Sanskrit vs. Pali

Sanskrit is a classical language which flourished in India thousands of years ago but has lost its glory in modern times. Pali is also an ancient language that has been widely used in the Buddhist scriptures. The Sanskrit language is much older than Pali.

Sanskrit had been a language that was in vogue from the Vedic period. Sanskrit had a great influence on religion and literature. Sanskrit was part of the cultural tradition. Sanskrit, which is considered an Indo-Aryan language, was the liturgical language of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Pali is considered a Prakrit language or a middle Indo-Aryan language. Though the Pali and Sanskrit language are known to be closely related, Pali is not considered to be a descendant of the Sanskrit language.

The Pali language is considered to be a composite language having several dialects and most likely is based on the language that Buddha taught in which is generally considered to be a Magadhi dialect. However, the scholars are divided on the origin of the language.

When comparing the two languages, Pali is considered to be simple. Both the Sanskrit and Pali languages have basically the same vocabulary. The grammar is also considered to be similar, but Pali has a simplified grammar.

In the case of vowels and diphthongs, the Sanskrit “ava” and “aya” is reduced in Pali to “o” and “e.” For example Sanskrit “dhārayati” is written as “dhāreti” in Pali and Sanskrit “avatāra” is written as “otāra.”

The Sanskrit “avi” is reduced to “e” in the Pali language. For example, “sthavira” in Sanskrit is written as “thera” in the Pali language.

Summary:

1. The Sanskrit language is much older than Pali.
2. Sanskrit is a classical language which flourished in India thousands of years ago but has lost its glory in modern times.
3. Pali is also an ancient language that has been widely used in the Buddhist scriptures.
4. When comparing the two languages, Pali is considered to be simple.
5. Sanskrit, which is considered an Indo-Aryan language, was the liturgical language of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
6. Pali is considered a Prakrit language or a Middle Indo-Aryan language.
7. Both the Sanskrit and Pali languages have basically the same vocabulary. The grammar is also considered to be similar, but Pali has a simplified grammar.
8. Sanskrit had been a language that was in vogue from the Vedic period. It had a great influence on religion and literature and also was part of the cultural tradition.
Rating: 9 May publish. (Verified technical terms except for the foreign words.)