PRAKRIT LANGUAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Prakrit language refers to a group of vernacular languages that originated in ancient India. Derived from Sanskrit, Prakrit languages were spoken by the common people and were prevalent from around the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE. The term "prakrit" itself means "natural" or "ordinary" in Sanskrit.
Prakrit language was distinct from Sanskrit, the classical language of ancient India, in many ways. While Sanskrit was a formal, highly structured language used by religious scholars and elites, Prakrit was a less formal, more colloquial language utilized by the everyday population. Prakrit languages evolved from regional variations and were influenced by local dialects and the cultures of the people who spoke them.
One notable aspect of Prakrit language is its influence on the development of early Indian literature. Many famous works, such as Buddhist scriptures and Jaina texts, were composed in Prakrit. In addition, Prakrit served as a medium for popular plays, folk tales, and poetry. The use of Prakrit in literature helped bridge the gap between the educated classes and the common people, making these works more accessible and relatable.
Over time, Prakrit languages gradually merged with regional dialects and other languages, ultimately giving rise to modern Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Marathi. Today, Prakrit language continues to be studied by scholars and enthusiasts as a significant part of India's linguistic and cultural heritage.
Etymology of PRAKRIT LANGUAGE
The word "Prakrit" comes from the Sanskrit term "prākṛta", which means "natural" or "common". In ancient India, Prakrit referred to the language spoken by ordinary people as opposed to Sanskrit, which was considered the language of the elite and used for religious and scholarly purposes. Prakrit languages are a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages, which includes various regional vernaculars and dialects that developed from the earlier Sanskrit language. The term "Prakrit" is also used to collectively refer to this group of vernacular languages.
