Sanskrit is considered the "parent" language:
* Sanskrit is considered a formal, literary language that developed in ancient India around the 2nd millennium BCE. It's the basis for many other Indian languages, including the Prakrit languages.
* Prakrit languages are considered descendants of Sanskrit, evolving from it. They emerged around the 6th century BCE and were used in everyday speech by the common people.
Therefore, technically, Sanskrit is older than Prakrit.
However, it's important to understand this:
* Sanskrit was never a spoken language for the majority of people. It was primarily used for religious texts, literature, and scholarly purposes.
* Prakrit languages were the daily language of the masses. They were spoken by the common people and used in everyday life.
In this sense, Prakrit languages were "older" in terms of their practical use and evolution as spoken languages.
Think of it this way:
* Sanskrit is like the original blueprint for a house.
* Prakrit languages are like the different versions of that house built over time, each with its own unique features and adaptations.
So, while Sanskrit came first, Prakrit languages represent a more immediate and lived experience of language evolution.