Jaina Literature form earliest time to century 10th AD

SR No.: 250158
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Z_Shwetambar_Sthanakvasi_Jain_Sabha_Hirak_Jayanti_Granth_012052.pdf
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 11
Language: English
Classification: Article & Literature
File Size: 2 MB

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Jaina Literature (From Earliest Time to c. 10th A. D. ) 13 such as Adipurana by Pumpa and santipurana by existence to the final liberation. The conversion of the Ponna (c. 10th A. D. ) may also be included in this cruel king Marudatta to Jainism is the theme of this category. It is also to be noted that stories of Rama work. No literature representing the fourth type, i. e., and Krsna are well recognised in Jaina tradition and semi-historical prabandhas has been written in correJaina writers composed so many independent works sponding period. All these prabandhas are written on the life of these two great personalities, accordingly. after c. 12th A. D. The third typs marks an interesting phase in the last type is represented by the compilaIndian literature, in which religious tales are pre- tion of stories or Kathakosas. The stories contained sented in a romantic form. The Tarangalola of in these works have got a definite moral purpose to be Padaliptasuri in Prakrta is lost but its epitome in propogated and as such teachers and preachers could Samskrta Tarangavati indicates that it might have use them independently without any specific context, possessed engrossing literary qualities. Then there is throughout there discourses. Many of the Kathakosas the Vasudevahindi of Sanghadasagani (c. 6th A. D.). are of anonymous composition. Vasudevahindi is probably the Maharastri version of The well known work of this type is Gunadhya's famous Bihatkatha, written in Satavahana Dharmopadesamala of Jaisimhasuri ( 867 A. D. ) period. Vasudeva, the father of the Krsna, the roman- composed in Prakrta. The work has auto-commentary tic hero of this novel, evidently remind us of and has 156 stories. Brhatkathakosa, composed in Naravahanadatta, the Hero of Gunalhya. Next there 931 A. D. by Harisena, is also one of the important is Samaraiccakaha of Haribhadra in Praksta described works of Yapaniya tradition of Jainism. It is very inby author as religious story, i. e., Dharmakatha. The formative Jaina text of early medieval period. fortune of the hero Samaraditya is traced through his 9 previous births. The underlying principle of these 5. The Secular Literature of Jainas narratives is the doctrine of Karma. Haribhadra's As defined, being a realistic system with a Dhurtakhyana in Praksta is also one of the important high spiritualistic bias, the basic texts of Jainism deal works of Jaina literature. It shows through this imagi- with the phenomena of the spiritual kingdom as well nary tale how skilfully the incredible legends of as physical universe. Jaina Acaryas introduced variHindu Mythology could be ridiculed. Next, ous learnings aiming at the developement of Kuvalayamala ( Maharastri Prakrta ) by Svetambara personalities and character, preservation of its culacarya Udyotanasuri, composed in 799 A. D. shows tural heritage, shoulder the responsibilities of the author's thorough acquaintance with works of previ ascetic and house-holders in society and performance ous writers by referring to them. He has beautifully of religious duties. These aims are achieved by learndescribed the corrupt city life. Upamitibhava ing such subjects as could strike the balance between prapancakatha is composed in Samskrta in 906 A.D. the spiritual as well as worldly life. by Siddharsi. The work of Siddharsi is an elaborate The earlier Jaina canons mention different and extensive allegory. It is a narrative consisting of subjects dealing with worldly phenomena. Sutraseries of birth stories, i. e., the hero of all the stories is kitanga, Bhagavati, Samavayarga, Nandisutra, the same person in different births. Acarya proposes Prajnapana, Jambudvipaprajnapti, Candra and Suryato explain the mundane carrier of the soul (Jiva ) un- prajnapti describe various aspects of biology, gramder the name of samsari jiva from the lowest stage of mar, chanda, nirukta, jyotisa, geography, astronomy