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379991 R
15-16
from those of "Ramayana', "Mahabharat' and "Harivansh Purana' or other "Puranas' of Hindu-tradition. But, because the original source of Krishna-Katha is undoubtedly the "Mahabharat', the Jain Poets could not change the basic character of Krishna.
Basically Mahakavi Swayambhu Dev has painted the character of Krishna as a "Supernatural Power' having highly divine virtues to protect the common man from evils and sin, side-by-side to destory the wicked elements which make mankind suffer in this world. In his famous epic poem "Rithanemi Chariu', Swayambhu Dev goes to paint a very dynamic character of Krishna and also of Balram, his brother.
We find three fold character of Krishna in Jain literature, which includes (1) Childhood actions called the ""Bal-leela", (2) Political advisor of "Pandavas' especially of "Arjun', the beloved friend as well as devotee of Krishna and (3) Diplomatic wisdom of Krishna. Surprisingly, the Jain poets did not touch the actions of Krishna's young age i.e. his love with Radha and other Gopikas of Gokul and also ""Rass-Leela", which has been a prime attraction of KrishnaKatha to the Hindus.
I would like to elaborate these three folds of the Krishna's character here giving examples from the epic poem of Mahakavi Swayambu Dev. (1) Childhood Action i.e. "Bal-Leela' of Krishna
As I have already explained, Jain poets are of the view that Krishna was born on 12th day of "Bhadra' month in "Bright half i.e. "Shukla Pakasha' and not on the 8th day of "Dark half of the same month. Also, they are of the opinion that Krishna was the "Seventh' son of Devaki, and not the "Eighth' as said in Mahabharat and other Hindu-Puranas.
Still, some popular episodes of Krishna's childhood have been depicted by the Jain poet Swayambhu Dev, nearly same as we find them in "Harivansha' or "Bhagwat Purana', which clearly shows the impact of Hindu-Krishna-Katha on Swayambhu Dev.
But, Swayambhu Dev in his "Rithanemi Chariu' calls "Kamsa', the ruler of Mathura, as a "disciple' of Vasudev who gave his sister "Devaki' to Vasudev as "Guru-Dakshina'.
