Prakrit Hindi Vyakaran Part 02
Added to library: September 2, 2025

Summary
Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Prakrit Hindi Vyakaran Part 02," by Kamalchand Sogani and Shakuntala Jain, published by Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy.
Book Title: Prakrit Hindi Vyakaran Part 02 Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani (Editor), Shakuntala Jain (Author) Publisher: Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy, Jain Vidya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji, Rajasthan Based on: The grammatical sutras of Acharya Hemchandra.
Overall Purpose: This book, "Prakrit Hindi Vyakaran Part 02," is the second volume in a series designed to make the study of Prakrit language accessible to Hindi speakers. It aims to explain the complexities of Prakrit grammar, particularly its verb forms and their temporal markers, in a simple and understandable manner using Hindi as the medium. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the understanding of ancient Jain scriptures and literature that were originally composed in Prakrit.
Key Content Areas Covered (as indicated by the Table of Contents):
The book is structured to systematically cover various aspects of Prakrit verb conjugation and related grammatical concepts:
- Introduction/Preface (Prakashkiy): Highlights the significance of Prakrit as the language of Tirthankara Mahavira's teachings and its historical importance as a well-developed vernacular that evolved into Apabhramsa and subsequently influenced modern Aryan languages, including Hindi. It emphasizes the role of the Apabhramsa Sahitya Academy in promoting Prakrit studies.
- Basic Prakrit Information (Prarambhik): Provides fundamental information about the Prakrit alphabet (vowels and consonants, noting the usage of certain letters), number of genders (masculine, neuter, feminine), numbers (singular, plural), persons (first, second, third), cases (eight for nouns, seven for pronouns), and types of verbs (transitive, intransitive), and tenses (present, past, future, imperative/subjunctive).
- Verb Forms and Temporal Prefixes (Kriyaon ke Kalbodhak Pratyay): This is the core of the volume and details the formation of verbs in different tenses:
- Present Tense (Vartamankal): Explains how present tense verb forms are created for the first, second, and third persons, singular and plural, with various suffixes and variations.
- Past Tense (Bhootkal): Details the formation of past tense verb forms for all persons and numbers, including specific suffixes used in Prakrit and Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
- Future Tense (Bhavishyatkal): Covers the formation of future tense verbs across all persons and numbers, detailing the various prefixes and suffixes used in Prakrit, Shauraseni Prakrit, and Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
- Imperative/Subjunctive Mood (Vidhi evam Agya): Explains the formation of verbs in the imperative and subjunctive moods for all persons and numbers, again highlighting variations across different Prakrit dialects.
- Verb-derived Nouns (Kridanton ke Pratyay): This section likely details the formation of various types of verb-derived nouns and participles, such as:
- Gerunds/Verbal Nouns (Bhav Kridant): Explains the formation of verb-derived nouns indicating obligation or necessity (e.g., "should be done").
- Adverbial Participles (Sambandhak Bhutkrudant): Describes how participles are formed to indicate actions performed before another action (e.g., "having done").
- Infinitive of Purpose (Hetvarthak Kridant): Explains the formation of verb forms indicating purpose (e.g., "in order to do").
- Past Participles (Bhootkalik Kridant): Details how participles are formed to indicate past actions.
- Present Participles (Vartaman Kridant): Explains the formation of participles indicating continuous actions.
- Voice (Bhavavachya evam Karmavachya ke Pratyay): This section focuses on the formation of passive and impersonal voices.
- Passive Voice (Karmavachya): Explains how passive voice is formed from transitive verbs using specific suffixes like 'ijja' and 'iya'/'iyya', and how these forms agree with the object in gender and number. It also covers irregular passive verb forms.
- Impersonal Voice (Bhavavachya): Discusses how impersonal voice is formed from intransitive verbs, often using similar suffixes, with the verb always in the third person singular. It also addresses the passive use of participles.
- Suffixes (Pratyay):
- Suaarthik Pratyay (Suaarthik Suffixes): Explains the use of suffixes like 'a', 'illa', and 'ulla' that are added to nouns and adjectives without altering the core meaning, often for diminutive or affectionate purposes.
