Prakrit Vyakarana - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prakrit Vyakarana" by Bechardas Doshi, based on the provided PDF pages.

Book Title: Prakrit Vyakarana (प्राकृत व्याकरण) Author: Pandit Bechardas Jivraj Doshi (पंडित बेचरदास जीवराज दोशी) Publisher: Gujarat Puratattva Mandir, Ahmedabad (गुजरात पुरातत्त्व मंदिर, अहमदाबाद) Publication Year: First Edition: Samvat 1981 (1925 CE), 1100 copies printed.

Overview:

"Prakrit Vyakarana" is a significant grammatical work dedicated to the study of Prakrit languages. Authored by Pandit Bechardas Doshi, it was published by the Gujarat Puratattva Mandir in Ahmedabad. This book aims to provide a structured and comprehensive understanding of Prakrit grammar, drawing comparisons with other related languages and linguistic traditions.

Key Features and Content:

Structure and Style:
- The grammar is structured with reference to Acharya Hemachandra's Prakrit grammar, but the order of presentation is revised.
- Instead of presenting the grammar of each Prakrit variety separately (like Shauraseni, Magadhi, Paishachi, Apabhramsha), this work integrates the rules, highlighting the specific features of each alongside the general Prakrit rules.
- For instance, when discussing the general tendency of certain consonants to be dropped in Prakrit, the book simultaneously points out how these sounds transform in Shauraseni, Magadhi, Paishachi, and Apabhramsha.
- Rules are presented first for general principles, followed by specific exceptions and rules.
- In the sections on nouns (Nama) and verbs (Akhyata), the derivation of forms in Prakrit, Shauraseni, etc., is explained, and then the forms themselves are listed, sometimes presented together in the same context.
Comparative Analysis with Pali:
- A major distinguishing feature of this grammar is its detailed comparison with the Pali language.
- The rules for phonetic changes in Prakrit are compared with those in Pali, and at times, Pali words are directly cited.
- Forms of nouns, verbs, krdantas, and taddhitas are compared with their Pali counterparts, and Pali suffixes are also provided for comparison.
- In the Sandhi (conjunction) section, Pali rules are included where relevant.
- The author's intention here is to enable students of Prakrit to learn Pali comprehensively alongside Prakrit.
Relationship with Vedic Sanskrit:
- The book acknowledges that while previous Prakrit grammarians primarily used Classical (non-Vedic) Sanskrit for explaining Prakrit forms, modern scholarship suggests a connection between Prakrit and Vedic Sanskrit.
- Therefore, the author uses Vedic Sanskrit forms as a basis for comparison where relevant, considering it important for understanding Prakrit forms.
- Several Prakrit rules and phenomena are shown to have parallels in Vedic Sanskrit, such as the dropping of final consonants, the loss of 'r' and 'y', vowel shortening before conjunct consonants, and specific sound changes like 'd' to 'd', 'ṛ' to 'u', etc.
- However, due to the desire to keep the book manageable and accessible, not all such detailed comparisons are included.
Linguistic Analysis:
- The author advocates for showing the development of Prakrit words from their original sources rather than merely describing them as modifications (adesha) of Sanskrit words. This historical and scientific approach helps in understanding the gradual phonetic changes.
- The book attempts to derive certain Prakrit words by tracing their linguistic origins and phonetic evolution, which is seen as more consistent with linguistic principles.
Treatment of Ardhamagadhi:
- The book critically examines the status of Ardhamagadhi. While acknowledging its mention in Jain scriptures as a language used by Lord Mahavir for his sermons, the author argues that simply referencing a language does not automatically qualify it for a separate grammatical treatment.
- For a language to have its own grammar, extensive literature needs to be analyzed to identify its unique characteristics that distinguish it from other languages.
- The author discusses Acharya Hemachandra's approach to Prakrit dialects, noting that he did not create separate grammars for phenomena that were not significantly distinct from general Prakrit or Arsha Prakrit. This suggests that if Ardhamagadhi lacked significant distinguishing features, Hemachandra would have integrated it into general Prakrit grammar.
- The author analyzes Hemachandra's commentary and observations about Ardhamagadhi, particularly regarding the use of the 'e' ending in the nominative singular for Magadhi, and points out that this feature is not universally present in Jain Agamas and is also found in Prakrit forms.
- The author concludes that the language of the Jain Agamas, often referred to as Ardhamagadhi, is best understood as a form of Prakrit or Arsha Prakrit, rather than a distinct language requiring a separate grammar based on just a few unique features.
Comparison with Other Linguistic Traditions:
- The book also touches upon other perspectives on Prakrit classification, such as Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra, which associates Ardhamagadhi with characters like Chet, Rajaputras, and Shreshthis in dramas.
- It also considers the language of Ashoka's edicts (Ancient Magadhi) and its comparison with the language of Buddhist Tripiṭaka and Jain Agamas. A detailed phonetic and grammatical comparison with Ashoka's edicts is presented, highlighting significant differences that further support the classification of Jain Agamic language as Prakrit rather than Ardhamagadhi.
Grammatical Scope:
- The book covers various aspects of Prakrit grammar, including:
  - Phonetics and Phonology (Varna Parichaya): Vowels and consonants, and their changes.
  - Phonetic Changes (Svara Vikar, Vyanjan Vikar): General and specific rules for sound alterations, including comparisons with Pali and other Prakrit dialects. This is a substantial part of the book, detailing numerous sound shifts.
  - Sandhi (Conjunction): Rules for combining sounds.
  - Prefixes and Indeclinables (Upasarga, Avyaya, Nipat): Discussion of these grammatical elements.
  - Nouns (Nama): Types of nouns, changes in final vowels, gender classification (Masculine, Feminine, Neuter), case endings and their usage, with detailed paradigms for various noun declensions across Prakrit, Shauraseni, Magadhi, Paishachi, and Apabhramsha.
  - Verbs (Akhyata): Verb roots, verb conjugations, tenses (present, past, future), moods (imperative, optative), and their forms. The author notes the simplification of Sanskrit's complex verb system in Prakrit.
  - Krdanta (Verbal Nouns/Adjectives): Formation and usage of these word forms derived from verbs.
  - Taddhita (Derivational Suffixes): Rules for forming new words from existing ones using suffixes.
  - Verb Roots (Dhatupatha): A listing of verb roots.
- The book extensively lists and explains numerous phonetic and grammatical changes through examples, often drawing from literature and comparisons with Pali and Sanskrit.
Influence and Contribution:
- The book utilizes resources like Pali Prakash by Acharya Vidhushekhar Bhattacharya, expressing gratitude for its use.
- It reflects Pandit Bechardas Doshi's meticulous research and dedication to the study of Prakrit languages and Jain literature.

In essence, "Prakrit Vyakarana" by Bechardas Doshi is a foundational text for understanding the intricacies of Prakrit languages, offering a systematic, comparative, and historically informed approach. Its detailed analysis, especially its comparative dimension with Pali and Sanskrit, makes it an invaluable resource for scholars and students of historical linguistics and ancient Indian languages.