Course:B.A.History

Semester: B.A.2nd Semester

Paper Code:203

Topic: A brief Survey Pali ,Prakrit and Tamil languages.

Prepared By: Dr Sangeeta Saxena, Assistant Professor

Department: History,Patna WomensCollege Patna,Patna

E.Mail: [email protected]

Contents: 1.Prakrit

2. Pali

3. Tamil

Prakrit:The term Prakrit is a derivative from Prakrut (original, Natural).Prakrit language was colloquial language of the Indian sub-continent, out of many such languages such as Magadhi,Gandhari,Ardhmagadhietc. These are much easier and simpler than Sanskrit and were in practice in India between 600BCE-1000CE among the lower castes before the inception of Sanskrit.

Most of the Jain Texts in general were written in Prakrit.The word Jain is derived from root ji (to conquer) and signifies the religion of those who have conquered the lust for life. Jain canonical literature by Jain Saints, and a number of works of lexicography and Grammar by Hemchandra,is well known. However, Prakrit iswell known forGathasaptshati( 700) verses),by Hala.(300AD),best example of erotic literature. It is a compilation of 700 verses along with his own contribution of 44 poems . It is interesting to note that quite a few poetess like Pahai, Mahavi, Reva, Roha and Sasippahaare included in the Anthology.The vast Katha literature in Prakrit, written with conspicuous religion overtone, even by Jain saints, is full of erotic elements. The author of the Vasudevahindi ascribes this changed approach of the jain authors to the fact that it is easy to teach religion cloakedby erotic episodes, like sugar coated medicines.

The Characteristics of Prakrit: Poetry is its Subtelty;the inner meaning is its soul. Jain literature is available in Sanskrit also. The sacred texts ( Siddhanta or Agama),of the two main sects of the Jains employed three type of Prakrit. The oldest Sutras of the SvetambaraSectas are written in Ardh-Magadhi

The sacred Books of Digambara Sects are written in Savraseni. An important source of knowledge of Prakrit is the Sanskrit Drama. Kalidas ,is included among many dramatists who order to obtain a realistic approach , had the common people in his Drama speaks in Prakrit. N.Singhania wrote: An important stage in the development of Prakrit was Paisachi and the last stage of the development of prakrit laid to the establishment of Apbhramsha.

So the Prakrit always remained close to common man because of its simplicity and because a famous colloquial language for everyone.

Pali: Pali and prakrit both were the spoken languages of Indian people after the Vedic Period. Pali isArchaic Prakrit. In fact,Pali is a combination of various dialects. The term Pali denotes a set of sacred texts of the Buddhists. LORD Buddha (500BC) used Pali to give his sermons.The The very foundation of Buddhism contained

Buddhist Literature:All the Buddhist canonical literature in pali includes Tripitika (Three Basket).

First Basket: Vinaya pitika- It contains the monastic rules of the order of Buddhist monks.

Second Basket:Sutta Pitika:It is the collection of speeches and dialogues of Buddha.

Third Pitika: AbhidhammaPitika: It elucidates the various topics dealing with ethics, psychology and theory of knowledge.

Jataka Katha: They are non-canonical Buddhist literature where the stories related to the former births of the Buddha ( Bodhisatvas or would be Buddha) are narrated. These stories narrates Buddhist religious doctrine and are available in Sanskrit and Pali. As the Jataka tales grew in bulk, they assimilated popular tales, ancient mythology, stories from older religious tradition,etc. Jatakas are ,in fact, based on the common heritage of the Indian masses.

Buddhavachan: The 2500 year old Theraveda traditionis carefully presented and preserved in Pali, popularly known as Buddhavachan. The very foundation of Buddhism is contained in these texts.

Pali is very refined and pure language that was spoken during the early years of 600- 200BCE. This was the time period of Indo-Aryan Era in the continent.

It was widely spoken by the people of India, but in neighboring countries as well. Though it has lost it value with the passage of Time, and not spoken in the contemporary world, it has left behind a rich heritage of literature in India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, and other neighboring countries.

Dravidian Languages: The indian people speak language belonging to major four distinct speech families: The Austric,,Dravidian, Sino-Tebetan and Indo European.Their influence was visible in the grammer of Sanskrit and Prakrit. It also forms the possibility of some link with the Harappan civilization. A form of Dravidian Language might have been in practice before the arrival of the Aryans. These Dravidian Languages are practiced in south India, also in eastern and central part of India along with Afghanistan,Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malyasia and Singapore.

Four Dravidian Languages:

1.Tamil: Tamilnadu, Andaman and Nicobar, Pondicherry, Karnataka,Kerala and few foreign nations. 2.Kannada: Karnataka, Kerala,Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh, Telengana. 3.Malyalam: In Kerala, parts of Pondicherry,Karnataka, Lakshwadeep. 4.Telugu:Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra,M.P.. Odissa, Karnataka.

Oldest Tamil Literature:(300BC-700AD) The earliest known Classical Tamil Literature is known as Sangam literature, dated back to 500BC. Sangam means Fraternity, indicating mainly two schools of poets: 1.Aham: They were mainly subjective love poems, 2.Puram:They were objective, public and heroic poetry.

The Sangam Classic consists of 18 works ( eight anthologies and 10 long poems), written by 473 poets among whom 30 were women, famous poetess Avvaiyar,being one of them. In 102 poems, the poets are unknown. Tamil Grammar Tolakappiyamwhich indicates five landscapes or types of love, and outlines their symbolism. Another famous work was Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar, it explained secular moral and practical attitude towards life. Two epics-i-Silappadhikaram(the story of Anklet),by Ilango-Adigal and ii-Manimekhalai ( the story ofManimekalai) by Chattanar. One striking feature of Tamil literature was the promotion of Vaishnavism-Vaishnav Bhakti poetry in Tamil-speaking South India 12 Alvars saint poets , and Shaivism by Nayanars ,tamil saint poets. Medieval Tamil Literature (700-1200AD):In 7th century Shaiv Tamil writer Manikkarvachakar wrote poetry Tiruvachkari,it became the language of common people. Also Ettutokai (Eight Anthologies) and Pattupattu. Modern Literature 1600-present): Tirumuraigal by Panniru (a collection of 12 volumes of songs in praise of Shiva in Tamil). Seerapuranam by Umarupulavar, a Tamil Muslim Poet. All these are the clear indication of development of Tamil language in South India. The greatest contribution in this field was Kamba Ramayana, in Tamil, an adaptation from Valmiki's Ramayana, which is the most famous epic of Tamil Literature Tamil vs Sanskrit: 1. Sanskrit forms the mother of Tamil culture, if not language. 2. Tamil may be older than Sanskrit. 3. Agastya Rishi who migrated from North to South, is regarded as the Father of Tamil language. 4. There is no version of Tamil which is totally disassociated with Sanskrit. 5. Aryan invaded India, but Dravidian were originally Indians. 6. Aryans used Sanskrit while Dravidian speak Tamil. Thus, no comparison can be made between the two classic languages, just as Sanskrit captured North Indian literature, Tamil language dominated South Indian literature. Questions frequently asked: 1. Give a brief note on Pali. 2. Throw light on the development of Tamil. 3. Give a brief sketch of Pali and Tamil. 4. Write a short note on the contribution of Pali in enriching Buddhist texts. 5. Give a brief survey of Pakki, Prakrit and Tamil. All these works in :