Mahapurana of Puspadanta (critical study)

by Ratna Nagesha Shriyan | 1962 | 113,825 words

Summary: This essay in English studies the Mahapurana by Puspadanta highlighting the Desya and rare words from this and other Apabhramsa works. Understanding Desi or Deshya words is essential for comprehending Prakrit and Apabhramsa literature. This study focuses on a systematic examination of Desya or Deshi vocabulary, particularly through the works—Mahapurana and Nayakumaracariu—analyzing the local dialectal influences and lexical contributions. The methodology includes categorizing Desya words based on origin, meaning, and usage. Hemachandra's Desinamamala is also consulted.

Source 1: motilalbanarsidass.com
Source 2: archive.org

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Mahapurana of Puspadanta (critical study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

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General editor’s foreword

Foreword

Preface

+ Part 1 - Introduction

. Part 1 - Nature and scope of the present study

. Part 2 - Description of the basic sources of the present study

. Part 3 - The plan of study and the mode of its presentation

. Part 4.1 - The List of all Passages Defining the Terms Desi, Desya etc.

. Part 4.2 - Desi Lexicographers before Hemachandra

. Part 4.3 - Hemachandra’s concept of Deshi

. Part 4.4 - Views of modern scholars about Hemachandra’s Desinamamala