Prakrit Margopadeshika - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary is based on the provided Jain text, "Prakrit Margopadeshika" by Bechardas Doshi, published by Gurjar Granthratna Karyalay, Ahmedabad. The text serves as a guide to learning the Prakrit language, with a particular focus on its connection to Jainism and broader Indian linguistic history.

I. Introduction and Publisher Information:

Title: Prakrit Margopadeshika (प्राकृतमार्गोपदेशिका)
Author: Prof. Bechardas Jivraj Doshi (अध्यापक बेचरदास जीवराज दोशी)
Publisher: Gurjar Granthratna Karyalay, Ahmedabad (गूर्जर ग्रंथरत्न कार्यालय, अमदावाद)
Edition: Second Edition (द्वितीय आवृत्ति)
Publication Year: V.S. 1999 (Vikram Samvat) (वि. सं. १९९९)
Price: Rs. 3-8-0 (मूल्य ३-८-०)
The book is dedicated to Shri Krishnalal Mohanlal Jhaveri on the occasion of his 75th Diwali, in recognition of his pure literary service.

II. Author's Preface (Bechardas Doshi):

Origin of the Book: The author first wrote "Prakrit Margopadeshika" in V.S. 1967 (1910 CE) while studying at the Yashovijayji Jain Pathshala in Kashi. This second edition is a significantly revised and expanded version.
Advancement of Prakrit Studies: The author notes the progress made in this book, emphasizing that even ancient languages can evolve through study and experience. He observes that students are increasingly focusing on philology, etymology, and the scientific history of languages.
Debunking Misconceptions: The author addresses the erroneous beliefs that "Prakrit, or Ardhamagadhi, belongs only to Jains" and questions about the impact on Sanskrit studies if Prakrit is pursued. He advocates for the study of comparative ancient and modern Aryan languages in educational institutions.
National Language of India: He believes that the resolution of India's national language issue will naturally follow if comparative linguistic studies flourish.
Role of Institutions: The Mumbai University's inclusion of Ardhamagadhi in its curriculum is appreciated, but the responsibility for its active promotion lies with educational institutions and public-minded organizations.
Impact of War: The author regrets that due to the prevailing war situation, he had to limit the scope of his planned revisions and expansions, as paper was scarce.
Value of the Book: Despite limitations, the book is expected to significantly enhance students' knowledge.

III. Foreword by Pandit Sukhlalji:

Personal Connection: Pandit Sukhlalji acknowledges being familiar with the initial draft of the book and accepted the request to write a foreword due to his confidence in Bechardas Doshi's extensive and continuous study and contemplation of Prakrit languages.
Comparison with Other Works: He compares "Prakrit Margopadeshika" with Doshi's "Prakrit Vyakarana" and "Jinagamkathasangraha," as well as other contemporary Prakrit grammar books in Gujarati and Sanskrit.
Key Observations about Doshi's Work:
- Depth and Breadth of Study: Doshi's study, reading, and contemplation of Prakrit are more extensive, wider, and particularly continuous than any other current Gujarati author in the field.
- Intellectual Independence: Doshi's thinking is characterized by independence, free from sectarian prejudices.
Pali and Prakrit Comparison: Doshi's study of Pali is deemed adequate, making his comparison of Prakrit and Pali languages appropriate and well-founded. Students who start with this book and proceed to Doshi's other works will gain accurate knowledge of Prakrit and some understanding of Pali, which is essential and fruitful for Prakrit learners.
Advantage of the Second Edition: This new edition is the culmination of the 24-year-old "Prakrit Margopadeshika." It will be more useful in any curriculum where the first edition was used.

