Page 893 of: Abhijnana Shakuntala (synthetic study)

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[280
] APPENDIX V
change of intervocalic Sanskrit ‘q' to ‘a' in Prākṛta. Another
Sūtra : (Hem. 1. 237; Tr. 1. 3. 61), a twin, as it were, in
point of operation and application, that can justly be regarded
as a double check to guard against the confusion or error
apprehended, sets at nought the idea or apprehension of igno-
rance. Even if we assume or admit here the grammatical
defence, not of the usual norm, devised or advised by a staunch
votary of grammar, seeking to explain the labial '☎ in Prākṛta
for intervocalic Sanskrit 'q' as a loan from Apabhraṃśa,
wherein labial 'a' generally replaces Sanskrit intervocalic
1) ³, in deference to the dictum of intended or formulated
to cover the irregularities admitting of admixture of variety of
dialects, it is not to be doubted here that under such circums-
tances, Monier-Williams has been inclined, as one should be, to
value more the outlook of the historical background, as
it is more likely to vanish in the treatment of matter in the mould
of a mere grammarian.
‘☎'
In fact the change of '' to labial 'a' seems to be an earlier
phase of development than its mutation into the fricative
liquid (v). The strong tendency towards sonantization
of the unaspirated surds in the language of the Canonical
literature of the Jainas, the collateral forms of the same word in
Sanskrit both with 'q' and 'a' (like fq and f), as noticed
in f, lend support to this view. It is quite likely that
Monier-Williams took this kind of mutation of 'q' to 'a' as a case
of archaism like other forms such as त्रियंबक, आस [triyaṃbaka, āsa ] etc.
(of course not in Prākṛta) noticeable in the works of Kālidāsa.
This seems to be further corroborated by some of the irregular
Prākṛta forms found in the works of Bhāsa and Asvaghosa which,
though departing from the normal course of the Prākṛta gram-
marians, reveal themselves as clear specimens of an intermediate
stage leading to the subsequent evolution of forms unanimously
sanctioned by the Prākṛta grammarians. This is the main reason
why the said readings with the labial 'a' (b) have been
preferred in this edition.
now left reserved for further investigation. Cf. also "EZ :'
(Märkandeya 2, 14).
2. अनादौ स्वरावसंयुक्तानां क-स-त-च-य-फां ग-धन्य-ध-य-भाः, -- [anādau svarāvasaṃyuktānāṃ ka-sa-ta-ca-ya-phāṃ ga-dhanya-dha-ya-bhāḥ, -- ] Hem.
4. 396.
3. -Hem. 4. 447.