Director’s Desk

His great Holiness Jagadguru Karmayogi Swastishri Charukirthi Swamiji started the Prakrit Jnanabharati Education Trust in 02-12-1989. Realizing the importance of Prakrit language and its vast literature on jaina thoughts.

In 1993, the National Institute of Prakrit Studies and Research was inaugurated by the then President of India, Dr. Shankaradayal Sharma, at Dhavalathirtham, near Sri Kshetra Shravanabelagola, at the occasion of the Maha Mastakabhisheka of Lord Gommateshvara or Baahubali Swami. Thus, a new National level platform came into being for Prakrit studies and research. He thereby gave a new impetus to the study and research of Prakrit at the national level. 

Presently His Holiness Jagadguru SwasthiShriMadabhinava Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswamiji is the President of the Institute. The organization is being led under the guidance of His Holiness Swamiji. Shri A.C. Vidyadhar, a retired Magistrate, as the working president is encouraging all the activities of the organization.

The main objectives of the National Center for Prakrit Studies and Research are to promote and disseminate the original texts of the Prakrit language through preservation, editing, translation and publication. Prakrit language is one of the oldest languages of the world. It is related to all the languages of India. The values of Ahimsa Aparigraha, Anekanta, Karma-Siddhanta etc., literature on knowledge and arts like Shilpa, Vastu, Ayurveda, Geography, Astrology etc. were composed in Prakrit language. The mission of the institute is to bring Prakrit language and education to the present day community and to research and publish high quality Prakrit literature. Already since 2007, certificate diplomaa, visarada, ratna etc. educational system has been successfully implemented for the sake of propagation of Prakrit language. So far more than twelve thousand students have successfully completed various Prakrit courses from the institute.

So far five students have obtained Doctoral Degrees in Jain Shastra [Jainology] and Prakrit, from University of Mysore in collaboration with this institution with research accreditation from University of Mysore. 

There is a collection of more than 6 thousand Palm Leaf manuscripts in Kannada, Prakrit, Sanskrit Tamil languages. An index of the manuscript was prepared. Editing of manuscripts is being done. Public exhibition of manuscripts and training camps, workshops are being conducted. 40 volumes of Dhavalatraya texts and Non-Dhavala texts have been successfully published by the institute. 

14 Prakrit scholars who have made significant contributions to Prakrit language and literature at the international level have been honoured with ‘Prakrit Jnanbharati’ award.

Shri R. T. Mahaveer  Managing Trustee, Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth and Dr. S.V. Murali as Executive Officer & Project Co-ordinator for NMM  and are working hard to develop the institution.

Since 1993, Eight Directors have successfully managed the responsibility of the organization. Hindi Kannada English classes have been opened for Prakrit broadcasting. Dr. Rajendra Patil Shastri and Lokkumar are working as its head respectively. Shri Lokkumar is serving as the Registrar.  New library, educational and residential buildings are being constructed with the help of Karnataka Government. In the coming days many plans have been devised to uplift the institution under the guidance of His Holiness.

Further institute is expanding our plans to spread and popularise the language and literature in Prakrit.