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37949'raf 15-16
very much relevant from the point of view of the History of Indian literature, as well as, the development of Jain Philosophy and Ethics.
We have a very rich tradition of Krishna-Katha in Jain literature, but, unforunately, very few books are available today, because, the old manuscripts could not be preserved, when the invaders invaded this country, destroying the treasure of old books and manuscripts. -
The oldest known epic, named as "Harivansh-Purana' written by Mahakavi Jinsen in 841 Vikarmi i.e. 784 A.D. Dr. H.C. Bhayani gives a detailed list of Jain tradition of Krishna-Katha literature in Prakrit-Apbhramsa, as well as in Sanskrit as under :17
Work
Language 1. Pauma Caryiya Prakrit Not available Prakrit
Not available
Apbhramsa
Author
Theme 1. Vimalsuri
1. Ramayana (1st or 3rd cnetury) 2. Harivansha 2. Viaddha
2. Harivamsha (Vidagdha) 3. Bhadda (Bhadra) Harivamsha 4. Bhaddasa
Krishna (Bhadrasva)
Balachorita
Not available
Sanskrit
Not available
Prakrit
5. Pushpandant
Harivamsha
Uttar Purana
Prakrit
6. Coumuha
Harivamsha Not available Apbhramsa (Chaturmukh) 7. Jinasen (783-84) Harivansha Harivansa Purana Sanskrit 8. Gunabhadra Harivansa Uttar Purana Sanskrit (C-850)
Another Jain scholar Dr. Devendra Kumar Jain also gives a detailed account of Jain-poets, who have written "Harivansha' i.e. the story of Krishna in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Apbhramsa language. 18
(1) Dharmakirti, (2) Shrutakirti, (3) Sakalkirty, (4) Jaisagar, (5) Jinadasa and (6) Mongras wrote epic-poems in Sanskrit named "Harivansha Purana'.
Othe Jain-poets viz.
