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Dialect and Sub-dialects of Prakrit 41
1 Māgadhi
The characteristics of Magadhi as collected from the texts of the eastern grammarians along with Hemacandra are given below
I is substituted for s and s Pu XII 2-3, RT II 2 13, 288), eg, esoh ese,
II The change of 1 to 11 (Simha Vagbha 2 2)
III is substituted for the first letter in the combinations it, tth, tt, tṭh and cch (RT II 2 16, Mk 12 7)
IV t becomes dha in the word vasatı (Mk 12 6) V kkh (>ks) becomes śka except in the
(Pu. XII 6-7, RT. II, 2. 15, Mk XII 4-5) VI r becomes 1 (Kr V 86, Pu XII 4, RT II. 2 14, Mk XII 3, Hc IV 288 and Simha-Vagbha) VII y is substituted for J (Vr XI 4, Kr V 89, RT II 2 14, Hc IV 293) But Purusottama says that 7 and jh are respectively substituted by y and yh (Pu XII 5)
VIII cchu, except when initial, becomes śca (Pu XIII 11, RT II 2 18, Hc IV 295)
(Vr XI 3, Kr. V. 85, Mk XII. 2; Hc. IV
word kkhu
IX The palatal letters are pronounced with but a very slight contact of the tongue with the roof of the mouth (Vr XI. 5, Kr V. 87, Pu. XII 13-14, RT II 2 18 and Mk. XII 21 (y is prefixed to c and j)
X h is substituted for dh The commentary adds "when not initial" and says that tha is sometimes changed to h (Pu XII 12, Mk XII 9)
XI Before the suffix ka the vowel is optionally lengthened (Pu XII 17, RT II 22, Mk XII 22) XII sk is substituted for ks (Vr XI 8, Pu XII 8, Hc
IV. 29)
XIII. s and s in consonant groups become s, except in the word grisma (Hc. IV 289)
XIV. ksa, when not initial, becomes Jihvāmūliaya plus k (Hc IV 296).
