Jaina Granth Bhandars in Rajasthan

SR No.: 011017
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kasturchand Kasliwal
Publisher: Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra Mandir
Publication Year: 1967
Total Pages: 394
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

Page 158

Subjects Dealt With
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an old town in Rajasthān. The Purăna contains 24 Adhikärs. In this century Candra Kirti a pupil of Vidya Bhusana, a well known Bhattāraka of his time wrote Adipurāņa", Padma Purāņa2 and Pārswa Purānal. Ajinātha Purāņa* was written by Arunamani in 1659 A.D. in Jahănābāda The Puraña describes the life of Ajitanátha, the second Tirthankara. Brahma Krişna Dása was also a great scholar of the 17th century. He wrote Munisubrata Puranas and Vimla Purāņa in the year 1624 and 1617 A.D. Respectively,
PURĀNA WRITTEN IN APABHRAMSA
Apibhramsa was the language of the people for many centuries therefore there are also several Purāņas written in this language. The Apabhramsa works are mostly preserved in the Jain Bhandārs of Jaipur, Nagaur and Ajmer.
In the 10th century Puşpadanta was the most famous poet of Apabhraíša language. He wrote Mahāpurāna which describes the life of 63 Grcat persons of Jaina religion. It is divided into two parts. The first part is called Adipurāna and the second part is called Uttarapurāna. The Adipurāna consists 37 sandhis and the second part contains 65 sandhis. Puspadant wrote this Purana under the patronage of Minister of Raj Krişna third who was the ruler of Raştrakita dynasty It was begun in the year 959 A. D. and was finished in the year 965 1.e, complete six years were taken in writing this Kāvya. This Mahāpurāna remained so much popular among the Jainas that manuscript copies of this Purāņa are found in most of the Grantha Bhandārs of Rajasthan. There are 25 manuscript copies of this Purăņa in Grantha Bhandārs of Jaipur.
In the year 942 Padam Kirti wrote Pārswa Purāna which describes the life of Lord Pārswanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. The Purāna is divided in 18 sandhis. There is one copy of this Purana in Āmer Sastra Bhandar, Jaipur. The work is sull un-published.
In the 11th century Mahākavi Dhavala wrote Harivansa Purana a mammoth work. The Purana is divided in 122 Sandhis and contains about 18,000 verses.
1
Amer Šāstra Bhandar, Jaipur.
2
Ibid.
3. Bhaffärkiya Sastra Bhangar, Nāgaur.
4.
to
5.
Ibid,