________________ Introduotion equally important kathas in Jainism such as the Story of Varadatta and unamanjari, the Story of Abhayakumara, the Story of Ilachiputra, the Story of Kurmaputra etc., but this is in a way 'a pet story of the Jainas '. It is because of the greatness of the topic with which it deals. As the poet hiinself says, through the mouth of Gautamaswami who says to king Shrenika to whom he reveals the story, in Verse 36: "तो भणइ मुणी निसुणुसु, नरवर ! अक्खाणयं इमं रम्म / सिरिसिद्धचकमाहप्पसुंदरं परमचुजकरं // " " Then the sage said :-oh, king I hear this beautiful story which is charming on account of the greatness of the Siddhchakra, and which excites great wonder (in our hearts )." The greatness and importance of the story is also due to the literary and didactic qualities which it possesses. 6. The purpose of the author in writing the story is the same as exAuthor's purpose pounded before viz. to convey in writing ihe story. home to the readers the great ness and importance of the Navapada or the Siddhachara and we are to
