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 525

A BRIEF SURVEY OF JAIN LITERATURE.... 507 Dhanesvara's Surasundaricariam (end of the eleventh century A. D.) is a voluminous romantic epic in Prakrit. Maladharin Devaprabha's Mrgavati-caritra containing one of the versions of the legend of Udayana and his two queens Vasavadatta and Padmavati is another fairy tale epic. Caritrasundara's Mahipalacaritra (middle of the 15th century A. D.) is an ornate epic in 14 cantos. We have a few Kathanakas (lit., little stories) developed into independent works or ornate poems. The Kalakacaryakathanaka is probably based on an old tradition and possibly contains an historical nucleus. It is the story of the King's son Kalaka, who is converted to Jainism. His younger sister was abducted by Gardabhilla, ruler of Ujjayini. Kalaka incites rulers of Sakakula to go to war against Gardabhilla and conquer Ujjayini. Another noteworthy work of the Kathanaka type is the Campakasresthikathanaka (Story of the merchant Campaka) by Jinakirti (middle of the 15th century A. D.). It presents the tale of the lucky child that is saved from destruction by the fatal letter exchanged at the last moment. This tale is widely known both in the East and the West. (x) Kathakosas The Jains, who are unsurpassed in the art of story-telling, compiled various books of stories (Kathakosas) in later times. They are in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Apabhramsa languages. Some of the compilers of these stories are known while others are unknown. Some Kathakosas are already published, some others lie in the form of MSS in Jain Bhandaras. Most of them are noted in the Jinaratnakosa. A few of these Kathakosas may be noticed here : A Kathakosa (Treasury of Stories) collected by an unknown compiler is a vertiable mine of tales, some of which also belong to universal literature. The language of the tales is bad Sanskrit with verses in Prakrit. Everywhere there is a strong Jinistic tendency. For example, a seafarer's story full of wonderful adventures is transformed into a Jain legend. The last story in the Kathakosa is a curious Jain adaptation of the Nala-episode of the Mahabharata. Harisena's (Brhat) Kathakosa (931-32 A. D.) presents a series of tales which illustrate the allusions found in the Bhagavatiaradhana. The text contains over 150 stories in Sanskrit. The chief object of most of these tales is to glorify Jainism and impress on the minds of the readers the greatness of Jainism and thus propagate in the Society the religio-moral ideals upheld by Jainism. Devabhadra composed his Kathakosa (Katharatnakosa) in 1101 A. D. Religious and ethical instruction through stories is the main purpose of this composition. Subhasila wrote his Pancasatiprabodhasambandha "Book of 500 stories serving to awaken the Faith" in 1464 A. D. In spite of the title the work contains nearly 600 stories, anecdotes, legends, fables,