Sankshipta Prakrit Shabda Roopmala

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Sankshipta Prakrit Shabda Roopmala

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sankshipta Prakrit Shabda Roopmala" by Chandrodayvijay, based on the provided pages:

Title: Sankshipta Prakrit Shabda Roopmala (Concise Prakrit Word Forms) Author: Muni Chandrodayvijay Publisher: Zaverchand Ramaji Shah Series: Shri Nemi-Vigyan Granthamala, Jewels 14-15

Overall Purpose and Content:

This book is a concise and simplified guide to Prakrit grammar, specifically focusing on the declension of nouns and pronouns (Shabda Roopmala) and the conjugation of verbs (Dhatu Roopmala). It is intended for beginners and students who are studying Prakrit, particularly within the Jain tradition. The author's aim is to make the learning process easier and more accessible than previous, more extensive works.

Key Features and Structure:

  • Simplified Approach: The book is designed to be small and extremely simple, making it easy for students to grasp the fundamental word and verb forms.
  • Focus on Prakrit: It is dedicated to the Prakrit language, a significant language in Jain scriptures and literature.
  • Pedagogical Design: The author has presented word forms in the format of gathas (verses) to aid memorization. Verb conjugations are also systematically arranged.
  • Guidance for Learners: The author provides introductory notes to help students navigate the material with minimal difficulty.
  • Reliance on Standard Texts: The compilation draws heavily from existing Prakrit grammatical works, specifically:
    1. Shri Prakrit Vyakarana (Prakrit Grammar)
    2. Shri Prakrit Vigyan Pathamala (Prakrit Science Series)
    3. Shri Prakrit Roopmala (Prakrit Forms)
  • Inclusion of Dhatu Roopmala: The text is presented in two volumes, with the first volume focusing on noun and pronoun declensions (Shabda Roopmala) and the second volume focusing on verb conjugations (Dhatu Roopmala). The summary provided primarily covers the Shabda Roopmala part.

Detailed Breakdown of Content (Shabda Roopmala - Noun and Pronoun Forms):

The book systematically presents the declensions of various types of nouns and pronouns, covering different genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) and cases.

Masculine Nouns (Pulling):

  • Vowel-ending:
    • A-ending (e.g., Jin, Veer): Demonstrates the changes in different cases and numbers.
    • I-ending (e.g., Muni, Nemi): Details the various forms.
    • U-ending (e.g., Guru, Sadhu): Shows the declensions.
    • Ṛ-ending (e.g., Kattar - Kartr, Piyer - Piyu): Explains the complexities of these endings in Prakrit, noting how the 'r' often transforms.
    • N-ending (e.g., Appa-Appana, Ray-Rayana): Covers nouns ending in 'n', showing the variations.
  • Consonant-ending: The text also covers consonant-ending masculine nouns, although specific examples beyond the 'ṛ' and 'n' ending types are not explicitly detailed in the provided text.

Feminine Nouns (Striling):

  • Vowel-ending:
    • A-ending (e.g., Daya, Rama): Presents the declensions for feminine nouns ending in 'a'.
    • I-ending (e.g., Buddhi, Thui): Shows the forms for feminine nouns ending in 'i'.
    • Ī-ending (e.g., Nai, Ithi): Details the declensions for feminine nouns ending in 'ī'.
    • U-ending (e.g., Dhenu, Tanu): Illustrates the forms for feminine nouns ending in 'u'.
    • Ū-ending (e.g., Bahu, Sasu): Covers feminine nouns ending in 'ū'.
    • Ṛ-ending (e.g., Maa, Maara): Explains the declensions for feminine nouns ending in 'ṛ'.
    • S-ending (e.g., Sasa, Duhita): Presents the forms for feminine nouns ending in 's'.
    • T-ending (e.g., Viju, Vidyut): Shows the declensions for feminine nouns ending in 't'.
    • A-ending (e.g., Achchara, Girā): Details the forms for feminine nouns ending in 'a' (which can sometimes be derived from consonant stems).

Neuter Nouns (Napunsakaling):

  • Vowel-ending:
    • A-ending (e.g., Naan, Dhan): Explains the declensions for neuter nouns ending in 'a'.
    • I-ending (e.g., Dahi, Vari): Shows the forms for neuter nouns ending in 'i'.
    • U-ending (e.g., Mahu, Jaanu): Details the declensions for neuter nouns ending in 'u'.
  • Consonant-ending:
    • Ṛ-ending (e.g., Kattar - Kattru): Presents the neuter forms for 'ṛ' ending nouns.
    • S-ending (e.g., Sej, Samm, Vay, Chakshu, Dhanu): Covers neuter nouns ending in 's', noting variations and sometimes dual gender usage (e.g., Chakshu).
    • N-ending (e.g., Daam, Nah, Sir): Shows the declensions for neuter nouns ending in 'n'.

Pronouns (Sarvanaama):

The book also includes sections on the declensions of demonstrative and interrogative pronouns:

  • Savva (Sarva - All): Demonstrates the forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.
  • Ta (Tad - That): Covers the declensions for all three genders.
  • Ja (Yat - Which/Who): Details the forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.
  • Ka (Kim - Who/What): Explains the forms for all three genders.
  • Ea (Etad - This): Shows the declensions for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.
  • Ima (Idam - This): Covers the forms for all three genders.
  • Amu (Adas - That): Details the forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.
  • Tumha (Yushmad - You, plural): Provides forms that are generally the same across genders.
  • Amha (Asmad - We, plural): Offers forms that are generally the same across genders.

Other Important Aspects:

  • Number Words (Sankhya Bodhaka): The text includes the declensions of number words like Ega (one), Do (two), Tini (three), Chattaari (four), Pancha (five), Chha (six), Satta (seven), Atta (eight), Nava (nine), Dasa (ten), and higher numbers like Veesa (twenty) and Satthi (sixty), showing their usage in different genders.
  • Special Notes: The book includes important grammatical notes, such as the replacement of the fourth case with the sixth in Prakrit in certain contexts, and specific phonetic changes.

The "Dhatu Roopmala" (Verb Forms) - A Companion Volume:

While the detailed summary above focuses on the "Shabda Roopmala," the text is complemented by "Sankshipta Prakrit Dhatu Roopmala," which covers verb conjugations. This second volume systematically presents:

  • Verb Stems (Dhatu): Begins with basic verb roots.
  • Tenses: Covers present tense, past tense, future tense, and imperative/injunctive moods.
  • Voices: Includes active voice (Kartri) and passive voice (Karmani).
  • Persons and Numbers: Details forms for first, second, and third person, singular and plural.
  • Causative Verbs (Preraka): Explains the conjugation of causative forms.
  • Verbs in Different Moods: Includes verb forms for conditional (Kriyātipatya) and other moods.

Significance and Context:

"Sankshipta Prakrit Shabda Roopmala" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and use the Prakrit language within the Jain tradition. Its simplified approach makes complex grammatical structures more accessible, fostering a deeper engagement with Jain scriptures and literature. The author, Muni Chandrodayvijay, has presented this work with the blessings and guidance of esteemed Acharyas, ensuring its accuracy and utility for students.