IV. Introduction to the Book's Structure and Methodology (Bechardas Doshi):

Approach: The author details the systematic approach and methodology employed in the book:
1. Parallel Presentation: Prakrit roots, verbs, nouns, noun declensions, and gerunds are presented alongside their Sanskrit counterparts.
2. Linguistic Principles: Explanations of noun and verb declensions prioritize linguistic comparative perspectives.
3. Meaningful Vocabulary: Meanings are provided using words that are phonetically close to the original Prakrit words.
4. Indigenous Words: Specific sections are dedicated to indigenous words with meanings explained through comparative analysis.
5. Unexplained Forms: The book explains the derivation of "Arsha" (ancient) forms, even those not detailed by Acharya Hemachandra.
6. Dedicated Lessons: Specific lessons are allocated for indeclinable words and numerals.
7. Expanded Gujarati Sentences: Gujarati sentences are intentionally longer than Prakrit ones to provide adequate exercise for understanding the language. This can be skipped by teachers or advanced students.
8. Summaries and Questions: Summaries and questions are placed at the beginning of lessons, with teachers and students encouraged to create them for subsequent lessons.
9. Notes on Phonetic Changes: Notes explain major rules of phonetic change (Varnavikara), highlighting similarities in articulation points (osthya for 'p' and 'v') and the natural ease of pronunciation as the basis for these changes. Examples of common sound shifts are provided.
Teaching and Learning: The author stresses that if teachers and students focus on these nine points, success is assured. Teachers can find additional examples and explain sequential phonetic changes using regional words and cognates in Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali.
Causes of Linguistic Variation: The author outlines various reasons for phonetic variations, including geographical influences, changes in articulation, reduced physical effort in pronunciation, writer's carelessness, adherence to tradition, contact with other populations, religious movements, political power, decline in language respect, scholarly arrogance, formation of new words from abbreviated ones, reader's errors, and careless translation.
Understanding Language Differences: By teaching clearly, the complexities of language differences will be resolved, and the associated identity crises will diminish.
Future Editions: The author plans to include comparable Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali words in future editions.
Lexicon: A comprehensive lexicon is provided at the end, with Sanskrit equivalents and meanings, categorized by noun gender, adjectives, indeclinables, numerals, and verbs. Prose and poetry passages are also included with their respective lexicons.
Acknowledgements: The author thanks Pandit Shantilal Vanmalidas Sheth for compiling the word lists and Pandit Sukhlalji for his blessings. He invites feedback from experienced teachers and students. He also acknowledges the courage of Shri Shambhulal Jagshiji of Gurjar Granthratna Karyalay for publishing the book.

V. Key Concepts and Explanations:

Vedic Sanskrit and Prakrit: The book highlights the structural similarities between Vedic Sanskrit and Prakrit, noting that the main difference lies in pronunciation, which led to their classification as separate languages.
Pronunciation Changes: It explains that pronunciation changes occur in both Vedic Sanskrit and Prakrit, with Prakrit speakers naturally simplifying complex or combined consonants for ease of utterance. These simplifications include deletion or reduction of consonants.
Simplicity and Melody: Prakrit is considered more widespread and melodious than Sanskrit due to its simplicity.
Comparative Study: The book emphasizes a comparative approach, contrasting Prakrit with Sanskrit and Gujarati words to facilitate understanding and learning.
Importance of Prakrit Study:
- Comparative Linguistics: Crucial for comparative studies of ancient Indo-Aryan languages like Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Hindi, revealing their fundamental unity and fostering national integration.
- Etymology and History: Essential for understanding the evolution of words in regional languages and reconstructing accurate historical narratives.
- Spiritual and Philosophical Texts: Necessary for comprehending the spiritual thoughts of Indian ascetics preserved in Sanskrit Upanishads and Prakrit literature, promoting universal brotherhood and tolerance.
Relationship between Prakrit Dialects: The author draws parallels between the variations in regional languages (e.g., Gohilwadi and Jhalawadi) and the differences between Prakrit dialects (Pali and Prakrit, Ardhamagadhi and Ashaprakrit, Magadhi and Sauraseni). Learning one Prakrit dialect aids in understanding others.
Jain and Buddhist Studies: Essential for students of Jain and Buddhist philosophies, as their core principles are found in Ashaprakrit and Pali, respectively.
Phonetics (Varnavigyan):
- Vowels: Explains the placement of vowels in the throat (Kanth), palate (Tal), and lips (Osth), and their nasalization.
- Vowel Shifts: Details changes like 'r' to 'i' (e.g., 'Rishi' to 'Isi'), 'l' to 'ili', and the absence or alternative usage of certain vowels.
- Consonants: Explains the place of articulation for consonants (Kanthya, Talavya, Murdhanya, Dantya, Osthya, Nasikya).
- Compound Consonants: Discusses common Prakrit compound consonants and the simplification of Sanskrit clusters.
- Visarga: Notes the absence of visarga in Prakrit.
- Anunasika (Nasalization): Explains the role of nasalization with certain letters.
Grammatical Concepts: Covers conjugations, declensions, participles, indeclinables, numerals, and the use of prefixes (upasargas). It highlights the integration of Sanskrit grammatical concepts and the adaptation of verb conjugations in Prakrit, often absorbing Sanskrit verbal inflections into the root. The author explains how Prakrit verbs often directly adopt Sanskrit verb forms that already include inflections, eliminating the need for separate conjugation classes.
Specific Examples: The book provides numerous examples of Prakrit grammar, verb conjugations, noun declensions, and sentence structures, comparing them with Sanskrit and Gujarati. It systematically covers tenses (present, past, future), moods (imperative, potential), voices (active, passive), and noun cases.
Gender and Number: It explains the general rules for gender and number in Prakrit nouns and pronouns, noting similarities with Sanskrit and Gujarati. The text also addresses the absence of a distinct dual number in Prakrit and how it's conveyed using the word 'dvi' (two).
Word Formation: The book explains the process of forming words through prefixes, suffixes, and compounding, with examples from Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Gujarati.
Etymology: It provides insights into the etymological roots of Prakrit words, tracing their origins and evolution.

