Paie Bhasa

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Pāia Bhāsa," by Chandanmuni, focusing on the key arguments and themes presented in the excerpt:

The text, "Pāia Bhāsa," by Acharya Chandanmuni, is a passionate defense and explication of the significance and inherent qualities of the Prakrit language, particularly within the context of Jain tradition and literature. The author argues forcefully against the notion that Prakrit is a derivative or inferior language compared to Sanskrit, asserting its naturalness, ease of understanding, and profound literary value.

Key Arguments and Themes:

• Naturalness and Universality: The author begins by celebrating the beauty and comprehensibility of nature, from blooming flowers to serene landscapes, suggesting that true beauty lies in inherent naturalness. Prakrit, he argues, embodies this naturalness. It is the "mother tongue" (māyarabhāsā), naturally used by all strata of society – children, cowherds, laborers, and even women. This inherent, unadorned quality makes it universally accessible and delightful.

• Inherent Excellence, Not Derived Status: A central theme is the refutation of the idea that Prakrit originated from Sanskrit. The author contends that this is a misconception. He points to the fact that Prakrit existed and was widely used from ancient times, governed by its own principles. He highlights the naturalness of Prakrit as evidence of its primordial status, comparing it to pure, unadulterated milk from a cow, which is later transformed into something else (like payasam) through artificial processes.

• "Unartificial" Nature of Prakrit: The text emphasizes the "unartificial" (akṛtrima) and "natural" (naisargika) qualities of Prakrit, referencing scholarly opinions that deem it as such. This "unartificial" nature makes it sweet and enjoyable, contrasting with the perceived artificiality and complexity that can sometimes be associated with Sanskrit.

• Prakrit as the Language of the Common People and Saints: The author asserts that Prakrit was the natural medium of communication for the common populace. Furthermore, he argues that even enlightened beings like Mahavira and Buddha used Prakrit (specifically Ardhamagadhi) to disseminate their teachings, making spiritual knowledge accessible to all. The fact that Jain Tirthankaras used this language elevates its status and demonstrates its suitability for profound spiritual discourse.

• Comparison with Sanskrit: While not disparaging Sanskrit entirely, the author seeks to establish Prakrit's distinct and superior qualities in terms of ease of learning and expression. He criticizes the idea of viewing Prakrit merely through the lens of Sanskrit grammar. He notes that even Sanskrit itself is divided into Vedic and Laukika (worldly) Sanskrit, suggesting that languages evolve and adapt, and Prakrit's natural evolution should not be seen as a deficiency.

• Linguistic Simplicity and Ease of Grammar: The text details the grammatical simplifications in Prakrit that make it easy to learn and use.

  • Sandhi (Joining of sounds): Prakrit often has simpler or absent sandhi rules compared to Sanskrit, making word combinations more straightforward.
  • Inflections (Vibhakti): Prakrit inflections are generally simpler and more regular.
  • Consonants: The simplification of certain consonant clusters and the reduction of palatal and sibilant sounds (ś, ṣ, s) to a single dental 's' is highlighted as a major simplification.
  • Gender and Number: Prakrit grammar is often more flexible with genders and numbers, allowing for variations that simplify usage.
  • Verb Conjugation: Verb conjugations in Prakrit are presented as significantly simpler, particularly in the past and future tenses, requiring fewer rules and exceptions.

• Literary Merit and Expressiveness: The author showcases Prakrit's rich literary potential through examples.

  • Shlesha (Puns/Double Meanings): Prakrit is lauded for its ability to convey multiple meanings with a single word, a concept illustrated with the versatile word 'vāy'.
  • Emotive Expression: Prakrit poetry is cited for its ability to express subtle emotions and everyday life experiences with great naturalness and beauty, as seen in excerpts from the Gathasaptashati and other works. It is capable of conveying the sweet nuances of love, sorrow, and daily life.
  • Jain Literature: The author points to the extensive use of Prakrit in Jain scriptures (Agamas) and commentaries, underscoring its historical and religious importance.

• Contribution to Language: Prakrit's openness to incorporating regional and common words (desīśabda) makes it a dynamic and evolving language, constantly enriching itself.

In essence, Acharya Chandanmuni's "Pāia Bhāsa" is a scholarly yet impassioned plea for the recognition and appreciation of Prakrit as a sophisticated, natural, and artistically rich language, holding a foundational place in Indian linguistic and literary history, and particularly within the spiritual heritage of Jainism. He urges readers to study and understand Prakrit to grasp the depth of its literature and the nuances of linguistic evolution.