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________________ WOMEN IN ANCIENT INDIAN TALES* This book presents fifteen Indian tales, drawn mostly from Jain Prakrit literature and a few from Sanskrit literature. They are drawn from (1) Vasudevahindi (3rd Century A. D.); Majjhimakhanda (4th century A. D. ?), (2) Dharmopadesamalavivarana; (3) Bhavabhavana (11th Century A. D.); (4) Kahanayakosa (11th century A. D.); (5) Kathasaritsagara (11th century A. D. in Sanskrit); (6) Yasastilakacampu (12th century A. D.) in Sanskrit; (7) Kumaravalapadiboha (12th century A. D.); (8) Paiyakahasamgaha (12-13th century A. D.); (9) Rayanaseharakaha (15th century A. D.); (10) Nammayasundarikaha (12th century A. D.) All the fifteen tales are very fascinating and interesting. Dr. Jain rightly observes : "Prakrit Jain Narrative Literature, having the elements of folklore is extremely rich in popular tales pertaining to real life. Unfortunately, it has not been fully explored or properly rendered into English or modern Indian languages. It contains valuable narrative literature describing the social and cultural life of ancient men and women in different ages and social spheres" (Introduction, p. xvii) Dr. Jain himself first translated these tales from Prakrit and Sanskrit into Hindi. Mrs. Margaret Walter has rendered a majority of these tales from Hindi into English; and quite a few tales have been translated from Hindi into English by Mrs. Manju Jain, Dr. Jain's daughter-in-law. These tales vividly portray the life and manners of contemporary men and women. Women maintaining their chastity at whatever cost, wealthy merchants, princes, courtesans (ganikas), women messengers (dutis) prominently figure in these tales. They delight and at the same time teach. Dr. Jain's Introduction briefly deals with the position of women from the times of Rgveda down to the 15th Century A. D. The collection particularly brings out the richness of Prakrit * By : Jagadishchandra Jain and Margaret Walter, Published by K. M. Mittal, Mittal Publications. B-2/19-B, Lawrence Road, Dehli-110035, 1987, pp.xix, 110; Price Rs. 65/ Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001868 |
| Book Title | Studies in Jain Literature |
| 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 |