Prakruta Prakasa - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Prakruta Prakasa" by Jagganath Shastri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Prakruta Prakasa (प्राकृत-प्रकाश:) Author: Vararuci (वररुचि) - with commentary by Bhamaha (भामह), Mathura Prasad Dixit ( मथुराप्रसाददीक्षित), and edited/annotated by Jagannath Shastri Hoshirige (जगन्नाथशास्त्रिहोशिङ्ग). Publisher: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan (चौखम्भा संस्कृत संस्थान) Context: This is a Jain text focused on the grammar of Prakrit language, specifically based on the foundational work of Vararuci. The provided text includes a preface, introduction, and the first few chapters of the grammar.

Core Subject: The book is a grammar of the Prakrit language, aiming to illuminate its rules and structure ("Prakasa" meaning light or illumination). It is presented with multiple layers of commentary in Sanskrit and Hindi, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Key Themes and Arguments Presented in the Prefaces/Introductions:

The Nature and Importance of Prakrit:
- Prakrit is presented as a language derived from Sanskrit ("Prakritiḥ saṃskṛtaṃ, tataḥ āgataṃ vā prākṛtam"). However, there's a discussion about whether Sanskrit is derived from Prakrit ("pratyuta prākṛtamūlakam eva saṃskṛtam"). Some also suggest a Vedic origin. Sanskrit is considered the "Prakriti" (source), and Prakrit is derived from it.
- The text highlights the importance of Prakrit in literature, particularly in dramas, where it was used to represent various characters and dialects ("nānādeśasamutthaṃ hi kāvyaṃ bhavati nāṭake").
- Prakrit poetry is described as beautiful and capable of conveying profound meaning ("prākṛtaṃ hāri priyāvaktrendusundaram").
The Author and His Work:
- Vararuci is identified as the primary author of the Prakrit grammar rules.
- There's a discussion about the identity of Vararuci, mentioning the possibility of him being the same as Katyayana, the author of Varttikas on Panini's grammar, and also associated with works like Brihat Samhita.
- The "Prakruta Prakasa" itself is considered the earliest grammar of Prakrit.
Commentaries and Editions:
- The book includes several commentaries:
  - "Manorama" (मनोरमा) by Bhamaha (भामह), considered the oldest.
  - "Chandrika" (चन्द्रिका) by Mahamahopadhyaya Mathura Prasad Dixit (महामहोपाध्याय श्रीमथुराप्रसाददीक्षित), a Sanskrit commentary.
  - "Pradipa" (प्रदीप) by Mathura Prasad Dixit, a simple Hindi commentary.
  - "Tippani Parishishta" (टिप्पणीपरिशिष्ट) by Udayaram Shastri Dabral (श्रीमदुदयरामशास्त्रिडबराल).
- The current edition is praised for its comprehensive nature, including these various commentaries, making it more valuable than previous editions.
Classification of Prakrit and Related Languages:
- Vararuci's classification of Prakrit includes Paisachi, Magadhi, and Sauraseni, with Paisachi and Magadhi being modifications of Sauraseni. Sauraseni is seen as a modification of Sanskrit.
- Other grammarians like Hemachandra, Markandeya, Dandin, and Purana Vagbhatta are mentioned for their contributions to classifying Prakrit and its varieties (e.g., Upschulipaisachi, Arsha Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Nagar, Bhrachat, Upachara, etc.).
- The text also touches upon Apabhramsha and its relation to Prakrit and Sanskrit, noting different views on their origins and interactions.
The Goal of the Work:
- The aim is to present a clear and accessible grammar of Prakrit, enabling its study and understanding.
- The inclusion of Sanskrit and Hindi commentaries is intended to aid learners of different backgrounds.
- The editors emphasize their effort to revise and clarify the text, referencing various manuscripts and previous editions.

Content of the Grammar Chapters (First Few):

