Prakrit Vyakarana

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prakrit Vyakarana" by Dr. Kamalchand Sogani, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Prakrit Vyakarana (प्राकृत-व्याकरण) Author: Dr. Kamalchand Sogani Publisher: Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy, Jainvidya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji, Rajasthan

Overall Purpose and Introduction:

The book "Prakrit Vyakarana" is dedicated to providing a comprehensive understanding of the Prakrit language's grammatical structure. The introduction highlights Prakrit as a rich and influential language of the Indian Aryan language family, noting that Lord Mahavir himself delivered sermons in Prakrit, making spiritual teachings accessible to the common populace. The book aims to equip readers with the knowledge of Prakrit grammar to learn, understand, and even compose in the language. It is presented as a continuation of previous publications by the Jainvidya Sansthan aimed at Prakrit language learning.

Key Grammatical Topics Covered:

The book systematically covers essential aspects of Prakrit grammar, including:

• Sandhi (सन्धि): The joining of sounds, where changes occur at the junction of words. The book details various types of sandhi:

  • Saman Swar Sandhi (समान स्वर सन्धि): The joining of similar vowels (a+a=ā, i+i=ī, u+u=ū).
  • Asaman Swar Sandhi (असमान स्वर सन्धि): The joining of different vowels, leading to the formation of 'e' and 'o'.
  • Sandhi Nishedh (सन्धि निषेध): Cases where sandhi does not occur, particularly with certain vowels like 'i', 'ī', 'u', 'ū', and when 'e' and 'o' are followed by vowels.
  • Lop-Vidhan Sandhi (लोप-विधान सन्धि): Elision of vowels, including the use of the avagraha sign (ऽ) to indicate lost vowels.
  • Sandhi in Dvirukti (पदों की द्विरुक्ति में सन्धि-विधान): Sandhi rules when words are repeated.
  • Anuswar Vidhan (अनुस्वार विधान): Rules for the formation and behavior of the anusvara (m) and its assimilation with consonants. This section extensively covers assimilation rules with different consonant groups (kavarga, chvarga, etc.) and the concept of anusvara āgama (addition) and lop (deletion).
  • Avyay Sandhi (अव्यय सन्धि): Sandhi rules specifically applied to indeclinable words (avyayas).

• Samas (समास): The process of combining words to form a compound, leading to brevity and conciseness. The book explains the importance of samas in literature and provides examples of how it reduces the number of words needed to express an idea. The four main types of samas discussed are:

  • Dvandva (द्वन्द्व): Compounds formed from two or more co-ordinate nouns, often joined by 'ca' (and).
  • Tatpurusha (तत्पुरुष): Compounds where the first word (prepositional phrase) relates to the second word through a case relation. The book details all six case-based Tatpurusha samas (Dvitiya to Saptami), with specific rules for certain postpositions or participle combinations.
  • Karmadharaya (कर्मधारय): A subtype of Tatpurusha where the first word is an adjective describing the second word (noun), or where both are adjectives, or the first word is a simile.
  • Digu (द्विगु): Compounds where the first word is a numeral, and the second is a noun, usually denoting a group.
  • Bahuvrihi (बहुव्रीहि): Compounds where the words combine to form an adjective describing another noun. It is known as "anyapadarth pradhāna" (other-word-prominent). Both समानाधिकरण (same case) and व्यधिकरण (different cases) Bahuvrihi are explained.
  • Avyayibhav (अव्ययीभाव): Compounds where the first word is an indeclinable (avyaya), and the entire compound functions as an adverb. The resulting compound is typically neuter singular.

• Karaka (कारक): The grammatical relation of a noun or pronoun to the action of a verb or to another word in the sentence. The book explains that Prakrit grammar recognizes six Karakas:

  • Kartā (कर्ता): The doer of the action (Prathama Vibhakti).
  • Karma (कर्म): The object of the action (Dvitiya Vibhakti).
  • Karaṇa (करण): The instrument or means by which an action is performed (Tṛtīyā Vibhakti).
  • Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान): The recipient of a gift or the one for whom an action is done (Caturthī Vibhakti).
  • Apādāna (अपादान): The point of separation or origin (Pañcamī Vibhakti).
  • Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण): The location or time of an action (Saptamī Vibhakti). The book emphasizes the distinction between Karaka (the grammatical relation) and Vibhakti (the case ending used to express that relation). It provides detailed rules and numerous examples for the usage of each Karaka and its corresponding Vibhakti, including exceptions and special cases.

• Taddhita (तद्धित): Suffixes added to nouns, pronouns, or adjectives (but not verbs) to form new words with related meanings. The book enumerates various Taddhita suffixes like '-kera', '-ka', '-ekka', '-evva', '-illa', '-ulla', '-hutta', '-imā', '-ttaṇa', '-tta', '-tā', '-itti', '-etia', '-etilla', '-edaha', '-manta', '-vanta', '-itta', '-ira', '-maṇa', '-tto', '-do', '-o', '-hi', '-ha', '-ttha', '-si', '-siyaṁ', '-iyā', '-tar', '-am', '-īyas', '-iṭṭha', etc. It explains their usage in forming possessives, comparatives, superlatives, abstract nouns, and words indicating presence or quality.

• Strīpratyaya (स्त्रीप्रत्यय): Feminine suffixes that transform masculine or neuter words into feminine ones. The primary feminine suffixes in Prakrit are 'ā' and 'ī'. The book details how these are appended, sometimes with changes to the base word's ending (like 'a' becoming 'i' before 'ā'). It also covers secondary feminine formations and lists several examples of masculine and feminine word pairs.

• Avyaya (अव्यय): Indeclinable words that do not change their form regardless of gender, number, or case. The book categorizes Avyayas into:

  • Upasarga (उपसर्ग): Prefixes that are added to verbs, nouns, or adjectives to modify their meaning.
  • Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण): Adverbs that modify verbs, indicating time, place, manner, etc.
  • Samuccayabodhak (समुच्चयबोधक): Conjunctions that connect words or clauses.
  • Manovikārasūcaka (मनोविकारसूचक): Interjections expressing emotions like joy, sorrow, surprise, etc.
  • Atirikta Avyaya (अतिरिक्त अव्यय): Other indeclinable words. Extensive examples and usage are provided for each category, particularly for adverbs of time, place, and manner.

Structure and Presentation:

The book is structured logically, presenting each grammatical topic with clear definitions and numerous examples. The inclusion of "Sandhi Prayog ke Udaharan" (Examples of Sandhi Usage) and "Samas Prayog ke Udaharan" (Examples of Samas Usage) further aids in understanding the practical application of these rules, often referencing passages from other Prakrit literary works like "Prakrit Gadya-Padya Saurabh." The language is described as simple and modern, making it accessible to students and self-learners.

Dedication and Acknowledgements:

The book is dedicated to Dr. Nemichandraji Shastri and Pt. Becherdas Jivarajji Doshi, recognizing their contributions to Prakrit studies. The publishers express gratitude to scholars from the Apabhramsa Sahitya Academy, Prakrit Bharti Academy, and the contact classes at Shri Mahavirji for their support in the publication.

In essence, "Prakrit Vyakarana" by Dr. Kamalchand Sogani serves as a vital resource for anyone wishing to master the grammatical intricacies of the Prakrit language, a language deeply intertwined with Jain religious and philosophical literature.