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

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412 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE gifted poet--these are the diverse facets of this versatile genius. He wields a fluent pen and displays command of language, both Prakrtt and Sanskrit. By far the work with which Haribhadra's literary glory is associated, is his splndid romance Samaradityakatha. In its literary merit Samaradityakatha is supreme. It is a masterpiece which at once reveals Haribhadra's merits as well as faults. "Haribhadra is an adept story-teller. If we casually glance through his Samaraiccakaha, we find that he is well-informed about the workings of human mind and about the human behaviour in general. His experience is wide; naturally he creates characters and situations of engrossing interest. The Samaraiccakaha gives many counter tales which go to confirm the central idea of the main story. He possesses a special liking for symbolical apologues, apparently meaningless but full of significance and instruction when they are explained. Enlightenment by absurd stories and situations is a fine weapon which Haribhadra brandishes quite successfully. Arhaddatta (Sixth Bhava), for instance was enlightened when he was incurably attached to the pleasures of body by telling him that he was as foolish as a person extinguishing fire with grass. Absurd situations are presented illustrating such motifs_-"Dr. Upadhye (Dhurtakhyana, a critical study). In Samaradityakatha we meet with "some interesting tales, romantic love stories, such as that of Sanat-Kumara and Vilasavati who are reunited after a long separation and after inexpressibly sorrowful adventures (ship-wrecks etc.) The story, too of Dharana and Laksmi is a pretty fairy romance, full of adventures on land and sea, with many familiar fairy tale motifs. Thus we find here the motif of the ungrateful wife : Dharana and Laksmi are wandering in the forest. The woman is nearly dying of thirst. Dharana draws blood from his arm, and cuts off some flesh from his thigh, so as to nourish his wife. Soon afterwards, nevertheless, she tries to get rid of her husband, in order to follow a robber, to whom she had taken a fancy." --Dr. Winternitz Incidentally, Haribhadra presents in his stories a graphic and vivid picture of Indian life in the 8th century; the descriptions of the dance of women to celebrate the birthday festival, the music parties and the displaying of castepride (1st Bhava), the descriptions of marriage-ceremonies, of conducting a search in the suspect's house, of journeys and sea-voyages fraught with dangers and difficulties, of the raids on the towns (2nd Bhava), of court-life, of the sabaras and candalas, the coronation of the crown-prince, are some outstanding features which even an ultra-modern reader will find interesting.