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Prakritshabdanushasanam

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Prakritshabdanushasanam

Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prakritshabdanushasanam" by Trivikram, published by Jain Sanskuti Samrakshak Sangh, Solapur, as presented in the provided pages:

Book Title: Shri Trivikram Virachit Prakritshabdanushasanam (with Hindi Translation)

Author: Trivikram

Publisher: Jain Sanskuti Samrakshak Sangh, Solapur

Publication Details:

  • Part of the Jivraj Jain Granthamala series (Pushpa 4A).
  • First Edition.
  • Published in V.S. 2030 / V.N.S. 2499 / I.S. 1973.
  • Printed by Sau. Shailaja Barve, Veda-Vidya Mudranalay, Pune.

Overview: The book presents the "Prakritshabdanushasanam," a grammar of the Prakrit language composed by Trivikram. The volume includes the original Prakrit sutras along with a detailed Hindi translation and commentary. It is a significant contribution to the study of Prakrit linguistics within the Jain tradition.

Key Components and Content:

  1. Introduction to the Jivraj Jain Granthamala:

    • The Granthamala was established by the late Brahmachari Jivraj Gautamchand Doshi, a Solapur resident who dedicated his life and wealth to religious and social causes.
    • He traveled extensively and consulted Jain scholars to determine the best use of his resources for the preservation, upliftment, and propagation of Jain culture and literature.
    • In 1941, he established the 'Jain Sanskriti Samrakshak Sangh' for this purpose, donating his entire property (valued at approximately two lakhs) to the Sangh.
    • Brahmachari Jivraj Doshi attained Samadhi on 16-1-1957.
    • The 'Jivraj Jain Granthamala' operates under this Sangh, and the presented work is a significant publication within this series.

  2. Editorial and Translation Details:

    • Chief Editors: Dr. Adinath Nemnath Upadhye and Late Dr. Hiralal Jain.
    • Hindi Translators: Dr. Keshav Vaman Apte, Professor of Sanskrit and Ardhamagadhi at Willington College, Sangli.
    • The Hindi translation is based on the critical edition of Trivikram's grammar edited by Dr. P. L. Vaidya.
    • The Chief Editor, Dr. A. N. Upadhye, expresses his gratitude to Dr. K. V. Apte for the systematic and valuable Hindi translation, believing it will popularize Trivikram's grammar among Hindi readers.
    • The editorial expresses sorrow over the passing of co-editor Dr. Hiralal Jain, who had shaped the general policy of the Granthamala for 30 years.

  3. Preface (Prastavana) by Trivikram:

    • Author's Identity: Trivikram, the author, provides some autobiographical details in introductory and concluding verses found in some manuscripts.
    • Lineage: He was born into a respected family. His paternal grandfather was Adityavarman. His parents were Lakshmi and Mallinath. His brother, Bham (or Som, Ram, Vam, Cham as per text variations), was renowned for his conduct and knowledge.
    • Education: Trivikram studied under Ahnnandi, described as a Muni proficient in Jain scriptures and knowledgeable in the three Vidyas.
    • Self-Description: Trivikram refers to himself as a Sukavi (skilled poet).
    • Works: Trivikram mentions composing one or more Kavyas, though these are not currently available.

  4. Trivikram's Religion, Place, and Time (as estimated by Dr. P. L. Vaidya):

    • Religion: Trivikram was a follower of Jainism, evident from his salutation to Mahavira in the introductory verses. His respect for Virasena and Jinasena, and his indication of belonging to the Digambara sect, are also noted. His mention of Hemachandra suggests an openness to influences beyond his sect.
    • Place: While specific details are unavailable, his adherence to Jain Digambara principles, the names of his father, brother, and guru, and the popularity and manuscript locations of his grammar suggest he was South Indian, possibly from Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh. The inclusion of words like 'dodisayambhojanam' (which appear in Dravidian languages) in his Desya list, which are not found in Hemachandra's work, supports this.
    • Time: Trivikram mentions Virasena and Jinasena, who were active around the mid-9th century CE. He also mentions Hemachandra, who died in 1172 CE. This places Trivikram after the late 12th century, but not long after Hemachandra. Considering later grammarians like Simharaja, Lakshmidhara, and Appayadikshit (who died in 1626 CE), and the references within their works, Trivikram is estimated to have lived in the late 13th century CE. Dr. A. N. Upadhye suggests he composed his grammar shortly after 1236 CE.

  5. Trivikram's Grammatical Work:

    • Structure: Some scholars believe the sutras are by Valmiki and the commentary is by Trivikram, but Dr. P. L. Vaidya and others maintain that both the sutras and the commentary are by Trivikram.
    • Commentary's Purpose: Trivikram states his commentary is to enable practitioners to gain mastery over the subject, following traditional methods, and uses concise but insightful language like a mirror.
    • Methodology: He follows the traditional approach used by grammarians before Hemachandra.
    • Content: The grammar discusses Prakrit forms, adhering to the methodology of earlier Acharyas up to Hemachandra.
    • Prakrit's Nature: Trivikram distinguishes between Maharashtri Prakrit (the main Prakrit) and Arsha (the language of the Agamas of the Shvetambara Jains, i.e., Ardhamagadhi). He states that Arsha and Desya (local dialects) are conventional and largely independent, understood through tradition rather than strict grammar. Grammatical rules apply to Prakrit languages where words can be traced back to Sanskrit roots.

