Sandhi composed of "Kadravaka" units. The "Kadravaka" is a distinctive feature of early Apabhramsa and early New Indo-Aryan literature, suitable for narrative expansion.
   • "Riṭṭhanemicariya": This epic details the life of the 22nd Tirthankara, Arishṭanemi, and the Krishna-Pandava narrative according to Jain tradition.
   • Pushpadanta: Another prominent Apabhramsa poet (10th century CE), Pushpadanta deviated from the common themes of Rama and Krishna, exploring the lives of the 63 Shlaka Purushas (great men) in his "Mahapurana." His works are characterized by richness in अलंकार (figures of speech), metrical variety, and scholarship.
   • "Mahapurana": This monumental work, also known as "Trishashti-Mahapurusha-Gunalankara," contains the lives of the 63 great men, divided into "Adipurana" (first 37 Sandhis) and "Uttarapurana."
   • Charitakavya (Biographical Epics): Besides major epics, Sandhibandha was used for biographical accounts of famous Jain figures. Examples include Dhanaṁpāla's "Bhaviṣyattakaha" (12th century), Kanakamara's "Karakandu Charita," and Pāhila's "Paumasirichariya."
   • Koshakavya (Anthologies of Stories): These works presented stories to illustrate specific Jain religious or ethical themes. Nayanaṁdi's "Sakalavidhividhāna Kavya" and Śrīchandra's "Kahakosa" are examples, drawing from Sanskrit and Prakrit sources.
   • Rasabandha: Another significant literary form developed by Apabhramsa, often described as lyrical and emotional, though few ancient examples survive.
   • Other Forms: Mention is made of "Charchari" (song-like compositions associated with spring festivals) and "Khandavibhajanarahita Mahakavya" (epics without sectional divisions).
   • Religious and Spiritual Works: Works of Yogiṁdu and Ramasiṁha, like "Paramaprakāśa" and "Yogasara," are highlighted as important contributions to Jain mystical literature. Buddhist Siddhas also produced spiritual works in Apabhramsa.
   • Miscellanies and Later Trends: Numerous Apabhramsa verse fragments are found in Jain Prakrit and Sanskrit texts, as well as commentaries. Hemachandra's own "Siddha-Hema" provides valuable examples that reveal a vibrant literary tradition.
   • "Sandeshraasaka": This work by the Muslim poet Addahmana is significant for being a purely literary work in Apabhramsa, focusing on the theme of separation and love. It showcases the poet's mastery of the language and his deep assimilation of Indian poetic traditions. The work is divided into three "Prakramas" (sections).

3. Apabhramsa Language:

   • Ancient Mentions: The text cites various ancient authorities (like Kālidāsa, Vyāḍi, Patañjali, Bhartṛhari, Dāṇḍin, Abhinavagupta, Vāgbhaṭa, Rudraṭa, Bhoja, Rājaśekhara, Hemacandra) on the meaning and usage of the term "Apabhramśa," which evolved over time from "corrupted" speech to a distinct literary language.
   • Meaning of Apabhramśa: The term originally implied deviation from a standard, corruption, or a "fallen" state, applicable to conduct, thought, or language. It came to signify a spoken or literary language distinct from Sanskrit.
   • Evolution of Usage: The usage of "Apabhramśa" shifted from referring to various vernacular dialects spoken by different groups to denoting a specific literary language.
   • Influence of Dialects: The language of Apabhramsa literature reflects the influence of various regional dialects, including those related to Punjabi and ancient Gurjarabhāṣā.
   • Phonetic and Morphological Analysis: The text delves into phonetic changes (vowels and consonants) and grammatical structures, including verb conjugations, noun declensions, and the use of postpositions. It notes how Apabhramsa, while rooted in Prakrit, exhibits distinct features that foreshadow modern Indo-Aryan languages.
   • Hemachandra's Classification: Hemachandra treated Apabhramsa as a single, unified literary language, unlike some contemporaries who recognized multiple varieties. He followed the tradition of viewing Apabhramsa as a literary language evolving from Sanskrit and Prakrit.
   • Dialectal Mix: Due to its reliance on various historical sources from different regions and periods, Hemachandra's presented Apabhramsa naturally incorporates a mix of linguistic features.
   • Distinctive Features: The analysis points out features like vowel shifts, consonant changes, the development of new suffixes, and syntactic structures that distinguish Apabhramsa from earlier Prakrit and anticipate modern languages.
   • Influence of Prakrit and Shauraseni: The text discusses how Prakrit and Shauraseni influences appear in Apabhramsa literature, often due to metrical requirements or the use of Prakrit forms in poetic contexts.

4. Hemachandra's Apabhramsa Grammar:

   • Systematic Treatment: Hemachandra's presentation is considered the most important, extensive, and systematic among ancient grammarians, supported by numerous illustrative examples.
   • Categorization: The grammar is broadly structured into sections on phonology, word formation, noun declensions, and verb conjugations.
   • Key Grammatical Points Covered: The summary details various phonetic developments (vowel and consonant changes), the formation of noun and adjective forms (using कृत् and तद्धित suffixes), pronoun declensions, and the conjugation of verbs (present tense, future tense, imperative mood, participles).
   • Unique Apabhramsa Features: The text highlights specific Apabhramsa phonetic tendencies and grammatical changes, such as the prevalent use of the 'h' sound for 's', various vowel shifts (like 'a' to 'i' or 'o'), and specific affixes.
   • Regional Influences: The presence of features associated with ancient Prakrit and specific regional dialects (like Punjabi and ancient Gurjaradesa) is noted, suggesting the diverse linguistic landscape from which Apabhramsa literature emerged.

Overall Contribution:

This work by H. C. Bhayani is a seminal contribution to the study of Apabhramsa. It provides a clear and detailed analysis of Hemachandra's grammatical framework, making a complex linguistic subject accessible through its Hindi translation and comprehensive explanations. The book serves as an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the origins of modern Indian languages, the rich tapestry of Jain literary heritage, and the evolution of Indian linguistic history.