Indian Antiquary Vol 31

SR No.: 032523
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 556
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1902.
IV. - Dharmopadesana, Instruction in the holy law, 49 verses ; principal metre:
Rathoddhata. V. - Saunghaprasthana, Departure of the (Jaina) congregation, 55 verses ; principal
metre: Vamastha. VI. - Suryodayavarnana, Description of the sunrise, 40 verses ; principal metre :
Målini. VII. - Satrunjayadarkana, Visit to Satramjaya, 48 verses ; principal metre: Svågatå. VIII. - Sri-Nemidarsana, Visit to the shrine of) the divine Nemintha, 48 verses ;
principal metre: Pramitakshara. IX. - Shadrituvarnana, Description of the six seasons of the year, 36 versos; principal
metre: Drutavilambitâ. X. - Purapraresa, Entrance into the town (Dholka), 47 verses; the metres vary every
two verses or still more freqnently. XI. - Enumeration of Vastupala's buildings, 41 verses ; principal metre : Vasantatilaka.
Besides the metres already mentioned, the following also occur in single verses: Arya, Indravajra, Upendravajra, Pushpitágra, Mañubhâshini, MandAkranta, 'Sardûlavikridita, Sikhariņi and Sragdhara.. Amarapapdita usually begins his first verse in the metre with which Arisimha ceases. In spite of the pains both poets have taken with the versification, it often happens that the first and third foot of a verse stop in the middle of a simple word. And although; the really distinguished poets often use the weak cæsura by ending the first padas of a half verse with one part of a compound, yet they avoid dividing simple words. This abuse first occurs in later poetasters. The more difficult feats of art, like Pratilomânuloma, Gomatrikå, etc., neither Arisimha nor Amarapandita has tried. On the other hand, there are numerous anuprásas or alliterations, and - although more seldom - even yamakas or rhymes. As for the diction, one easily perceives the zealous striving to vary the turnings of the classical models and to find new expressions or figures. The resnlt is not a brilliant one, however, and the Sukritasankirtana nowhere rises above the level of the mediocre. At some points one may doubt whether the authors are quite sound in grammar. Once, I. 44, the MS. gives the form asisnapat, and again VII. 38, asasnapat. It is possible, however, that these are clerical errors. In another place, VII. 43, there Tr the incorrect form pratildbhita. One peculiarity is the abrupt commencement of the poem which has neither an introduction nor a long mangala. The mangala is represented only by the word, Sri with which the first verse begins.
The author and his time.
All that we learn from the poem about Arisimha is that bis father was called LÂvanyesimha, VIII. 48, or Lavanasimha, X, 26. The latter is, of course, the form really used in ordinary life. We may further infer from the whole manner of representation that the poet belonged to the Jaina sect. Since his own and his father's name both end in siha, it is probable that they were both Rajputs. We learn something more about him from his assistant Amarapandita or Amarayati, whose full name is Amarachandra, and from the later Prabandhas of the Jainas. Amarachandra, pupil of Jinadattasûri, was the author of a series of works, among which the Balabharata, published in the Pandit of 1869 ff., the instruction for poets, called Kávyakalpalata (Kaviákshd), and the Karyakalpalataparimalas have been known for a long time. In the introduction to the second work he says that the aphorisms in it are composed partly by himself, partly by Arisimha. It is said there, I. 2: -"Whilst I esteem
That the third work, a super-commentary to the second, comes from Amarchandra himself; it says at the end of Karyakalpalata, I. 5. etachchhlokoktavarnyánash višeghantarani karicamayodharani materitakavyakalpeiatparimaldj jeyani.