Prakrit & Pali: All You Need to Know About the Newly Designated Classical Languages

Introduction

• Prakrit and Pali, two significant languages of ancient India, have recently been recognized as Classical Languages.
• This designation highlights their historical and cultural significance, placing them on par with other classical languages such as Sanskrit and Tamil.
• Simpler than Sanskrit, these languages were the vernacular of the common folk and served as the medium for heterodox religions like Buddhism and Jainism.
• In this blog, we delve into the importance of Prakrit and Pali, their influence on Indian culture, and why their recognition as Classical Languages is a crucial moment in the study of ancient Indian history.

What Does “Classical Languages” Mean?

• A language is considered “classical” when it meets a set of criteria such as antiquity, a rich heritage of original literature, and historical significance.
• Classical languages also must have a body of ancient texts or literature that stands the test of time and displays a high level of excellence. With the recognition of Prakrit and Pali as Classical Languages, they join Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, and others in the pantheon of languages that have significantly shaped India’s intellectual, religious, and cultural landscape.

Prakrits: Language of the People

• The term “Prakrit” originates from the Sanskrit word prakriti, meaning “source” or “origin.” It refers to a group of Indo-Aryan languages that evolved from Sanskrit.
• Unlike Sanskrit, which was the language of religious texts and the elite, Prakrits were used by ordinary people, making them the vernacular languages of ancient India.

Prakrit as a Family of Languages

• There isn’t a single “Prakrit” language; rather, it refers to a range of closely related dialects.
• These Classical languages were easier to speak and write compared to the complex grammar and vocabulary of Sanskrit.
• Historian A.L. Basham pointed out that by the time of Buddha (6th century BCE), the Prakrits were already the common tongue, with the masses preferring these simplified languages over Sanskrit, which had become the preserve of elites.
• This is reflected in the fact that most inscriptions from the pre-Gupta era, including the famous Ashokan edicts, were written in Prakrit.

• Prakrits were not uniform across regions; different dialects existed in different parts of India. They played a crucial role in the spread of various religious and philosophical ideas because they were more accessible to the general population.
• Interestingly, in classical Sanskrit dramas, women and lower-class characters often spoke in formalized Prakrit, while the upper-class men would speak in Sanskrit. This linguistic distinction mirrors the social hierarchies of the time.

Major Prakrit Dialects

• Magadhi Prakrit: This was the language spoken in the kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar), where important figures like Buddha and Mahavira were born. Magadhi was the language of Emperor Ashoka’s court and his famous edicts, which were instrumental in spreading Buddhism. Magadhi eventually evolved into several modern languages, including Bengali, Odia, Assamese, and the Bihari languages like Bhojpuri and Maithili.
• Ardhamagadhi: Meaning “half Magadhi,” this was a later variant of the Magadhi language. Ardhamagadhi became the primary language of Jain scriptures and was used by Jain monks and scholars. A.C. Woolner, a renowned linguist, described Ardhamagadhi as the “definitive” form of Prakrit in his Introduction to Prakrit (1928). Most modern-day Prakrit courses are based on Ardhamagadhi, reflecting its academic and spiritual importance.
• Shauraseni: This dialect was used in central and northern India, particularly in the regions of modern-day Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Shauraseni later evolved into modern languages like Hindi and Punjabi. In classical Sanskrit dramas, the dialogues of lower-class characters, especially women, were often written in Shauraseni.

Pali: The Language of the Buddhist Canon

• Pali, another prominent Prakrit, holds a special place in the study of ancient Indian languages due to its connection with Theravada Buddhism. While Prakrits in general were the language of the common people and heterodox religious movements, Pali became the vehicle for the Buddhist scriptures.
• The language is most famously associated with the Tipitaka, the Pali Canon, which forms the doctrinal foundation of Theravada Buddhism.

The Pali Canon: Tipitaka

The Pali Canon is divided into three categories, or pitakas (“baskets”):

1. Vinaya Pitaka (The Discipline Basket): This section deals with the rules and guidelines governing the monastic community (the sangha). It lays out the disciplinary rules that monks and nuns must follow, including codes of conduct, ceremonies, and rituals.
2. Sutta Pitaka (The Sayings Basket): This is the largest part of the Canon and contains the discourses and sermons attributed to the Buddha. These texts provide philosophical teachings, moral guidelines, and parables. They are written in a straightforward manner, making them accessible to ordinary people.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka (The Philosophy Basket): This section deals with Buddhist psychology and philosophy. It expands upon the doctrines presented in the Sutta Pitaka, delving deeper into concepts like consciousness, perception, and the nature of reality.

The importance of Pali lies in its ability to preserve the teachings of the Buddha and ensure that they were accessible to all, not just the Brahmin elite. This made Pali a central language in the spread of Buddhism across South and Southeast Asia. Although Buddhism eventually declined in India, Pali continued to thrive in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, where Theravada Buddhism remained strong.

Pali’s Lingering Influence

• Even though Pali is no longer a spoken language, it remains an important liturgical language in Theravada Buddhist countries.
• Monks and scholars continue to study Pali to understand the original teachings of the Buddha.
• Additionally, Pali terms and concepts have found their way into various modern languages and philosophical discourses.

The Recognition of Classical Language Status

• The designation of Prakrit and Pali as Classical Languages brings renewed attention to their cultural and historical significance.
• By elevating these languages to classical status, the Indian government acknowledges their role in shaping ancient Indian philosophy, literature, and religious thought.
• This recognition also serves as a reminder of India’s rich linguistic heritage, which is not confined to Sanskrit but extends to a diverse array of vernacular languages that were spoken by ordinary people.
• For scholars, this recognition offers new opportunities for research into ancient Indian texts, inscriptions, and literature. It also highlights the relevance of Prakrit and Pali to modern studies in linguistics, philosophy, and religious studies.

Conclusion

• Prakrit and Pali played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual, religious, and social life of ancient India. Their simplicity and accessibility made them the preferred languages of the masses, and they became central to the teachings of heterodox religions like Buddhism and Jainism.
• With their recent designation as Classical Languages, Prakrit and Pali are now being recognized for their profound impact on Indian culture, religion, and history.
• The recognition of these languages is not only an academic milestone but also a tribute to the diverse linguistic landscape of ancient India.
• As we celebrate this achievement, we are reminded that the roots of Indian philosophy and spirituality lie not just in Sanskrit but also in the languages of the people—Prakrit and Pali.

FAQs

Q1: What are Prakrit and Pali?

Ans: Prakrit refers to a group of ancient Indo-Aryan languages that were simpler than Sanskrit and commonly spoken by the masses in ancient India. Pali is a specific Prakrit language, best known as the language of the Buddhist canon.

Q2: Why have Prakrit and Pali been designated as Classical Languages?

Ans: Prakrit and Pali have been recognized as Classical Languages for their immense historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. They played a crucial role in the spread of heterodox religions like Buddhism and Jainism and shaped Indian thought, philosophy, and literature.

Q3: What is the difference between Prakrit and Sanskrit?

Ans: Prakrits are simplified languages derived from Sanskrit and were spoken by common people. Sanskrit, on the other hand, was the language of the Vedic texts and used by the elite for religious, philosophical, and literary works.

Q4: What is the significance of Pali in Buddhism?

Ans: Pali is the language of the Theravada Buddhist scriptures, known as the Tipitaka or Pali Canon. It preserves the teachings of the Buddha and has been used for centuries in Buddhist liturgy across South and Southeast Asia.