________________ SAMARAICCAKAHA (BHAVA-II) OF HARIBHADRASURI : A STUDY (A Study with particular reference to Bhava-II) INTRODUCTION The Age of Haribhadra "History in the ordinary sense of the word is almost unknown in Indian Literature." And this is particularly true of great poets like Kalidasa, the prince among poets, and Prakrit celebrities like Bhadrabahu, Umasvati and our Haribhadra. It is by no means easy to settle the date of Haribhadra. It is still disputed in what century he lived. Scholars differ with regard to his age; and the divergence in their opinion is indeed very great. The period embraced extends from the beginning of the 6th century A. D. to the 12th century A. D. The Jain tradition mentions Vira samvat 1055 (529 A. D.) as the date of Haribhadra's death. Siddharsi, who completed his Upamitibhavaprapanca katha on may 1, 906 A. D. calls Haribhadra as his 'dharmabodhakaro guruh : Prof. Abhyankar in his Sanskrit Introduction to Vimsativimsika discusses the date of Haribhadra, and puts him in the last decades (Vikrama era 950, C. 894 A. D.) of the 9th century. His chief arguments are (i) Siddharsi's statement mentioned above. (ii) Haribhadra's works reveal his acquaintance with Sarirabhasyam (C. A. D. 800). Saka referred to by Kuvalayamala (which will be presently discussed) must be other than salivahana. Dr. Vidyabhusana (History of the Indian Logic) places him in the 12th century A. D. Jinavijayaji in his article on 'The date of Haribhadra' assigns him to the For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org Jain Education International