Chapter 1 (Prathamah Parichchheda - सन्धिविधि): This chapter deals with sandhi rules in Prakrit, specifically focusing on changes to initial vowels (e.g., 'a' becoming 'ā', 'i', 'e'; 'u' becoming 'o'; 'ṛ' becoming 'a' or 'ri'; 'ai' becoming 'e'; 'au' becoming 'u'). It covers rules related to changes in initial sounds of words like samṛddhi, īṣat, śayyā, badara, lavana, mayūra, caturthī, and others, providing examples and referencing other grammarians' opinions.
Chapter 2 (Dvitiyah Parichchheda - अयुक्तादि वर्णलोपादि विचारः): This chapter focuses on phonological changes involving consonant and vowel elision, substitution, and assimilation. It details rules for the elision of initial vowels ('a', 'i', 'u'), the interchange of consonants (e.g., 'k' to 'g', 'c' to 'j', 't' to 'd', 'p' to 'v', 'ś'/'ṣ' to 's', 'kh'/'gh'/'th'/'dh'/'ph'/'bh' to 'h'), and other sound changes relevant to Prakrit formation. It also mentions the concept of "bahula" (बहुलम्), indicating variability in these changes.
Chapter 3 (Tritiyah Parichchheda - युक्तविचारः): This chapter delves into rules concerning conjunct consonants (yukta). It covers the elision of conjunct consonants or parts of them, as well as changes within conjunct clusters. Examples include rules for 'kt', 'kk', 'gg', 'tt', 'dd', 'pp', 'bb', 'śś', 'rr', 'll', 'vv', 'y', 'ś', 'ṣ', 's', 'k', 'c', 'j', 'ṭ', 'ḍ', 't', 'd', 'p', 'b', and their transformations, often with the concept of "bahula" (variety) applying.
Chapter 4 (Chaturthah Parichchheda - सन्धिविधि): This chapter continues the discussion on sandhi rules. It covers vowel and consonant changes in word combinations, elisions, and metathesis, with a particular focus on the rules applicable to various verb conjugations and noun declensions, as well as common idiomatic expressions and changes. It also introduces the concept of "bahula" again, emphasizing the flexibility and variety in Prakrit sound changes.
Chapter 5 (Panchamah Parichchheda - सुब्विधि): This chapter focuses on the declension of nouns and pronouns in Prakrit. It outlines the case endings and their changes in different genders and numbers, drawing parallels and contrasts with Sanskrit. Rules for pronouns like 'idam', 'etad', 'kim', 'yad', 'tad', 'asmad', 'yushmad', and 'sarvanama' are discussed in detail, including their various forms in different cases and their relation to Sanskrit.
Chapter 6 (Shashthah Parichchheda - लिङ्गविभक्त्यादेशः): This chapter continues with grammatical rules related to gender, case, and verbal conjugations, providing specific rules for different categories of words and their interactions with case endings. It elaborates on the rules for pronouns and the exceptions and variations encountered.
Chapter 7 (Saptamah Parichchheda - धात्वादि विचारः): This chapter focuses on verb conjugations (dhatu) in Prakrit. It explains how Sanskrit verb roots are transformed into Prakrit forms, covering tenses, moods, and persons, and detailing specific phonetic changes that occur. Rules for common verbs like 'bhū' (to be), 'kṛ' (to do), 'dṛś' (to see), 'smṛ' (to remember), 'mṛj' (to clean), etc., are provided.
Chapter 8 (Ashtamah Parichchheda - निपात विचारः): This chapter deals with "nipātas" (indeclinables or particles) in Prakrit. It explains the usage and meaning of various indeclinables such as 'kiṃ', 'huṃ', 'cira', 'va', 'no', 're', 'are', 'hi', 'e', 'al', 'cira', 'na', 'vā', 'ca', 'hi', 're', 'ho', 'hu', 'ṇ', 'va', 'm', etc., and how they function in sentences to convey specific nuances of meaning like doubt, certainty, prohibition, question, emphasis, etc.
Chapter 9 (Navamah Parichchheda - निपातविचारः): This chapter continues the discussion on indeclinables, introducing more particles and their usage in different contexts such as questioning ('kiṃ'), prohibition ('alāhi'), certainty ('huṃ', 'khu'), and conversations ('ai', 'va'). It also emphasizes the poetic and expressive role of these particles.
Chapter 10 (Dashamah Parichchheda - पैशाची): This chapter specifically details the rules of Paisachi Prakrit, one of the major dialects. It outlines the specific phonological and grammatical changes that distinguish Paisachi from other Prakrit forms and Sanskrit, with examples.
Chapter 11 (Ekadashah Parichchheda - मागधी): This chapter focuses on Magadhi Prakrit, another significant dialect. It explains the unique rules and features of Magadhi, highlighting its differences from Sauraseni and other Prakrit forms.
Chapter 12 (Dvadashah Parichchheda - शौरसेनी): This chapter is dedicated to Sauraseni Prakrit. It explains the grammatical rules and characteristic features of Sauraseni, often presenting it as the base or a primary form from which other dialects are derived, and contrasting it with Sanskrit and other Prakrit variations.

Overall Significance: The "Prakruta Prakasa" by Vararuci, with the extensive commentaries provided in this edition, serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the Prakrit language. It covers phonetic changes, grammatical transformations, declensions, conjugations, and the specific nuances of different Prakrit dialects, making it invaluable for scholars of ancient Indian languages and literature. The meticulous editing and inclusion of multiple commentaries by Jagannath Shastri aim to provide a robust and authoritative version of this classical text.