Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 302

284 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE noted in the footnotes. In some cases I have corrected the readings by referring to the passages in the books used by the author. I have spared no pains in presenting the text of SC as faithfully as was possible in the circumstances. 2. THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF VIJAYAVARNI Nothing is known about the personal history of Vijayavarni beyond what he has himself told us in the prasasti and the puspika to his work : he was a disciple of Munindra Vijayakirti, a devout adherent of the doctrine of Syadvada, propounded by the great Jinas. In the course of a literary discourse he was once asked by King Kamiraja of Bangavadi to explain the various aspects of poetics. At the King's request he composed Alamkarasamgraha called Srngararnavacandrika (SC). This work, while elucidating the different topics in poetics, sings the glory of King Kamiraja through the examples with which he illustrates the different points. In the introduction to his work he particularly refers to the poetry of Karnata poets like Gunavarman. This reference would lead us to believe that he had himself studied their poetry. A perusal of the sc would reveal that he had studied the standard works on poetics namely, those of Dandi, Bhoja, Dhanamjaya, Mammata and the like, Vijayavarni was in personal association with king Kamiraja. Naturally, his date depends on that of King Kamiraja. 3. DATE OF KING KAMIRAJA In his Prasasti the author gives the geneology of his patron; and according to Pt. Bhujabali Sastri and Dr. Nemicandra Sastri, our author's information does not conflict with historical facts. Viranarasimha ruled at Bangavadi (1157 A. D.). He had a brother called Pandyaraja. Candrasekhara, the son of Viranarasimha, came to the throne in A. D. 1208, and his younger brother Pandyappa, in A D. 1224. Vitthaladevi, their sister, was appointed regent in A. D. 1239. Then her son, called Kamiraja, came to the throne in A. D. 12645. Our author wrote his SCs at the request of this King Kamiraja (name is spelt as Kamaraya, Kamiraya and Kamiraya in the MS) Vijayavarni must have, therefore, composed his SC in the last quarter of the thirteenth century (A. D.). A comparative study of the nearly common or corresponding passages between SC and Prataparudrayasobhusana(PRY), and SC and Alamkarasamgraha, however, raises doubts regarding the date of composition of Vijayavarni's work. Dr. Kane assigns PRY to the first quarter of the fourteenth century. Pandit Balkrishnamurti assigns Amstanandayogin to the thirteenth century whereas C. Kuhnan Raja assigns him to the beginning of the second half