All About Pali and Prakrit Literature

• It was written in the 3rd-4th centuries BC in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka).
• It provides a historical account of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and narrates Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka and the relics of Buddha.

• The book mentions the dialogue with Pali and Prakrit languages between King Meander (or Milinda) and Buddhist monk Nagasena.

• It is a Sri Lankan Pali account and dates back to 3rd-4th centuries BC.
• It provides a historical account of various kingdoms of South Asia.

• It contains Jataka and Avadana tales written in Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit.

• It is a Mahayana text that narrates various stories related to the life of the Buddha until his first sermon at Sarnath. 

• It is one of the oldest Theravada texts and includes the story of the “Blind Men and the Elephant.”

• It is a prose poem written in the 10th century AD by Upatissa in Pali, Sri Lanka.

• It is a Theravada text written by Buddhaghosa in the 5th century AD in Sri Lanka. It includes discussions on various teachings of the Buddha.

• With Jainism, they are canonical religious texts written in Pali and Prakrit languages that contain the teachings of Jain Tirthankaras. 
• Initially, the Ganadharas—the principal followers of Mahavira—compiled them. 
• The present Angas (a subset of the Agamas) were recompiled in a council of monks of the Svetambara sect held in Vallabhi, Gujarat, during the mid-5th century AD. 
• The Digambaras reject Agamas.
• The Agamas with Pali and Prakrit languages consist of 46 texts – 12 Angas, 12 Upanga, 10 Prakirnakasutras, 4 Mulasutras, 6 Chedasutras, and 2 Chulikasutras.
• The 12 Angas are: Acharanga Sutra; Sutrakritanga; Sthananga Sutra; Samavayanga Sutra; Vyakhyaprajnapti or Bhagavati Sūtra; Upasakadasa; Antakrddaasah; Anuttaraupapatikadasah; Prasnavyakaranani; Vipakasruta; and Drstivada.

Gatha Saptasati

• It contains 700 verses, with King Hala contributing 44 verses. The women poets wrote the other verses. It is often considered the opposite of the “Kamasutra“.

Uvasaggaharam Stotra

• It was composed by Acharya Bhadrabahu. It is an adoration of the twenty-third Tīirthankara Parsvanatha. 

Kalpa Sutra

• It is a Śvetāmbara canonical scripture written partly in prose and partly in verse.

• It tells the story of Kalak, a great Jain muni of the Shwetambar school and his sister.

• Samayasāra expounded the Jain concepts like Karma, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara and Moksha.
• Niyamasara discusses the road to emancipation.

• Avesta is a compilation of diverse writings spanning religious beliefs, practices, and guidance. It was written in Avestan, a language related to Sanskrit that is now extinct. 

• Denkard: It is a compilation of books & regarded as the Encyclopedia of Zoroastrianism.  It was composed in the 10th century AD.

• Bundahishn:  The text provides an insight into the religion’s creation theory.

• Adi Granth: It was written in Gurumukhi script by Bhai Gurdas under the aegis of the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. 
  • It is a predecessor to Guru Granth Sahib and contains the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and fifteen Bhagats of Bhakti and Sufi traditions. 

• Guru Granth Sahib: It is an expansion of Adi Granth under the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1678. 
  • It is regarded as the eleventh and final spiritual authority of the Sikhs.
  • It is written in Gurumukhi script and ‘Sant Bhasa’ language. Sant Bhasa contains Punjabi, Apabhramsa, Hindi, Braj Bhasa, Sanskrit, Khadiboli, and Persian words. 
  • The book contains the teachings of thirteen Bhakti saints, called ‘Bhagats’, like Ramananda, Namadev, Ravidas, Parmanand, Sain, Surdas, Kabir and Baba Farid.

• Dasam Granth: It is a compilation of hymns written by Guru Gobind Singh. 
  • The compilation includes fables and Puranic stories, with certain hymns being part of the daily prayers known as “Nitnem“.

• Janamsakhis: These books contain mythological stories about the life of Guru Nanak (first guru).

• Ardas:  Prayers performed during daily rituals in Gurudwaras. These are recited during the opening and closing of Guru Granth Sahib.