Depiction of Nature in Prakrit Literature

Summary

The article explores how Prakrit literature beautifully depicts nature—its elements, rhythms, and interaction with human life. Drawing from Indian philosophical views that a true poet is also a sage, the text emphasizes that Prakrit poets reflected this vision by portraying forests, mountains, rivers, animals, and seasons with vivid imagery and reverence. Key highlights include: 1. Vindhya ranges are frequently described instead of the Himalayas (as in Sanskrit texts), with references to forests, clouds, and wildlife like elephants. 2. Village scenes and seasonal landscapes are rendered in charming simplicity, such as descriptions of winter chill, birdsong, and buffaloes seeking warmth. 3. In Setubandha, Pravarasena’s portrayal of the sea and earth as lovers evokes rich metaphorical associations—earth as goddess, sea as her consort, mountains as her body, rivers as ornaments. 4. Vakpati’s Gaudavaho continues this symbolic tradition, personifying Bhudevi (Earth goddess) and natural elements like rivers, clouds, and sky in human-like imagery. 5. The story of Arama-Soha, found in Samyaktva-Saptati, centers on a young girl who protects a serpent, who in turn rewards her by creating a lush, year-round garden—an ecological allegory promoting harmony between humans and nature. 6. The final section briefly touches upon Prakrit language’s influence on Telugu, noting shared vocabulary and the establishment of a Post Graduate Diploma course in Prakrit by Telugu University in 1994–95 to foster comparative linguistic studies.