The correct answer is option 2 - Pali texts. Pali is a Middle Indo-Aryan language that was used to write the early Buddhist scriptures. These ancient texts, also known as the Pali Canon or Tripitaka, contain the teachings and discourses of the Buddha. Pali was chosen as the language of these scriptures because it was the vernacular language of the people in the region of ancient India where Buddhism originated.

Option 1, Prakrit texts, is incorrect because although Prakrit languages were spoken in ancient India, they were not used to compose the early Buddhist scriptures.

Option 3, Sanskrit texts, is incorrect because although Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and was widely used in ancient Indian literature, it was not the language used for the early Buddhist scriptures.

Option 4, Pictographical texts, is incorrect because the early Buddhist scriptures were not composed using pictographs but were written in a written language.