- Causative Suffixes (Preranakarthak Pratyay): Details how causative verbs are formed by adding suffixes like 'a', 'e', 'ava', and 'aave' to intransitive verbs, making them transitive, and how these forms conjugate in different tenses. It also covers causative passive forms.
- Miscellaneous Prakrit Verbs (Vividh Prakrit Kriyaen):
- Synonymous One-Root Verbs (Ekaarthak Ekvidh Kriyaen): Lists verbs that have the same meaning but different roots.
- Synonymous Multi-Root Verbs (Ekaarthak Bahuvidh Kriyaen): Lists verbs with the same meaning but derived from different roots or with variations.
- Divergent Meaning Verbs (Dvyarthak Kriya-roop): Lists verbs that have multiple meanings.
- Verbs with Prefixes (Upsarg-yukt Bhinnarthak Kriya-roop): Explains how prefixing changes the meaning of verbs.
- Irregular Passive Verb Forms (Aniyamit Karmavachya ke Kriya-roop): Discusses passive verb forms that do not follow the standard derivation rules and are learned from literary usage.
- Irregular Past Participles (Aniyamit Bhootkalik Kridant): Lists past participles that are not formed through the standard suffixes.
- Irregular Adverbial Participles (Aniyamit Sambandhak Kridant): Lists adverbial participles with irregular forms.
- Irregular Infinitives of Purpose (Aniyamit Hetvarthak Kridant): Lists infinitives of purpose with irregular forms.
- Irregular Gerunds (Aniyamit Vidhi Kridant): Lists gerunds with irregular forms.
- Appendices (Parishisht):
- Appendix 1: Verb Forms and Temporal Prefixes (Kriya-roop va Kalbodhak Pratyay) - A consolidated list of verb conjugations.
- Appendix 2: References to Acharya Hemchandra's Sutras (Acharya Hemchandra-rachit Sutron ke Sandarbh) - Citations from Hemchandra's grammar for the rules presented.
- Appendix 3: Testimonials/Endorsements (Sammati / Abhimat) - Appreciation from scholars like Dr. Anand Mangal Vajpayee, Dr. Udai Chand Jain, and Prof. Phoolchand Jain Premi, highlighting the book's utility and accessibility.
- Appendix 4: Useful Information on Prakrit Grammar (Prakrit-vyakaran Sambandhi Upayogi Soochanaen) - Listing related books by the authors/publisher.
- Editor's Note (Sampadak ki Kalam se): Discusses the evolution of Prakrit from Vedic Sanskrit and the approach of the book to explain Prakrit grammar in Hindi, aligning with the simplification of linguistic study for modern audiences.
Key Strengths and Approach:
- Based on Acharya Hemchandra: The book adheres to the widely respected grammatical framework established by Acharya Hemchandra in his "Siddha Hema Shabdanushasana," specifically the Prakrit section.
- Hindi Medium: The primary innovation is the use of Hindi as the medium of instruction, making complex Prakrit grammar accessible to a broader audience without requiring prior knowledge of Sanskrit grammar.
- Systematic Presentation: The content is organized logically, starting with basic information and progressing through verb conjugations, different moods, voices, and derived forms.
- Practical Examples: The book likely includes numerous examples to illustrate the grammatical rules, aiding comprehension.
- Focus on Accessibility: The editor and author's aim is to demystify Prakrit grammar, making it approachable for students, scholars, and anyone interested in Jain scriptures and literature.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The table of contents indicates a thorough treatment of verb morphology, including various tenses, moods, voices, and derived forms.
Significance: "Prakrit Hindi Vyakaran Part 02" plays a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge about Prakrit, a language central to Jainism and early Indian literature. By providing a Hindi-based grammatical resource grounded in Acharya Hemchandra's authoritative work, it empowers Hindi speakers to engage with and understand ancient Jain texts, thus fostering a deeper connection with their spiritual and literary heritage.