Question

Why did Ashoka use the language Prakrit to communicate his message of Dhamma?

• A. Ashoka loved Prakrit more than any other language.
• B. Pakrit was the language of elites.
• C. Pakrit was easy to write.
• D. Pakrit was the language used by the common people.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Pakrit was the language used by the common people.

Ashoka wanted everyone in his kingdom, even the commoner, to read and understand his message of Dhamma. So he deliberately chose Prakrit over any other language like Sanskrit (which was then used only by the upper class Brahmins) to communicate his message of Dhamma. Prakrit was the language used by common people and was widely understood.