  6. Methodology of the Hindi Translation:

    • The translation is based on the original text edited by Dr. P. L. Vaidya.
    • Key points highlighted for readers:
      • The translation is based on the original text, with corrections for printing errors.
      • Only the commentary (Vrittika) is translated, as the meaning of the sutras is embedded within it.
      • Sanskrit roots for Prakrit words, when not in the commentary, are provided in parentheses.
      • Necessary words for clarity are included in parentheses.
      • Apabhramsha stanzas are followed by their Sanskrit translation and then the Hindi translation.
      • Cross-references to other sutras are provided where needed.
      • Footnotes are included at relevant places.
      • Sutra numbers are provided after each translated sutra.
      • Technical terms are briefly explained in the concluding notes.

  7. Key Grammatical Concepts Covered (as seen in the translated sutras):

    • The text begins with foundational grammatical concepts like Siddhi (acquisition/establishment), Anukta (unmentioned rules), Samjña (technical terms), Pratyahara (allied characters), Svara (vowels), Vyanjana (consonants), Hrasva (short vowel), Dirgha (long vowel), Shashasaḥ śuḥ (pronounciation of certain sibilants), Saḥ samāsaḥ (compound), ādiḥ khuḥ (initial consonant), go gaṇaparaḥ (principal word in a group), dvitiyaḥ phuḥ (second consonant), Sanyuktaṁ stu (consonant clusters), tu vikalpe (optionality), prāyo riti na vikalpaḥ (generally no option in lit), śiti dīrghaḥ (long vowel before shit), sānunāsikoccāraṁ ṅit (ṅ-anusvara pronunciation), bahuḷam (various rules), dvidhā mithaḥ se (dual forms of compounds), sandhistvapade (sandhi in compounds), na yāṇ (non-replacement of 'yan'), eṅaḥ (vowels e and o), śeṣe'cyacaḥ (vowel after consonant deletion), tiṅaḥ (verb endings), lopaḥ (deletion), antyahalo'śradudī (final consonants except śr, ud), nirdurivā (nis, dus prefixes), antarica nāci (antar prefix), śi śluṅnapuṇari tu (napuṇar word with śi and luṅ), avidyuti striyāmāla (feminine final consonant becomes 'a'), ro rā (final 'r' in feminine becomes 'rā'), haḥ kṣutkakubhi (final consonant of kṣudh, kakubh becomes 'ha'), dhanuṣi vā (dhanus ending), saśāśiśi (āśiś word), sa āyurasarasoḥ (āyus, apasaras words), dikprāvuṣi (dik, prāvuṣ words), śaradāmataḥ (śarad words), tu sakṣiṇabhavantajammaṇ-mahantāḥ (sakṣin, bhavat, janman, mahat words), yattatsamyagviṣv-akpṛthako mal (yat, tat, samyak, viṣvāk, pṛthak words), mo'civa (final 'm' before vowel), vindulū (anusvāra from 'm'), halu uṇṇanām (nasalization before hal), svarebhyo vakrādau (vakra and others), ktvāsupostu suṇāt (ktvā, sup), luṅmāsādau (māsa words), saṁskārē (saṁskāra words), de tu kiṁśuke (kiṁśuka word), vargē'ntyaḥ (varga ending), viṁśatiṣu tyā (viṁśati words), snamadāmaśiro-1.1.49 (snamadāmaśironabhaḥ words), śaradāmat (śarad words), yattatsamyagviṣvak-1.1.38 (yat, tat, samyak, viṣvāk, pṛthak words), mo'civa (final 'm' before vowel), vindulū (anusvāra from 'm'), halu uṇṇanām (nasalization before hal), svarebhyo vakrādau (vakra and others), ktvāsupo stu suṇāt (ktvā, sup), luṅmāsādau (māsa words), saṁskāre (saṁskāra words), de tu kiṁśuke (kiṁśuka word), vargē'ntyaḥ (varga ending), viṁśatiṣu tyā (viṁśati words), snamadāmaśiro-1.1.49 (snamadāmaśironabhaḥ words), śaradamataḥ (śarad words), yattatsamyagviṣvak-1.1.38 (yat, tat, samyak, viṣvāk, pṛthak words), mo'civa (final 'm' before vowel), vindulū (anusvāra from 'm'), halu uṇṇanām (nasalization before hal), svarebhyo vakrādau (vakra and others), ktvāsupo stu suṇāt (ktvā, sup), luṅmāsādau (māsa words), saṁskāre (saṁskāra words), de tu kiṁśuke (kiṁśuka word), vargē'ntyaḥ (varga ending), viṁśatiṣu tyā (viṁśati words), snamadāmaśiro-1.1.49 (snamadāmaśironabhaḥ words), śaradamataḥ (śarad words), yattatsamyagviṣvak-1.1.38 (yat, tat, samyak, viṣvāk, pṛthak words), mo'civa (final 'm' before vowel), vindulū (anusvāra from 'm'), halu uṇṇanām (nasalization before hal), svarebhyo vakrādau (vakra and others), ktvāsupo stu suṇāt (ktvā, sup), luṅmāsādau (māsa words), saṁskāre (saṁskāra words), de tu kiṁśuke (kiṁśuka word), vargē'ntyaḥ (varga ending), viṁśatiṣu tyā (viṁśati words).

This summary provides a detailed overview of the book's publication, its author, the historical context of the grammar, and the general approach to the Hindi translation. It also touches upon the initial grammatical rules and concepts covered in the beginning of the text.