The Sanskrit Drama in its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice c9.s3.9

c9.s3.9

The theory of the *Nāṭyaçāstra* assigns Ardha-Māgadhī as the language of savants, sons of kings or Rājputs, and Çreṣṭhins, rich merchants, but, with the exception of Bhāsa’s *Karṇabhāra*, it does not appear in the extant dramas. Māgadhī, on the contrary, is required in the case of men who live in the women’s apartments, diggers of underground passages, keepers of drink shops, watchers, the hero himself in time of danger, and the Çakāra. Into which category the Duṣṭa falls is not certain; the Daçarūpa ascribes this Prākṛit to low people in general.