Studies in the Epics and Puranas c9.18

c9.18

It is interesting in this connection to note the similar case of the Mahābhārata as it also belongs to the so-called Kṣatriya tradition, and scholars like Grierson actually contended that the epic was originally composed in Prakrit.¹³ The same arguments are applicable in both cases. As the epics and the Purāṇas were intended to cater for the general public, to instruct them and to make a popular appeal, it was but inevitable that there should be an influence of popular speech both on the composers and transmitters of the tradition. With regard to the metrical irregularities in the Mahābhārata, Prof. Hopkins has attributed them to the influence of popular speech,¹⁴ which can with equal justice be applied to the case of the Purāṇas as well.