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Among the various communities found, Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan, and Iranian were also included. The Indo-Aryan language is divided into three categories: Old Indo-Aryan, Middle Indo-Aryan, and New Indo-Aryan. Between 600 BCE and 1000 CE, the Middle Indo-Aryan languages developed, including Prakrit, Pali, and Apabhramsa. Languages like Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, and so on started forming around 1100 CE, which were part of the New Indo-Aryan language. Thus, from 600 BCE to 1000 CE, the Middle Indo-Aryans spoke languages known as Prakrits. Later on, Sanskrit became the community’s regional language. Pali was one of the older varieties of Prakrit that was widely used by Buddhists. However, the Prakrit literature is entirely focused on Jainism. This topic is important from the examination point of view, as it may appear in exams like UPSC, SSC and EPFO. Keep reading to learn more about Prakrit literature!
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What is Prakit Literature?
Beyond simply being an old archive of work, Prakrit literature is a clear record of the diversity of languages and culture of ancient India.
- The Middle Indo-Aryans spoke a regional language called Prakrit, which was thought to have come before classical Sanskrit.
- Religious, literary, dramatic, inscriptional, and grammar-focused Prakrits make up the majority of Prakrit literature.
- In Saraswati-Kanthabharana, Bhoja lists Prakrit as one of the primary languages suited for creating literature.
- Works that discussed praising the rulers and ministers were written in Prakrit.
- It was also used to write songs, plays, religious beliefs, government documents, and inscriptions.
- In ancient India, the language of choice for writing romantic tales was Prakrit.
- Prakrit literature contains a few imaginary romances, such as Tarangavati by Palitta (written most likely in the first or second century) and Samaradity-Charitra by Haribhadra (published in the eighth century).
Famous Prakrit Languages
Around the 3rd century BCE, languages from different parts of ancient India gave rise to the Prakrit literature. Among them, the well-known Prakrit languages are:
- Ardhamagadhi: Related to Jain writings, especially the Agamas.
- Maharashtri: A common term in ancient Indian lyrical poetry.
- Shauraseni: The script used for traditional Sanskrit plays.
- Pali: Although not strictly a Prakrit, the language of the Theravada Buddhist literature is related.
Also Read: List of 24 Jain Tirthankaras
Prakrit Literature: A Journey Through Time
The daily lives, morals, and cultural practices of the people of ancient India are reflected in the richness of Prakrit literature. Prakrit literature, which is well-known for its connection and simplicity, includes a wide range of topics, such as morality, love, courage, and spirituality. Following are the important Major Prakrit Literature:
Poems and Anthologies
Maharashtri Prakrit’s poetic talent is showcased in ‘Gāhā Sattasaī’ or ‘Gatha Saptashati,’ which is one of the oldest pieces of Prakrit literature. With 700 verses, this anthology portrays the core of human emotions and love in the context of rural ancient India.
Jain Canonical Texts
With the Jain Agamas or canonical literature, Prakrit has a remarkable collection. These works, which were written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, serve as the foundation for Jain history, philosophy, and rituals. These include the Sūtrakrtanga, the Ācāranga Sūtra, and other texts that provide deep insights into the moral and spiritual principles of Jainism.
Drama and Plays
Prakrit literature plays an important role in dramatic writing since it is often used in the world of Sanskrit drama. Dramatic artists like Bhasa and Shudraka have used Shauraseni Prakrit in plays like ‘Svapna Vasavadattam’ and ‘Mricchakatika’ to show the conversations of certain characters and highlight the reality of their place in society.
Prakrit Grammars
Prakrit grammar rules and structures are brilliantly explained in texts such as Vararuchi’s Prakriti Prakasha and Hemachandra’s Prakrit Siksha, which are essential works for language studies.
Key Texts in Prakrit Literature
Every piece of literature has some famous texts that are known for life. Similarly, Prakrit literature also had some of its ancient writings, which gave this language a rise. Some of them are mentioned below:
Jain Agamas: These are the official Jainism texts, mostly written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. They offer deep insights into the Jain way of life and Mahavira’s teachings.
Gathasaptashati: The well-known collection of Maharashtri Prakrit poetry, Gathasaptashati, belongs to the Satavahana king. It is regarded as one of the most mature and ancient compilations of religious poetry in Indian literature.
Dramas by Kalidasa: Though he wrote mostly in Sanskrit, Kalidasa frequently included dialogue in the Prakrit language in his plays, such as “Shakuntala,” particularly for female characters and simple folk, which reflected the everyday speech of the day.
Vaddaradhane: A collection of Jain tales written in Shauraseni Prakrit provides us with an insight into Jainism’s moral and ethical teachings.
Also Read: What are the Ancient Indian Languages?
Some Famous Works of Prakrit Literature
There are some famous works of Prakrit literature that gained popularity in ancient India. Some of them are mentioned below:
Maharashtra: One of the best Prakrit forms was Maharashtra. It was highly regarded and well-known for its grammar. Its language features were unbeatable, and it also offered some assistance to the other Prakrit languages. Marathi were undoubtedly well-known in Prakrit literature for their evolution. As an example, Paumacariya, penned by Svetambara Jain, is a revision of Valmiki’s Ramayana. They were renowned for writing songs in Prakrit as well.
Magadhi: Magadhi got its name from Magadha. It is a Prakrit from the east. Several pieces showing Magadhi grammar have been written in this language. Nevertheless, Magadhi has only been used in Sanskrit plays.
Influence of Prakrit Literature on Indian Culture
Prakrit literature has influenced the progress of Indian literature and languages to an extent. It opened the way for the creation of modern Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada by bridging the gap between classical Sanskrit and the regional languages of India. Additionally, the rise of non-Vedic religions in India was significantly supported by Prakrit literature, particularly through writings written by the Jain and Buddhist communities.
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FAQs
The Middle Indo-Aryans spoke a regional language called Prakrit, which was thought to have existed before Classical Sanskrit. Religious, literary, dramatic, inscriptional, and grammar-focused Prakrits make up the majority of Prakrit literature.
The three most well-known dramatic prakrits are Shauraseni Prakrit, Magadhi Prakrit, and Maharashtri Prakrit.
Prakrit flourished during the era of Hala of the Satavahanas. The majority of the satavahana inscriptions were written in Prakrit.
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