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## Introduction
Here, the term 'Vimala Pada' (which means 'pure feet' and 'pure path') has two meanings. The 'Harivaṃśa' by Vimala Sūrika is still unavailable, and its discovery could help determine the original basis of the 'Harivaṃśa'. Considering the style of narration, it is clear that the author has carefully studied the 'Padmacarita' by Raviṣeṇa. The use of prose is not found in other 'Padmamaya' texts, but just as Raviṣeṇa used prose with a rhythmic flow in the 'Padmacarita', so too has Jinaseṇa used prose with a rhythmic flow in the 49th chapter of the 'Harivaṃśa' while praising Nemi Jinendra. The description of the 'loka-vibhāga' (division of the world) and the 'śalākā-puruṣa' (key figures) in the 'Harivaṃśa' aligns with the 'Trailokya Prajñapti'. The description of the 'dvādaśāṅga' (twelve parts of Jain scriptures) is in line with the 'Rājāvatīka', the description of music is inspired by Bharata Muni's 'Nāṭyaśāstra', and the explanation of the 'tattva' (principles) is in accordance with the 'Tattvārthasūtra' and 'Sarvārthasiddhi'. This suggests that Ācārya Jinaseṇa has thoroughly studied all these texts. The comparative notes provided in the respective sections make this conclusion easy to reach. However, I am unable to determine from which texts the descriptions of 'vratavidhāna' (rules of vows), 'samavasaraṇa' (assembly of the Tirthankaras), and 'Jinendra vihāra' (conduct of the Tirthankaras) are inspired. [4]
## The Author of the Harivaṃśa Purāṇa: Ācārya Jinaseṇa
The author of the 'Harivaṃśa Purāṇa', Ācārya Jinaseṇa, belonged to the Punṇāṭa Sangha. He is different from Jinaseṇa, the author of the 'Mahāpurāṇa' and other works. His guru's name was Kītiṣaṇa and his dadaguru's name was Jinaseṇa. The guru of Jinaseṇa, the author of the 'Mahāpurāṇa' and other works, was Vīraseṇa and his dadaguru was Āryanandī. Punṇāṭa is the ancient name of Karnataka, hence the name of the monastic order from that region was the Punṇāṭa Sangha. There is no mention of Jinaseṇa's birthplace, parents, or early life. For a renunciate, such details are not necessary.
Ācārya Jinaseṇa was a learned scholar, as is evident from the study of the 'Harivaṃśa Purāṇa'. The 'Harivaṃśa Purāṇa' is not only a purāṇa but also presents a good explanation of various topics from Jain literature, making it an unparalleled text in Jain literature. [5]
## The Guru Paramparā of the Author
The 66th chapter of the 'Harivaṃśa Purāṇa' lists the same lineage of Ācāryas from Bhagavān Mahāvīra to Lohācārya that is found in other texts like 'Śrutāvatāra'. However, after that, i.e., 683 years after Vīra Nirvāṇa, Jinaseṇa has provided an unbroken lineage from his guru Kītiṣaṇa onwards, which is not found elsewhere. This makes the importance of this text even greater. That lineage is as follows: Vinayadhara, Śrutigupta, Ṛṣigupta, Śivagupta, Mandarārya, Mitravirya, Baldeva, Balamitra, Simhabala, Vīravit, Padmaseṇa, Vyāghrahasti, Nāgahasti, Jitadanda, Nandīṣeṇa, Dīpaseṇa, Dharaseṇa, Dharmaseṇa, Simhaseṇa, Nandīṣeṇa, Iśvaraseṇa, Nandīṣeṇa, Abhayaseṇa, Siddhaseṇa, Abhayaseṇa, Bhīmaseṇa, Jinaseṇa, Śāntiṣeṇa, Jayaseṇa, Amitaseṇa; Kītiṣaṇa and Jinaseṇa (the author of the 'Harivaṃśa').
Among them, Amitaseṇa is described as the leader of the Punṇāṭa Gaṇa and a centenarian. 28 Ācāryas are mentioned in the 683 years from Vīra Nirvāṇa to Lohācārya. The existence of Lohācārya is accepted until Vikrama Samvat 213, and the existence of Jinaseṇa is established until Vikrama Samvat 840. Thus, the presence of 31 Ācāryas in this gap of 627 years is consistent.
1. In the introduction to the second part of the 'Trailokya Prajñapti' published by the Br. Jīvarāja Granthamālā, Solapur, its editors Dr. Hīrālāl Jī and Dr. A.N. Upādhye have compared the 'Trailokya Prajñapti' with other texts, including the 'Harivaṃśa', and discussed the similarities and differences in their descriptions. We do not delve into that discussion here due to space constraints, but we do draw the readers' attention to it. 2. 'Harivaṃśa Purāṇa', Chapter 66, Verses 22-33.