In Search Of The Original Ardhamagadhi English Translation - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "In Search of the Original Ardhamāgadhi" by K. R. Chandra, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: In Search of the Original Ardhamāgadhi Author: K. R. Chandra English Translation By: N. M. Kansara Publisher: Prakrit Text Society, Ahmedabad Publication Year: 2001 Series: Prakrit Text Series No. 35

Overview:

This book, an English translation of Prof. K. R. Chandra's Hindi work "Prācīna Ardhamāgadhī Ki Khoja mem," is a meticulous scholarly endeavor to reconstruct the original form of the Ardhamāgadhi language as it was spoken and used in the earliest Jaina Āgamic texts. Prof. Chandra argues that over centuries of transmission and editing, the original linguistic characteristics of Ardhamāgadhi have been altered, often due to the influence of later Prakrit grammarians and evolving linguistic trends. The book aims to identify and preserve the archaic linguistic elements to provide a more authentic representation of the Jaina scriptures.

Key Arguments and Findings:

Textual Variation and Editorial Influence: The book begins by highlighting the significant lack of uniformity in phonetic changes and readings across various editions of the Jaina Āgamic texts written in Ardhamāgadhi. Chandra asserts that editors have often followed the rules of later Prakrit grammarians, leading to the alteration or omission of older linguistic features. He points out that manuscript traditions themselves show variations, making the task of identifying the original form challenging.
Identification of Archaic Linguistic Elements: A substantial portion of the book is dedicated to presenting and analyzing specific linguistic elements that are believed to be characteristic of the original Ardhamāgadhi. These include:
- Preservation of Medial Consonants: Contravening the tendency in later Prakrits to elide or change medial unaspirated consonants and aspirate consonants to 'h', the original Ardhamāgadhi is argued to have retained these consonants more frequently.
- Voicing of Consonants: Evidence suggests that voicing of medial consonants (e.g., 't' to 'd', 'th' to 'dh') was a feature of older Prakrit, including Ardhamāgadhi, and that this was sometimes replaced by elision in later periods.
- Anaptyxis (Svarabhakti): The separation of conjunct consonants through the insertion of a vowel (anaptyxis) is identified as an older feature, often replaced by assimilation in later Prakrits.
- Usage of Specific Suffixes and Forms: The book details archaic nominal and verbal endings, case suffixes (e.g., instrumental singular in '-āye', locative singular in '-mhi', '-ssim'), and participle forms that are found in earlier texts and manuscripts but have been superseded by younger forms in later editions.
- Vedic and Pāli Affinities: Chandra frequently draws parallels between the archaic Ardhamāgadhi features and those found in Vedic Sanskrit and Pāli literature, suggesting a shared linguistic heritage and a testament to Ardhamāgadhi's antiquity.
- Specific Phonetic Changes: The study examines changes like the initial 'y-' to 'a-', the use of 'muti' for 'mati', and the use of '-mina' in place of '-māna' in present participles, linking them to older stages of Indo-Aryan and the Eastern dialect of the Ashokan period.
- Archaic Root Forms: The prevalence of older root forms (e.g., 'bhava' for 'bhū', 'brū' forms, 'prāp' forms) in Ardhamāgadhi texts is also highlighted as evidence of their antiquity.
The Influence of Place and Time: The author argues that the linguistic characteristics of the Ardhamāgadhi texts provide clues about their place and period of composition. He points to similarities with the Eastern dialect of the Ashokan inscriptions as evidence that Ardhamāgadhi originated and was primarily used in Eastern India (Magadha region). The migration of Jain communities and the subsequent influence of dominant literary Prakrits like Mahārāṣṭrī are seen as factors contributing to the alteration of the original language.
Critique of Hemacandra's Prakrit Grammar: Chandra critically examines Hemacandra's Prakrit Grammar, noting that while Hemacandra provided rules for many other Prakrit languages, he did not systematically dedicate separate sections to Ardhamāgadhi. Chandra suggests that Hemacandra's general statements about "ārṣa" language and the "bahulam" (varied) nature of rules might have indirectly acknowledged the complexities and archaic nature of Ardhamāgadhi, which posed challenges for systematic grammatical formulation.
Reconstruction of Specific Words and Sentences: The book delves into the reconstruction of specific words like 'kṣetrajña' and the opening sentence of the Acārānga Sūtra ("suyani me ausani!"). Through detailed comparative analysis of manuscript readings and different editions, Chandra proposes the most archaic and original forms, arguing against later interpretations and phonetic changes that he believes obscure the original meaning and linguistic stage.
Principles for Editing Ancient Texts: Based on his extensive research, Chandra proposes a set of "Principal Characteristics of Archaic or Original Ardhamāgadhi" to guide scholars in editing ancient Jaina texts. These principles emphasize the preference for archaic forms, the retention of medial consonants, the correct identification of phonetic changes, and adherence to older grammatical structures.

Significance:

"In Search of the Original Ardhamāgadhi" is presented as a groundbreaking work that challenges long-held assumptions in the field of Prakrit linguistics and Jaina Āgama studies. It provides a robust methodology for text criticism and restoration, aiming to bring scholars closer to the authentic linguistic heritage of the Jaina tradition. The book is a call for a critical re-evaluation of existing editions and a renewed focus on preserving the linguistic integrity of the ancient scriptures. The work has been met with appreciation from scholars for its meticulous research and its contribution to understanding the evolution of Prakrit languages and the early Jaina canon.