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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A BRIEF SURVEY OF JAIN LITERATURE.... 509 number of hymns (Stutis, Stotras) in praise of the Jinas and ancient Jain teachers, both in Sanskrit and Prakrit. Some of these hymns are written for particular cults; some others are meant to be appreciated as lyrical poems too. Many of the hymns are short and some are of considerable length. One of the most famous Stotras is the Bhaktamarastotra in 44 verses by Manatunga, an early poet, claimed by both the Svetambaras and Digambaras as belonging to their own sect. It is an ornate poem extolling the first Jina (Rsabha) as the incomparable saint and divinity and his name is invoked as a protection in all calamities. Another famous stotra is Kalyanamandirastotra of Siddhasena Divakara who is also claimed by both the Svetambaras and the Digambaras as belonging to their sect. It is a hymn, in 44 stanzas, to parsvanatha. It abounds in Slesas' and is quite artificial. Siddasena is credited with the writting of Dvatrimsad-Dvatrimsika "32 Sets of 32 verses each". Samantabhadra wrote his Brhatsvayambhustotra or Caturvimsatijinastavana, a hymn in praise of all the 24 Jinas, beginning with the praise of the first Jina who is here called Svayambhu (the Self-existent). There are a number of stotras in which all the 24 Jinas are praised. The most famous is the "Sobhana stuti" (Hymn of Sobhana' or alternatively 'Beautiful hymn') by the poet Sobhana (2nd half of the 10th century A. D.). Dhanapala, Sobhana's brother wrote his Rsabha-Pancasika, a hymn in honour of Rsabha, in 50 Prakrit stanzas. Though the style is artificial it does not lack in warmth and beautiful metaphors. Another noteworthy Stotra is the Vitaragastotra (A poem in praise of the Vitaraga, i.e., the Passionless one" viz., Mahavira). It consists of 20 short stavas or Prakasas (Sections) generally of 8 or 9 slokas each. The language of this poem is exceptionally simple and lucid. The Jain stotras exhibit the same form, style and characteristics as are found in the Hindu and the Buddhist stotras. Some of the Jain stotras are popular on account of religious interest but only a few are noteworthy for their religious interest as well as for their literary merit. As the glorification of Jinas and Saints does not admit of much variation in subjectmatter some stotras are artificially constructed to show tricks of language in the use of Yamaka and other figures of speech in the regular kavya style. (xii) Didactic poems Didactic poetry is instructive and mainly deals with the well-known themes of Niti (practical sagacity) and Vairagya (the mood which is based on the realisation of the futility of human effort and which leads to noble reflections on the sorrows of life). It gives poetical expression to traditional wisdom or to wisdom springing from close observation of men and manners. One of the