Post No. 11,263
Date uploaded in London – 13 SEPTEMBER 2022
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Quotations on Prakrit Poetry and language
Praise of Prakrit Poetry
In his introductory verses to Harshacarita, the poet Banabhatta praises Satavahana, also known as Salivahana and Hala,for his Gatha Sapta Sati (GSS) in these glowing terms
Satavahana made a treasury of fine sayings as of jewels;
(Avinasinam) immortal;indestructible refined;
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Uddhyotanasuri, the author of Kuvalayamala, extols Hala in these words:
“What is the use of composing poetry after the passing away of Hala whose poetry was on the tongues of even farmers while ploughing their fields?”
“When the intoxicating effect of wine is no more, what is the use of meat?”
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Vakpati
The charm of Sanskrit speech blooms in its Prakritic shadow while the (innate ) glory of the Prakrit is heightened when it touched up by its sanskritization
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It is only in Prakrit that we can have in an abundant measure, ever fresh themes presented in a rich variety of styles, refreshingly cool and caressingly sweet. This will continue to be till the end of the world.
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All languages merge in it (Prakrit ) and emerge from it. Waters pour into the sea and flow out of it.
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A peculiar delight which dilates and closes the eyes, thrills the heart, rushing inwards and outwards
Gaudavaho v 65,v 92 v 93, v 94
Rajasekhara
Sanskrit compositions are harsh, while a composition in Prakrit sounds so soft. The difference between the two is as between the masculine and the feminine
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In other words,
You may respect Sanskrit but you will fall in love with Prakrit
Karpuramanjari 1-7
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Sanskrit speech is praiseworthy whereas Prakrit speech is naturally sweet.
Bala Ramayana 1-11
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Prakrit is the source of Sanskrit; it dances in the tongues of ladies of lovely eyes; when one hears it the words of Sanskrit language grate upon one’s ears; it’s prose is easy, does not contain hard letters and has very few compounds; and it is the abode of the god of love.
Bala Ramayana 1-11
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A commentator on Prakrit Prakasa
O,how marvellous! The Prakrit which is lovely like the moonlike face of the beloved is fascinating . It sparkles with Suktis (good sayings ) imbued with nectar like rasas .
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Ajnatakavih
Away with Sanskrit poetry and the poets who composed it. For Sanskrit, when read, sounds like tad tad tatta like a house of bamboos on fire 21
The Pandita who replies in Sanskrit, when Prakrit poetry is recited, pelts stones at the bed of flowers and destroys it .
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Gatha Saptasati (GSS)
Prakrit literature is vast and varied. It is composed in different languages like Ardhamagadi, Maharashtri, Sauraseni, Paisaci and Apabrahma.
Hala’s Sattasai or Gaathaa sapta sati (second century to third century ) is the earliest known anthology of Prakrit. It has 700 verses in Maharashtri Prakrit. It’s popularity is attested by the large number of commentaries on it and scores of quotations from it in works on poetics and the use made of it by the Prakrit grammarians.
Eminent poets like Bana, Uddyotanasuri, Abhinanda and Siddhanathan bestow high praise on it. And if imitation is an index of popularity we have its imitation in Sanskrit in Govardhana’s Arya sapta sati which is certainly modelled on Hala’s GSS.
The work differs in many manuscripts. It is mostly erotic. Each Gatha presents a miniature picture complete in itself. These Gathas mainly depict village life and peasantry. The family life of lower strata of the society is portrayed in its various contexts, but the erotic aspect dominates
The anthology is rich in maxims and popular sayings and sheds light on customs and conventions prevalent in those times. There are allusions to divine beings like Siva Parvati Gauri , Ganapathi Vishnu Lakshmi etc.
Source
Studies in Jain Literature, prof v m Kulkarni, Ahmedabad,2001
—subham—
Tags- Quotations, Prakrit , Poetry, language, Gatha Saptasati , Ajnatakavih, Rajasekhara, Vakpati ,Uddhyotanasuri, Bana Bhatta, Gaudavaho
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