Kumarpal Charita

SR No.: 002235
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shankar Pandurang Pandit
Publisher: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
Publication Year: 1936
Total Pages: 762
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 11 MB

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KUMĀRAPĀLACARITA
simha alias Siddharāja, to give up the boy to follow the religious life. The boy was given the name of Somacandra on his entering the order of ascetios. Ho thereafter studied various branches of Hindu and Jain sciences. In recognition of his scholarship, his old ācārya gave him the Mantra and the title of Sūri and re-named him as Hemacandra. This ceremony was performed at Nagor in Samvat 1162 or 1105 A.D. Hemacandra thereafter visit ed Arahillapura, the capital of Gujarat, and was introduced to king Jayasimha alias Siddharāja. It was at the suggestion of Siddharāja that he wrote his Grammer and, for the high patronage that he received from the king; named it Siddha-Hema-Šabdānuśāsana, and himself wrote a commentary on it. During the reign of Siddharāja, Hemacandra composed a few more works such as Abhi-. dhānacintāmani and Anekārthasam graha. Siddharāja honoured Homacandra as a learned monk at first, but gradually came under the influence of his religious tenets also. It is said that under Hemacandra's instruction Siddharāja built two Jain temples Rājavihāra in the capital and Siddhavibāra at Siddhapura. The work which Hemacandra began in the reign of Siddhårāja was completed in the reign of his successor, king Kumārapāla ; for Siddharāja only favoured Jainisin, while Kumārapāla adopted Jainism as the religion of the state.
Hemacandra is a versatile and encyclopaedio writer. The tradition says that his writings extend to three orores and a half of slokas. The Prabhāvakacarita says:
व्याकरणं पञ्चाङ्गं प्रमाणशास्त्रं प्रमाणमीमांसाम् । छन्दोलंकृतिचूडामणी च शास्त्रे विभुळधित ॥१॥ एकार्थानेकार्था देश्या निर्घण्ट इति च चत्वारः । विहिताश्च नामकोशा भुवि कवितानटयुपाध्यायाः ॥ २॥