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The Date of Kundakundācārya
the Svetambara canon,-and a parallel verse in the Paumacariya of Vimala Suri of Nagendra kula (e. A. D. 478 ) also figures in Kundakundacārya's Pravacanasara". The Svetambara agamas and agamic works are of course completely ignorant of Kundakundacārya's works; it is then clear that Kundakundācārya borrowed the selfsame verse and several others either through some Yapanfya intermediary or perhaps in a few cases directly. (Unfortunately, nobody has attempted to pursue the line of research Pt. Malvania had opened). Therefore, the results of the linguistic analysis without the proper sifting of data in Kundakundācārya's works, can be misleading and now so proven, possesses little determinative value for the pontiff's date. At any rate, a few relatively early-seeming (quoted) verses in Kundakundācārya's works at best compare with the third period (approximately late Kusana and post-Kusana). Svetämbara ägamas and agamie works. From the standpoint of language, even when some earlier word-forms and phraseology occasionally are discernible in Kundakundäcārya's works, this factor has to be thoroughly tested against other. evidence. My own experience is that the later talented Jaina writers sometimes. emulated (or unconsciously picked up) relatively earlier Prākṛta of the cononical brand, since they were well-versed and much too familiar with that kind of traditional writing. For instance, some of Haribhadra Süri's works, or parts thereof, from language standpoint, do possess an early look, as to some extent also does the imposter Mahānikithasutra (c, 8th cent. A. D. ). Where Kundakundacārya's real period revealed is the later Präkṛta Aryas which he consistently uses, often the more modern style in composition he adopts, and the typical formal cadence he builds. Also the inaugural mangala verses of his famous works are in a form, style, phraseology, predilections metwith and mood noticeable only from the seventh eentury. onward. These factors, viewed alongside his highly advanced thought-constructs, fresh concepts, new epistemological positions, novel approaches to and new interpretations, as well as fresh application of old knowledge, and the concomitant or relevant terminological jargon (which oftener is far ahead of the canonical literature ), clearly indicate that he cannot be an early author, as has been persistently, even obstinately, claimed to be.""
5. Keeping those latter facts and criteria (mentioned in Haribhadra Süri's case) in view in the analysis of Kundakundācārya's works, the period-perspective that takes shape considerably differs from what Upadhye and other proponents taking his line and following his intent had conjunctured, even conjured up.
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Kundakundācārya's style of writing, excepting where he adopts the traditional mould or has Ardhamägadhr (and Saurasen?) quotes, is in effect far advanced compared to any exhibited in the available early nirgrantha writings in Ardhamāgadhi and other Präkṛrtas. His own verses in his works show powerful articulations and strong directness and acuity combined with subtleties, precision and mystical power but reflect no archaisms nor is there any resort to cleverness, puns, deliberate
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