हेमचन्द्र-प्राकृत-व्याकरण
By डॉ० कमलचन्द सोगाणी
Summary
This PDF presents a grammatical analysis of noun and pronoun rules (sutras) from Hemachandra's Prakrit grammar, specifically focusing on the seventh and eighth chapters. The work explains that knowledge of Prakrit forms is essential for understanding Apabhramsha literature, as Prakrit forms were used for centuries within it. The eighth chapter provides noun forms derived from the sutras. The text then systematically details individual sutras with their applications. For example, it explains that for masculine nouns ending in 'a', the nominative singular suffix 'si' is replaced by 'o', forming 'devo' from 'deva'. The nominative and accusative plural suffixes 'jas' and 'shas' are dropped. The accusative singular suffix 'am' loses its 'a', and the remaining 'm' becomes an anusvara, resulting in 'devam'. The instrumental singular 'ta' and genitive plural 'am' are replaced by 'na'. The instrumental plural 'bhis' can become 'hi', 'him', or 'hi'. The ablative singular 'dasi' can become 'tto', 'do', 'du', 'hi', 'hinto', or be dropped. The genitive singular 'is' becomes 'ssa', forming 'devassa'. The locative singular 'di' becomes 'e' or 'mmi', giving 'deve' or 'devammi'. The text also covers vowel lengthening rules before certain suffixes like 'jas', 'shas', and 'am', and details specific rules for stems ending in 'i' and 'u', including their treatment in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders.
Conclusion
This analysis of Hemachandra’s Prakrit grammar systematically applies sutras to derive noun and pronoun forms in Apabhramsha, demonstrating the deep structural continuity between Prakrit and Apabhramsha. The detailed treatment of case endings, including the application of lengthening rules and substitutions like -o for -si, provides a practical framework for understanding how classical grammatical rules generate attested literary forms. By clarifying the relationship between theoretical sutras and actual usage, this work enables scholars to accurately interpret Apabhramsha texts and trace linguistic evolution. The focus on noun declensions across genders and numbers offers essential tools for philological analysis, while the methodical presentation of rules like those for the genitive and locative cases facilitates comparative study with other Prakrit varieties. Ultimately, this grammatical exposition not only aids textual criticism but also illuminates the systematic nature of Middle Indo-Aryan language development.