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National Institute of Prakrit Studies and Research

The divine preaching of Bhagawan Mahaveera is preserved in Prakrit, which was the language of the people and the state language of kings Ashoka, Kharabela, and others in ancient times. Religious literature that deals with subjects like Ahimsa, Aparigraha, and Anekantavada, as well as works on epics, narratives, sculpture, vastu, ayurveda, astronomy, mathematics, geography, and more, abound in the Prakrit language.

Under the worthy guidance of Pratahsmaraneeya His Holiness Jagadguru Karmayogi Swastishri Charukeerthy Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola, the National Prakrit Literary Conferences held in Bangalore and Hyderabad were meaningful and successful in creating an appropriate forum for literati to discuss and disseminate the excellence of Prakrit lore. As a befitting tribute to their untiring service to Prakrit studies, eminent scholars like Jagadeesh Chandra Jain, Dalsukh Malvania, and H.C. Bhayani were honoured. Contemplating the need for an institution exclusively devoted to the promotion of Prakrit Studies, His Holiness Charukeerthy Bhattaraka Swamiji, scholar-saint and an adept in canonical knowledge, established the “National Institute of Prakrit Studies and Research” to propagate and promote Prakrit Studies and Research in the midst of fifty acres of greenery at ‘Shri Dhavala Theertam’, which is the oldest name of Shravanabelagola.

Kannada translations of the Dhavala, Jayadhavala, and Mahadhavala, the three celebrated commentaries on the Shatkhandagama, a primordial text on Jaina philosophy, have been published. The Institute has also published bilingual textbooks in Kannada to facilitate Prakrit learning, and periodical examinations are conducted. Additionally, State and National level seminars and workshops are held to highlight the importance and relevance of Prakrit Studies. Many devoted scholars from the East and West have ably edited and translated some of the ancient canonical and literary Prakrit texts.

The Prakrit Bhavan, Dhavala Teertham, has a well-equipped library containing over twenty-five thousand books and research journals, covering the fields of Indological studies, religion, philosophy, language, literature, and more. Thousands of palm-leaf and paper manuscripts are preserved here.

Several Kannada commentaries and interpretations of ancient Prakrit texts are available. The great writer Keshavavarni has written a commentary on Gommatasara, while Mallishena has written a commentary on Samayasara. Some unknown poets have also composed valuable commentaries on Prakrit texts. Editing and publishing these valuable commentaries will be beneficial in the field of Indology. This project will also be undertaken by the Institute.

The Examination Department runs various correspondence courses in Prakrit literature through Kannada and Hindi mediums for students all over India. The qualified staff of the Institute have prepared the lessons according to the syllabus and teach the students in contact classes. The staff of the Institute and faculty members of the Dept. of Jainology and Prakrit, University of Mysore, also assist in teaching. Annual Convocations are held for these students.

The academic staff of the Institute are engaged in teaching, editing texts, and conducting research work. The Institute has published many valuable books in the field of Prakrit and Indological studies, including Dhavalatraya, Dhavaletar Texts, and Prakrit textbooks.

This Institute is an ideal place for pursuing higher studies in all subjects related to Prakrit language and literature, comparative studies of Sanskrit, Pali, Apabhramsa, Kannada, and other Indian languages, comparative philosophies, religions and ethics, art, archaeology and inscriptions, manuscriptology, peace research, the science of living, and yoga and meditation with simple living and high thinking in the greenery environment near the holy place of Shravanabelagola.

The Institute is growing in various fields of learning and research under the leadership of many renowned scholars of Prakrit and Jainism.