Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Prakrit refers to a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages that served as the vernaculars of ancient India. The term implies "natural" or "original," contrasting with Sanskrit, which means "refined" or "cultivated" and was primarily the language of the priestly class and courtly elites.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Prakrit was the language of the ordinary people (masses). Unlike Sanskrit, which was restricted to religious rituals and the upper strata of society, Prakrit dialects were used in daily communication across different regions.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha preached in the languages of the common people to ensure their teachings were accessible to all, irrespective of caste or education. Mahavira specifically used Ardha-Magadhi (a form of Prakrit). While Buddha's teachings were preserved in Pali, early historical texts and classify the language he spoke to the masses broadly as Prakrit (vernacular).
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The form of Prakrit spoken in the region of Magadha was known as Magadhi. Maithili is a distinct language that evolved much later and is classified under New Indo-Aryan languages, not the ancient Prakrit dialects of this period.
Key Takeaway
Prakrit was the generic term for the vernacular languages of ancient India used by heterodox teachers like Mahavira and Buddha to democratize religion, whereas the dialect specific to the Magadha region was called Magadhi.