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 24

100
JAIN JOURNAL
In mentioning the name of KK also there is no uniformity. Some poets mention his name, some mention his works, and some speak of his towering personality. Nagacandra says in his Mallināthapurāņa that “KK is well known in the world as a veteren of Jaina philosophy, had the rare distinction of moving four inches above the ground which he had gained by performing profound penance.” (1-15). According to poet Santhinatha, “KK not only had the quality of walking four inches above the earth, but also had the impeccable character. Though, he was dauntless, he had concealed his courage like a hidden sword.” (Sukumāra Caritam, 1-15)
Poet Bahubali (16th c) mentions him as the author of Prābhịtairaya and his marvellous acts. Payanavarni (Jñanacandra Carite, 17th c) and poet Bommanna (Nāgakumāra Satpadi 18th c) illustiate KK's miracles. Some Kannada poets like Santhinatha, Nagacandra, Aggla, Janna give the form of Kondakunda. Nemicandra, Nagaraja, Kamalabhava, Madhura and some others quote his name as Kundakunda. Balacandra (commentator) and Parsvapandita record his name as Kundakunda, now accepted as the standard form, where as Bahubali alone gives the form Kundendu. These variant forms evidently go in favour of KKA's popularity.
It is thus evident that KK must have influenced these Kannada poets. A comparative study also proves this fact. Kannada language had the contact of Prakrit language at its initial stage as the Jaina poets, who were well versed in Prakrit and incidentally, the early cultivators of this language. In this respect, KKA has paved the way in intensifying the contact of Kannada and Prakrit.
Voddārādhane which is one of the early works of Kannada language (10th c), quotes profusely from Sanskrit and Prakrit texts. Four of the seven MSS used for editing this text, contain the following two Prakrit gāthās at the very beginning, where as the other three MSS start with an invocation of Ratnakaranda Srāvakācāra's very first verse (ie., namah sri vardhamānāya...): (y)indasaya vandiyāņam tihuvanahiya
mahura visada vakkhāņam antātitha guņāņam ņamo jiņāņam
jida bhavānam (y)esasurāsura manusindavandidam dhoda
ghāyi kamma malam panamāni vaddļamāņam ticchandayassa
kattāram