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 486

468 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE style. Its language and style are, as compared to Setubandha, more easy and less involved. Like Pravarasena Sarvasena too shows the use of long compounds and figures of speech. Kuntaka's praise for graceful style and Dhvanikara's compliment for imaginative handling of the Parijata episode and Bhoja's appreciation of his work (by profusely quoting from it) Sarvasena very well deserves. (d) Pravarasena's Setubandha31 also known as Ravanavaho, (C. first half of the 5th century A. D.) : This work is completely available with Sanskrit commentaries Setutattvacandrika (Anonymous, ed. Basak, Calcutta, 1959) and Ramasetupradipa (of Ramadasa, NS edn, Bombay 1935). There are eight more commentaries which are still unpublished. Some of them are incomplete and fragmentary. The Setubandha deals with a portion of the story of Rama from the return of Hanumat from Lanka with the whereabouts of Sita to the death of Ravana, with special emphasis on the construction of the great causeway between the mainland and the island. It follows the story of Rama as related in the Ramayana with only a few minor variations. The designations of the different cantos of the Setubandha listed below from the commentary of Ramadasa give an adequate idea of its contents. 1. Rama-prasthanam (Rama's March). 2. Samudrotkarsah (The Glory of the Ocean). 3. Sugriva-praudhih (Sugriva's war-like speech and boastful claims of his own powers). 4. Rama-sadgunyam (Rama's application of the six political expedients--Consecrating Vibhisana as the future ruler of Lanka). 5. Samudraquathah (The boiling-rage of the Ocean). 6. Parvatoddharah (The uprooting of mountains). 7. Setorudyogah (Active preparations for the construction of causeway). 8. Setunispattih (The successful building of the causeway). 9. Suvelotkarsah (The glory of the Suvela mountain). 10. Kamini-kelih (The gaieties of love of the young women of Lanka). 11. Mayottamangam (The exhibition of the severed head of Rama by magic and the lamentation of Sita and Trijata's consolatory speech). 12. Sainyasanghattah (The battle of the two armies of the Vanaras and the Raksasas. 13. Dvandvasangramah (Single Combats between leaders of the Vanaras and the Raksasas). 14. Raksoviksobhah (The convulsions of the Raksasas) and 15. Sitasampraptih (Reunion with Sita after the slaying of Ravana). The Setubandha is the only extant mahakavya written in Prakrit. Its affinity to the Sanskrit mahakavya is one of the main causes of its popularity through the centuries32.