There is enormous literature in Prakrit language. Majority of the Prakrit works still remains inaccessible to the scholars of Jainology as well as to those working in other disciplines because of non-availability of Prakrit texts with their translations in other languages. For comparative and comprehensive study of Indian tradition, history, culture, literature, language, poetics etc. knowledge of Prakrit is essential.
Keeping in view the importance of the subject Parshwanath Vidyapeeth organised a 21 Day National Workshop on Teaching & Learning in Prakrit Language from 17th May to 06th June, 2019. This is the 10th workshop on Prakrit in this series. Parshwanath Vidyapeeth is committed to impart knowledge of Prakrit to the students and scholars interested in Indological.
The Inaugural function of the workshop was held on 17th May, 2019. Dr. Vijay Shankar Shukla, Director of I.G.N.C.A.,Varanasi, was the Chief-guest,Sh. D. R. Bhansali, famous Industrialist and Philanthropist, and Vice President, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi was the Guest of honour and Senior Prof. Jagatram Bhattacharya, Dept. of Prakrit, Pali and Sanskrit, Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan, West Bengol presided over the session,
There were 30 participants in the Workshop from the different universities, i.e. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, Basant Kanya P. G. Collage, Jain Vishwa Bharati University, Ladanun.
In this workshop 60 lectures and 05 special lectures were delivered by the subject experts. Apart from the special lectures maximum classes were engaged by Prof. Dinanath Sharma, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Prof. Jagatram Bhattacharya, Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan, West Bengol, Dr. Rahul Kumar Singh, Bajarang Inter College, Bhadari, Kunda, Pratapgarh and Dr. Pratap Mishra, SGR PG College, Dobhi, Jaunpur.
In order to provide a sound background of Prakrit Language and Literature, besides regular lectures scheduled per day on grammar, 05 special lectures were arranged by the eminent scholars of the respective subjects. Following special lectures were delivered during the Workshop:
1. Arddhamagadhi Agam Sahitya by Dr. S. P. Pandey, Joint Director, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi.
2. Prakrit Jaina Katha Sahitya by Prof. Prabhunath Dwivedi, Former Head, Deptt. of Sanskrit, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi.
3. Ashok ke Prakrit Abhilekh by Prof. Maheshwari Prasad, National Professor, National Archives, New Delhi.
4. Hathigumpha Prakrit Abhilekh by Prof. Maheshwari Prasad, National Professor, National Archives, New Delhi.
5. Prakrit ke Hastalikhita Grantha by Dr. Vijay Shankar Shukla, Director, IGNCA, Varanasi.
The Teaching in the Workshop was based on the Hemacandra Vyakaran and the method adopted for teaching was drilling system to make understand the grammar easily for participants. In this system the teacher selects the words while teaching the text and by drilling method he demonstrates the essential constituents of the word.
At the end of the workshop an examination was held followed by a writen exam and viva-voce. On the basis of the final result three participants were awarded certificate of merit with prizes. Dev Sarashwat Faculty of SVDV, BHU, secured 1st Position, Haridarshan Faculty of SVDV, BHU, secured 2nd Position and Vijay Shankar Singh, Deptt. of Sanskrit, MGKV, Varanasi secured 3rd Position and Ram Awadh Kushvaha, Deptt. of Sanskrit, MGKV, Varanasi secured incentive prize.
Valedictory function of the Workshop was held on 6th June, 2019. Prof. P. N. Dwivedi, Former Head, Department of Sanskrit, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, was Chairman of the session, Prof. Y. P. Dubey, Former Vice Chancellor, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, was the Chief Guest of this session and Sh. Kunvar Vijayanand Singh, Senior Vice President, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi was the Guest of honour. The Workshop completed successfully under the Directorship of Dr. S. P. Pandey, Joint Director, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi and Dr. O. P. Singh was the co-ordinator of the workshop.
Concluding Remarks: The workshop was well organised. The participants of the workshop were fully satisfied with process of teaching and the selection of the faculty members. The participants in their feedback appreciated the commitment and zeal of the management for organizing such a nice workshop. The participants were of the opinion that apart from ELENENTARY COURSE on Prakrit an ADVANCE COUESE on Prakrit should be conducted, so that the participants of ELENENTARY COURSE could get chance to upgrade their knowledge of Prakrit.