Prakrit Tatha Anya Bharatiya Bhashaye - Book Summary

This document, "Prakrit Tatha Anya Bharatiya Bhashaye" (Prakrit and Other Indian Languages) by Premsuman Jain, explores the historical relationship and influence between Prakrit and various other Indian languages. Here's a comprehensive summary:

The text begins by establishing the lineage of Indian languages, tracing their roots back to the Vedic language as the ancient Indo-Aryan language. It notes that alongside the formal Vedic language (Chhandas), spoken vernacular languages also existed, evident in texts like the Atharvaveda. These vernaculars are categorized into three regional dialects: Northern, Central, and Eastern. The Eastern dialects, associated with those holding different views from Vedic culture (referred to as Vratyas), eventually evolved into Magadhi, the language spoken during Lord Mahavir's time. The author emphasizes that Prakrit and Sanskrit are like "twin sisters," both originating from a common vernacular source, with their literary and structural divergence occurring over time. Sanskrit became a standardized "language of the gods," while Prakrit, continuously incorporating vernacular words, adopted various names throughout its evolution, including Pali, Ardhamagadhi, Maharashtri, Sauraseni, Paishachi, and Apabhramsha, ultimately leading to modern Indian languages.

The text then delves into the meaning of "Prakrit," stating that ancient scholars defined it as the natural speech of people unburdened by grammatical rules. Jain scriptures, particularly the Anga texts, are cited as being in Prakrit for their accessibility to all, including children and women. The author clarifies the etymology, linking "Prakrit" to "Prkruti" (nature or common people), signifying its inherent, natural quality.

A classification of Prakrit is presented, distinguishing between "spoken Prakrit" (of which no direct examples survive) and "literary Prakrit." Literary Prakrit is further divided into three periods:

Early Period (6th century BCE to 2nd century CE): Literature composed in Prakrit during this time.
Middle Period (2nd century CE to 6th century CE): This era saw the development of literary Prakrit, which, while still connected to the vernacular, began to deviate. Grammarians of this period identified five key Prakrit forms: Ardhamagadhi, Sauraseni, Maharashtri, Magadhi, and Paishachi.
Apabhramsha Period: This marks the third stage of Prakrit development, where the evolving vernacular languages gave rise to Apabhramsha.

The relationship between Prakrit and Apabhramsha is described as close, often considered a single continuum by some scholars, though they are recognized as distinct languages. Apabhramsha is presented as a more direct representation of the common people's speech, with noticeable differences in inflections, suffixes, and postpositions, and a prevalence of native words and the vowel 'u'. Apabhramsha also acquired various names like Abhiri, Bhasha, Deshi, and Avahatta, reflecting its development and connections to regional dialects, with Avahatta serving as a bridge to modern Indian languages.

The author explains the natural evolution of languages: as vernaculars become standardized in literature, new vernaculars emerge among the populace. This process led to Apabhramsha as literary Prakrit became more artificial and confined to literature. As Apabhramsha gained literary prominence and standardization, new regional languages began to flourish. Modern Indian languages are seen as inheriting qualities from both Prakrit and Sanskrit, influenced by Apabhramsha, but carrying a stronger legacy from Prakrit and Apabhramsha due to their vernacular nature. The transition period's literature provides evidence of this blending, with changes like vowel contraction and simplification of consonant clusters.

The text highlights specific regional languages and their connections to Prakrit and Apabhramsha:

Western Languages: Sindhi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati are discussed. Sindhi is linked to the Abhiri Apabhramsha of Sindh, while Punjabi is traced to Apabhramsha of KaiKeya and Takka regions. However, detailed studies on Sindhi and Punjabi's Prakrit-Apabhramsha connections are noted as still needed.
Rajasthani: Believed to have originated from Nagar Apabhramsha, influenced by Saurashtra and Gurjara Apabhramsha due to historical ties with Gujarati. Its dialects (Hadoti, Dhundhari, Mewari, Marwari) show clear Prakrit and Apabhramsha influences, particularly in sound changes and grammar. The singular nominative ending in '-o' in Rajasthani is directly attributed to Prakrit. Many pronouns and verb roots are also inherited.
Gujarati: Shares a close relationship with Rajasthani, with significant influence from Sauraseni Prakrit and Apabhramsha. Similarities in vocabulary and grammatical structures are noted, with Gujarati pronouns also showing direct Apabhramsha origins.
Eastern Languages: Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, Odia, Bengali, and Assamese are discussed. Their development is linked to Magadhi and Ardhamagadhi Prakrit and Apabhramsha.
- Bhojpuri: Shows a strong connection to Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, with numerous Prakrit elements in its phonology (vowel shifts, nasalization) and grammar (noun formation, case markers). Many verb roots and pronouns are directly derived from Prakrit.
- Maithili: Also shows clear Prakrit influence, alongside Sanskrit. Examples of sound changes mirroring Prakrit are provided.
- Odia: Exhibits common Prakrit tendencies, including vowel changes (e.g., 'ṛ' to 'i') and simplification of consonant clusters. Its verb conjugation, while differing from Prakrit, developed through Apabhramsha.
- Bengali and Assamese: Are acknowledged to be influenced by Middle Indo-Aryan languages, though further study is needed.
Central Indian Languages: Bundelkhandi, Kannauji, Brajbhasha, Avadhi, Bagheli, and Chhattisgarhi are identified as being influenced by Sauraseni and Ardhamagadhi Prakrit due to their prevalence in the Madhyadesha. Their literature and spoken forms reflect these influences. Examples from Bundelkhandi show direct adoption of Prakrit words with minor phonetic changes.
Marathi: In South India, Marathi has a strong historical connection to Sanskrit and Prakrit, with Maharashtri Prakrit being a significant influence. Many words found in 5th-6th century Prakrit texts are still present in modern Marathi, highlighting a deep linguistic and geographical relationship.
South Indian Languages: Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam are also not untouched by Prakrit's influence, although they have a greater number of Sanskrit words. The text calls for independent research into Prakrit elements in these languages. Examples of Prakrit-derived words in Kannada are provided.
Hindi: As the national language, Hindi has absorbed words from various Indian languages, including a significant number from Prakrit and Apabhramsha. Knowledge of these words can aid in Hindi etymology without solely relying on Sanskrit. Many Hindi words and even verb forms are directly borrowed from Prakrit, with minimal changes. The text lists numerous examples of such borrowings. Hindi also exhibits Prakrit-Apabhramsha influences in its grammar, such as the absence of dual number, simplification of consonant clusters, and the use of postpositions instead of case inflections.

In conclusion, the book emphasizes that Prakrit has continuously influenced Indian languages across different eras and regions. Its structural and lexical contributions to modern Indian languages demonstrate its simplicity and vernacular nature. The literary traditions of Prakrit and Apabhramsha have also enriched the literature of these languages. The author concludes by quoting Dr. Katre, stating that Middle Indo-Aryan languages played a crucial role in the formation of Ancient and Modern Indian languages, serving as a vital link connecting the past and present. The text underscores the role of language in national unity and the importance of linguistic generosity, noting that Prakrit and Apabhramsha have significantly shaped contemporary Indian languages.