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 345

JAIN CONTRIBUTION TO SANSKRIT POETICS AND AESTHETICS 327 four rasas only. It is, however, very surprising, if not shocking, that none of these Jain authors and commentators takes congnisance of the "nava-kavva-rasa pannatta" passage found in their sacred text., the Anuyogadvarasutra. In conclusion, I should like to say that the Jain contribution to the Sanskrit poetics and aesthetics is noteworthy, especially when we remember that almost all these Jain works have been composed during the period of decline and decadence. A few of them, like Acarya Hemacandra, (Ramacandra and Gunacandra) adopt the finest passages or lines from the standard works or early authorities on alamkara and organise them into good text-books. A few others choose to write commentaries on the far-famed Kavyaprakasa. Manikyacandra's commentary Kavyaprakasasamketa enjoys reputation and authority as one of the early and authentic commentaries. Still a few others devote their attention to writing convenient hand-books or manuals with a view to providing instruction to the aspiring poet in the devices of the craft. The Kavyakalpalatavrtti of Arisimha and Amaracandra is a typical or model siksagrantha. Authors like Ramacandra and Gunacandra who wrote the Natyadarpana and a 'moderner' like Siddhicandragani who wrote Kavyaprakasakhandana set out their novel theories regarding the nature of rasa--whether it is laukika or alaukika, whether it is sukhatmaka or sukhaduhkhatmaka, whether their number is limited to eight or nine or whether there are as many rasas as there are cittavrttis or bhavas including the sattvikabhavas (which are, in fact, physical manifestations) and spring on us a pleasant surprise by their fresh outlook and logical reasoning in the face of stalwarts--intellectual giants like Abhinavagupta. By adopting passages long and short from early authorities and preserving them in their original form they have proved themselves of invaluable help in restoring the corrupt text of highly important works like Abhinavabharati, Locana. Bhoja's srngaraprakasa, Kuntaka's Vakroktijivita, etc. Notes and References : 1. A History of Indian Literature, Vol. II, Calcutta, 1933, pp. 594-595. 2. The Sahityadarpana of Visvanatha and The History of Sanskrit Poetics by P. V. Kane, third edition, Bombay 1951, p. 217. 3. History of Sanskrit Poetics In Two Volumes, Second Revised Edition, Calcutta, 1960, Vol. I, p. 189, f. n. 1. 4. Ibid, p. 190. 5. A History of Sanskrit Literature by A. B. Keith, Oxford, 1928, pp. 395-396.