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Home / IAS Preparation / Prakrit

The Enriching Tapestry of Prakrit: An Ancient Language and Cultural Harbinger

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The enigmatic sphere of language and linguistics houses several wonders, one such fascinating marvel being Prakrit. A suite of Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Prakrit, was widely spoken across the Indian subcontinent, contributing significantly to literature, culture, and the evolution of Indian languages. Rooted in the 3rd century BCE, Prakrit provides intriguing insights into ancient India's linguistic landscape.

This in-depth exploration of Prakrit not only unveils its compelling history but also dives deep into its major groups, illuminates famous literary works penned in Prakrit, and elaborates on its enduring relevance for UPSC aspirants.

History And Origin of Prakrit

Venturing into the labyrinth of time, Prakrit's origin stems from the Vedic Sanskrit used in ancient Indian scriptures. While Sanskrit served as the language of the elite and scholars, Prakrit, meaning 'natural' or 'ordinary,' emerged as the language of the masses.

The development of Prakrit is generally categorized into three stages:

  • Early Prakrit (circa 3rd century BCE – 1st century CE): This stage corresponds to Emperor Ashoka's reign, where Prakrit was used extensively in inscriptions, known as Ashokan edicts.
  • Middle Prakrit (circa 1st century – 3rd century CE): This phase saw the proliferation of Prakrit in literature, especially in the canonical texts of Jainism.
  • Late Prakrit (circa 3rd century – 12th century CE): During this stage, Prakrit started giving way to Apabhramsa and later regional languages, but remained a literary language.

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Major Groups of Prakrit

Prakrit's multiplicity is evidenced by its various forms and dialects. The key groups of Prakrit include:

  • Maharashtri Prakrit: This was the Prakrit par excellence, the literary standard for centuries and the language of choice for poets. It later evolved into Marathi.
  • Shauraseni Prakrit: Utilized in royal courts and dramas, Shauraseni Prakrit is the root of modern Hindi and Punjabi.
  • Magadhi Prakrit: Originating in the Magadha kingdom, it formed the basis for modern languages like Bengali, Assamese, and Oriya.
  • Ardhamagadhi Prakrit: The canonical texts of Jainism were written in this dialect.

Prakrit Literature: A Journey Through Time

The rich tapestry of Prakrit Literature reflects the everyday life, values, and culture of the ancient Indian populace. Known for its simplicity and relatability, the works in Prakrit encapsulate various themes, including love, valour, morality, and spirituality. Among the 'Major Prakrit Literatures', the following stand out:

Poetry and Anthologies

One of the earliest examples of Prakrit literature, 'Gāhā Sattasaī' or 'Gatha Saptashati', attributed to King Hāla, is a testament to Maharashtri Prakrit's poetic prowess. This anthology, composed of around 700 verses, captures the essence of love and human emotions in the rural backdrop of ancient India.

Jain Canonical Texts

Prakrit boasts an impressive collection of religious texts, notably the Jain Agamas or canonical literature. Authored in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, these texts form the backbone of Jain philosophy, history, and rituals. These include the Ācāranga Sūtra, Sūtrakrtanga, and others that offer profound insights into the spiritual and ethical tenets of Jainism.

Dramas and Plays

The world of Sanskrit drama often witnessed the use of Prakrit for dialogues of women, servants, and other non-elite characters, thus making it a vital part of dramatic literature. Playwrights like Bhasa and Shudraka have used Shauraseni Prakrit in their works, such as 'Svapna Vasavadattam' and 'Mricchakatika', to depict dialogues of certain characters, accentuating the authenticity of their societal status.

Prakrit Grammars

Texts like 'Prākrita Prakasha' by Vararuchi and 'Prakrit Siksha' by Hemachandra offer an excellent exposition of Prakrit grammar rules and structures, serving as important literary works for language studies.

The Prakrit literature, thus, not only enhances our understanding of the language but also opens a window into the social, cultural, and philosophical ethos of ancient India.

