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 420

402 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE bearing nidana has on one's life. Sometimes imaginary tales are made an excuse for attacking rival schools of thought and their mythology. Haribhadra's Dhurtakhyana is a striking example in point. (V) The prabandhas are semihistorical works dealing with the lives of great pontiffs who became the head of the Jain community after Mahavira and of royal patrons and merchant princes who eminently served the cause of Jainism. Here the historian has to separate facts from fiction in their mixture. (vi) Kathakosas or compilations of stories, such as Brhatkathakosa, Kumarapalapratibodha, which could be used as source books for constant reference, form the last type. In these different categories certain traits arrest our attention as they are not noticed in other branches of Indian literature : (1) "Pages after pages are devoted to the past and future births; (ii) the inexorable Law of Karma plays a very conspicuous role; (iii) sermons with dogmatic details are introduced; (iv) tales are inserted within a narrative; (v) illustrative tales are added here and there; and (vi) The spirit of asceticism is writ large throughout the text; and almost as a rule every hero retires from the world to attain better status in the next life." Summary of the Text (Note : There was a prince Gunasena. He had a friend Agnisarman who was very ugly. The prince enjoyed fun at his cost; as a result of this he turned an ascetic. Gunasena became the king, once met Agnisarman, repented for his past ill-treatment and invited him to take food at his place. He accepted the invitation. Thrice he went there but Gunasena for one reason or the other could not receive him. Agnisarman misunderstood Gunasena. He was inflamed with fury and resolved : "If I have acquired merit by my austerities may I then be born again and again to kill him in every one of his births." Accordingly the two were born in nine successive births as enemies. Samaraiccakaha narrates these nine births in nine chapters (bhavas). The second bhava narrates the 2nd existence in which they were born as Simha and Ananda, father and son.) In Jayapura there ruled King Purusadatta; his wife was Srikanta. Gunasena, at the end of his life in heaven, was born of them as the son named Simha. He grew up a model of a prince. Once he met in a park Kusumavali, the daughter of his maternal uncle Laksmikanta. Both fell in love with each other. Kusumavali is tormented by love. She is sick. Madarilekha worms the secret of distress out of her princess; she approves of Kusumavali's fitting choice; and