Manorama Kaha

SR No.: 002596
Original Sutra Author: Vardhmansuri
Author: Rupendrakumar Pagariya
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 402
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 11 MB

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maņi-kosa, from the Brhtaknthakośa and the Upadeśatarangiņi. In some form it was also known to the auth r of Jatukatthakatha (see Músikajätuka, no 373). We find a tale with a similar motif in the Kacha saritsägara (The tale of Hariśarman, V1,92
and among the folk-tales of several regions including Gujarat. This is AarneThompson Tale Type no. 1641 called Doctor Know-A11.
In the sub-tale The Thoughtless King and the Foolish Minister(MK, pp 62 63) we find the earliest version of a popular tale known as Andheri Nagari no Gandu Raja in the western and northern India.
Below we point out some more similar tales from MK, bearing clear marks of popular origin, and kaown also from other collections of narratives or from folk traditions: The Potter Always Bothered About Others' Affairs (Anakkhabahulo Kumbhūro),
pp. 39-40. The Sweet-Tongued Old Woman (Amaya-muha-theri), pp 35-41. The Tempted Ascetic and the Imprifoned Monkey (Punnasära-kaha), pp. 33-35. The Fable of the Fox and the Oil-Drenched Rope (Jambua-sineha-sitta nadaya
ditthamto), p. 43. The Merchant's Four sons and the Riddle of the Division of the Inheritance
(Setthi-putta-vuvahāra-ditthanto), pp.42-43. Burried Money Stolen by Sham-Dead Thief (Sarana-jūayara-kaha), pp 100-101. The Fool in Search of a Blame-bearer for his Business Loss (Garagara-bhatta
ditthamta), pp. 108-109. The Joke of the Literal Fool and the Illustrative Tale of the Myrobaton-physician
(Haradaya-veijo) pp.-286. The Riddle of Three Skulls, pp. 73-74.
The Tale of King Tejasār (MK,pp 204-219) deserves a special mention. It is a full-fledged romance, full of adventures and congaest of girls. Its contents and style are quite obviously inspired by the Vasudevahimdi, and the description of the lake Jalahikallola immediately reminds the reader of the lake Acchoda ip Bāņa's Kadambari.
Many a tale of the MK. is notable for depicting incidents and situations in a life-like mandei. This realistic trait is of course characteristic of a majority of Prakrit tales in general. In these stories of the MK., we get authentic glimpses of the middle and lower social strata of Gujarat, Rajasthan and the adjoining regions during the eleventh century, and this establishes the great value of the MK, as a socio-cultural document of that period.
4. See Bhayani H.C., 'The tale of the Royal Monk Yava' to appear shortly in the Prof. P. V.
Bapat Felicitation Volume, 5. See Bhayani H C., Sadhu CaĻāvo śaļie' (Gaj.), Buddhiprakasa 124, Jan. 1977, 31-32.