Famous Literary Works in Prakrit

Prakrit's impact is felt profoundly in the realm of literature. A few of the most prominent literary works in Prakrit are:

  • Jaina Canonical Literature (Agamas): The primary texts of Jainism were written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
  • Gāhā Sattasaī (Seven Hundred Verses): This anthology of romantic and erotic verses, attributed to King Hāla, was written in Maharashtri Prakrit.
  • Prakrit plays of Shudraka and Bhasa: Many Indian dramas, such as the plays of Shudraka and Bhasa, featured Prakrit for dialogues of women and commoners.

Influence of Prakrit Language

The influence of Prakrit transcends time and geographical boundaries, permeating various facets of Indian and Southeast Asian cultures.

Impact on Indian Languages

Prakrit is the ancestral language of many modern Indian languages. Maharashtri Prakrit paved the way for Marathi, Shauraseni Prakrit laid the foundation for Hindi and Punjabi, and Magadhi Prakrit evolved into Bengali, Assamese, and Oriya. Many vernacular languages still carry traces of Prakrit in their lexicon, grammar, and phonology.

Influence on Southeast Asian Languages

Prakrit also left its imprint on the languages of Southeast Asia. It greatly influenced Sinhalese, the language of Sri Lanka, and even the languages of ancient Indo-Malayan kingdoms, revealing the far-reaching impact of Prakrit.

Importance of Prakrit Language

The importance of Prakrit can hardly be overstated.

Cultural Importance

Prakrit served as the cultural bridge between the elite and the masses. By being the language of commoners, it reflected the true societal fabric of ancient India, thereby helping us understand our history and heritage better.

Linguistic Importance

From a linguistic perspective, Prakrit is a critical link between Sanskrit and modern Indo-Aryan languages. It holds the key to understanding the phonetic and morphological changes that transpired in the transition from Old to Middle Indo-Aryan stage.

Literary Importance

Prakrit, being the language of choice for many celebrated poets, playwrights, and Jain canonical literature, occupies a central place in Indian literary history. Its simplicity and expressiveness brought a refreshing change in the literary milieu dominated by Sanskrit.

Decline of Prakrit

The decline of Prakrit began around the 8th century CE, as it gradually started giving way to the Apabhramsa and various regional languages. Several factors contributed to the decline of Prakrit:

  • Rise of Regional Languages: As local vernaculars began to develop and gain prominence, Prakrit's popularity started to wane.
  • Sanskrit Revival: There was a resurgence of Sanskrit, particularly in literature and royal courts, which led to a decreased usage of Prakrit.
  • Advent of Islamic Rule: The advent of Islamic rule in India introduced Persian and Arabic, pushing Prakrit further into the shadows.

Despite its decline, Prakrit continues to live through its descendants, contributing significantly to the linguistic diversity and richness of the Indian subcontinent.

The Relevance of Prakrit for UPSC Aspirants

For UPSC aspirants, understanding Prakrit is invaluable. It not only enriches their knowledge about ancient India's linguistic and cultural milieu but also provides crucial insights for the Ancient Indian History and Culture portions of the syllabus. Additionally, its close connection with Jainism and Buddhism and its role in shaping modern Indian languages make Prakrit indispensable in comprehending the historical, religious, and linguistic evolution of India.

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Prakrit FAQs

While Prakrit isn't used in daily communication today, it continues to live through its modern descendants like Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, etc. It also remains a subject of academic research and studies, particularly in historical linguistics and Indology.

Prakrit and Sanskrit, although intertwined, differ mainly in their usage and structure. Sanskrit was the language of the learned, with strict grammatical rules, while Prakrit, more colloquial, was the language of the common people.

Yes, Prakrit had a significant impact on the languages of Southeast Asia. It influenced languages like Sinhalese in Sri Lanka and languages of the ancient Indo-Malayan kingdoms.

Pali, often considered a Prakrit, was the language of the Theravada Buddhist scriptures. While Pali shares similarities with Prakrit, it also exhibits unique characteristics, leading some scholars to classify it separately.

Studying Prakrit offers valuable insights into ancient Indian society, culture, and history. It helps decode historical texts, inscriptions, plays, and poems, and provides a nuanced understanding of the evolution of Indian languages.
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