Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

SR No.: 001597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 460
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Language
File Size: 22 MB

Page 88

Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
to me.
It is the usual practice of the Sectional President to present in his address a bibliographic survey of publications coming out during a particular period and also make an appraisal of researches carried out in the concerned field. But I think, such survey is not desirable, for you all, as scholars interested in this field, are expected to know about such publications. Nor is it justifiably practicable to enter, at this hour, into such appraisal. Moreover it is the maiden Session of this newly emerged Conference. Hence I propose to limit myself to setting critically a few desiderative tasks and prospects for consideration, choise and undertaking, and also to stressing over a word or two for the equipment and encouragement of freshers and youngsters moving into this fascinating field viz., the field of the Jaina Puranas and Narrative Literature. Such limiting brings me on the following points:
(i) A Descriptive Master Catalogue of Jaina Puranas. (ii) Historical core of the Adipurāna or Adiśvaracarita. (iii) Jaina Narratives preserved in the Cūrnis.
(iv) Some tips on higher studies and research in Prakrit and Jainology.
The Jaina Purānas actually form a branch of the vast Jaina Narrative Literature. But by vircue of their antique nature, magnitude, certain characteristics and objectives, they have assumed for themselves a class of their own viz., the Purānas or Caritas. This class is also significantly designated as the Prathamānuyoga. These Puranas can be divided into two categories :
(1) The Mahāpurāņa or Trişasti-salākā purusa-carita (Biographies of Sixty-three Great Personage), and
(II) The (Laghu) Purana or Carita (Biography of one Great Personage). Unlike the Hindu Purānas, the Jaina Purānas have not been fixed into definite numbers (such as 18 and 8); nor are