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JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
Works in Indian Dialects :
The contribution of Jains towards the languages of South is remarkable. The author of the Kusal, the great epic of Tamil, was a Jain poet. In Kannada also the contribution begins the Kavirājamārga by Nịpatunga, the first emperor of Karnataka. It has its golden age in the tenth century with the contribution of Punna, etc., and continued for a pretty long period. Prof. Chakravarti has surveyed the contribution of Jains towards southern languages in Jain Antiquary.
Among the Northern dialects Gujarāti and Rajasthāni literature show a dominating influence of Jain scholars while in Hindi also their contribution is creditable. The autobiography of Banarsi Das is the first work of its kind in Hindi literature. For the study of Apabhramśa, the Jain contribution forms the very backbone.
Jain Mystics of the Modern Period :
Among the mystics of India in the Muslim period and afterwards Ananda Ghana, Vinaya Vijaya and Raya Chand occupy eminent position. The last was regarded by Mahātmā Gāndhi as his Guru. His letters and Ātmasiddhi Sastra are a valuable contribution. Conclusion :
The above is a brief survey of the great scriptures of Jains. The value of a scripture can be judged by its capacity for moulding a Sattvika life, and I can say, Jain scriptures have played a creditable role in this respect. It is unfortunate that they are now the
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