VI. Lesson-wise Content Overview (Partial):

The book is structured into numerous lessons, each focusing on specific grammatical aspects and vocabulary. These include:

Lesson 1: Present Tense (Verb Conjugation - singular pronouns like 'mi', 'si', 'ti').
Lesson 2: Present Tense (Plural verb conjugations for 'mo', 'ha', 'nti'). Discussion on dual number representation.
Lesson 3: Present Tense (Continuous) with general pronouns 'ja', 'ja'. Irregular verbs like 'ha' (to be).
Lesson 4: Verbs related to actions like meditation, saying, piercing, etc., with detailed conjugations.
Lesson 5: Noun declensions of masculine nouns ending in 'a' (e.g., 'vira').
Lesson 6: Nouns ending in 'a' (neuter gender).
Lesson 7: Masculine and neuter pronouns ending in 'a'.
Lesson 8: Declensions of demonstrative pronouns ('idam', 'tad', 'yad', 'kim').
Lessons 9-10: Declensions of personal pronouns ('tvam', 'aham') and their various forms.
Lessons 11-14: Past and future tense verb conjugations, including various irregular verbs.
Lessons 15-18: Specific verb conjugations and their usage in sentences, covering various tenses and moods.
Lessons 19-20: Demonstratives and other pronouns.
Lessons 21-26: Various declensions and conjugations with extensive examples.
Lesson 27 onwards: Covers causative verbs (Prerak Ved), various moods (Bhave Prayog, Karmani Prayog), relative participles (Sambandhak Bhutkṛdant), conditional participles (Hetvarth Kṛdant), and other complex grammatical structures.
Pronoun Declensions: Detailed tables for 'tvam', 'aham', 'idam', 'etad', 'tad', 'yad', 'kim', and 'anyad' pronouns, covering all genders and cases.
Noun Declensions: Comprehensive coverage of masculine, neuter, and feminine nouns ending in vowels like 'a', 'i', 'ī', 'u', 'ū', and 'ṛ'.
Indeclinables (Avyay): A significant section is dedicated to Prakrit indeclinables.
Numerals: A thorough listing of numerals from one to very high numbers.
Vocabulary: Extensive glossaries of common words, categorized by grammatical function (nouns, verbs, adjectives, indeclinables) and often with Sanskrit and Gujarati equivalents. Special sections for indigenous words.
Narrative Passages: Numerous short stories, dialogues, and verses in Prakrit, often with Gujarati translations or explanations, are used to illustrate grammatical points and introduce vocabulary. These often have a moral or didactic purpose, reflecting Jain teachings.

VII. Key Takeaways:

Prakrit as a Gateway: "Prakrit Margopadeshika" positions Prakrit as a vital language for understanding Jain scriptures, Indian linguistics, and the cultural heritage of India.
Comprehensive and Systematic: The book is a detailed and systematic guide, covering all essential aspects of Prakrit grammar and vocabulary.
Comparative Linguistic Approach: The constant comparison with Sanskrit and Gujarati makes the learning process more accessible and highlights the evolution of languages.
Historical and Cultural Context: The inclusion of narratives and the author's preface and foreword provide historical and cultural context for the study of Prakrit within Jainism.
Practical Application: The book aims to equip students with the ability to read and understand Prakrit literature, particularly Jain texts.

This summary aims to capture the essence of the book, highlighting its scope, methodology, and significance in the study of Prakrit and Jain literature.