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Difference Between Sanskrit and Pali

Categorized under Culture | Difference Between Sanskrit and Pali

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

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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 dhrayati is written as dhreti in Pali and Sanskrit avatra is
written as otra.

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.)

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Cite
Prabhat S. "Difference Between Sanskrit and Pali." DifferenceBetween.net. August 11, 2011 <
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/culture-miscellaneous/difference-between-
sanskrit-and-pali/ >.

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Written by : Prabhat S. and updated on August 11, 2011

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