Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s1.t3: Language

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s1.t3

Language: English

Language

c13.s1.t3.1

As we have seen among various classes of Āryans, Bhāsāiyas or the Āryans by language are mentioned. It is said that they spoke Ardhamāgadhī and knew the Brāhmī script ²⁰

It is stated that Mahāvīra preached his religion in *Ardhamāgadhī*.²¹ The Jain saints are said to have preached in this language for the benefit of women, children, old men and illiterate people.²² The Jain authors, however, explain the term *Ardhamāgadhī* differently. According to the *Nisītha cūṇi*,²³ *Ardhamāgadhī* either was the language of half of Magadha or it comprised the eighteen kinds of *Desībhāsā*.

c13.s1.t3.4

²¹ *Sama* p 57, also *O ā sū* 34, p 146

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²² *Ācā cū* 7, p 255. According to the Jain mythology, the preachings of Mahāvīra in *Ardhamāgadhī* were understood by all alike without any distinction whatsoever, (*Sama* p 57), cf *Vibhanga* com (387f) where it is stated that if children grow up without being taught any language, they will spontaneously use the Magadha language, it is spread all over *mṛṣa*, among, lower animals *pasu*, human beings and *devas*

c13.s1.t3.6

²³ 11, p 733. According to Hemacandra, the main characteristic of *Māgadhī* noticed in *Ardhamāgadhī* is the termination 'e' in nominative singular in masculine (*Prākṛta Vyākaraṇa*, sū 287), also *Bhag ṭ*, *O ā sū* 17, 34

c13.s1.t3.7

It may be noted, however, that Hemacandra in his *Prākṛta Vyākaraṇa* deals with *Prākṛta*, *Śaurasenī*, *Māgadhī*, *Paiśācī* and *Apabhraṃśa* languages, but not with *Ardhamāgadhī* or *Ārṣa Prākṛta*. Haribhadra sūri also quotes a verse in his commentary on the *Dasaveyāliya*²⁴ which indicates that the language of the Jain Canons was known as *Prākṛta* and not *Ardhamāgadhī*. However, it must be admitted that the language of the present Jain Canons has undergone considerable changes and should be considered different from that in which the canons were originally composed.²⁵

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²⁴ p 203

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²⁵ See Pt Bechudas's article on *Ardhamāgadhī Bhāsā* in the *Purātattva* 3 4 p 346, also *Gujarātī Bhāsā nu Uthanti* pp 107-20, Bombay 1943, also B V Bapat, *I H Q*, 1928, p 23, A B Keith, the *Home of Pali*, *Buddhist Studies*, pp 728ff

Cites (6)

Pannavaṇā — Śyāmārya, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
Vibhaṅga — Pāli
Dasaveyāliya — Śayyambhava, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
Āyāraṃgacuṇṇi — Jinadāsagaṇi Mahattara, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit
Samavāyaṃga — Sudharman, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
Ohanijjutti — Bhadrabāhu & Bhadrabāhu II, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit