Jain Journal 1978 01

SR No.: 520049
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 2 MB

Page 23

Kunda Kunda's Influence on Some Kanvada Poets
C. R. KAMALA HAMPANA
In the geneology of Digambra Acaryas Kundakundacarya's (KKA) place is unique as he has preserved to his followers the rich traditional knowledge of Jaina canon. It is through his writings that Kannada poets had the glimpse of the literary and cultural heritage of Jainism. This paper attempts to delineate the influence of this great Master on some of the Kannada poets.
It was the practice of Jaina Poets in Kannada, to pay homage to Arhatas, Siddhas, Acaryas, Upadhyayas and Sarva Sadhus-the five Paramesthi's in the first five stanzas. After that Sarasvati, Yakşa and Yakṣi are respectfully remembered. Immediately, after that, there will be the honourable mention of some luminory Jaina Acaryas. This is traced from Gautama Ganadhara, apostle of Mahavira, upto the contemporary teacher of that particular poet. (This pattern has been a model for later Virasaiva poets in Kannada). This pattern became so customary that it was followed even in inscriptions, also.
It is in this context that the Jaina poets in Kannada mention KKA. Santinatha (1066), Karnaparya (a. 1140), Aggala (a. 1189), Nemicandra (a. 1170), Gunavarma II (a. 1215), Nāgacandra (a. 1100), Parsvapandita (a.1205) Janna (1209), Kamalabhava (a. 1235), Madhura (a. 1385), Kumudendu (a. 1275), Nagaraja (1331), Balacardra (a. 1170), Vrttavilasa (a. 1360), Mangaraja (1509) are some of the poets who mention him. Generally, KK and Umasvati are mentioned together. Very few like Nayasena, Madhura and Mangarasa mention KK alone. But, on the other hand, quite a good number of poets record Umasvati only, either by his name or by his another name, Grddhapinccha.
Pampa (941), one of the earliest poets of Kannada neither mentions the name of KK nor the name of Umasvati directly. He simply pays his homage to Grddhapinchha, which is another name of Umasvati. Camundaraya and Acanna have followed Pampa in this in just mentioning Grddhapinccha and omitting KK from the list. Ponna (950), Ranna (973), Bandhuvarma (a. 1200) and Sisumayana (a. 15th c) do not mention the name of KK at all.