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The Epics and the Jaina Puranas
as the Itihasa-Purānas, Bhāravi, Bhāsa, Vyāsa,64 Kālidāsa, Kohala, Caturmukha, Svayambhu, Harsa, Drona, Isāna and Bāna. In the opinion of the poet a thorough study of the works of the above authors was indispensable for a prospective poet Although the celebrated names find mention in a somewhat peculiar way, for, the author declares his ignorance regarding the compositions of the abovementioned writers, yet the declaration may logically be taken as an instance of showing modesty in a conventional manner. Hence the statement must be accepted as suggestive of Puspadanta's fair acquaintance with the classics of the above literary luminaries.
However, the sense of spontaneous acknowledgement of Vyasa's importance later gives way to sectarian prejudices against the immortal poet, for, in the introductory part of his version of the Rama story Puspadanta betrays the same reaction against Vyasa as is found in other Jaina works There the poet makes both Valmiki and Vyāsa05 principal targets of his attack for deluding people with their (false) teachings
In
Although not indulging in giving the Jina hundred and eight or a thousand and eight names, Puspadanta in no way lags behind Jinasena in arrogating to the first Jina all the popular epic-Puranic names and epithets of the Brahmanical trio a fervent devotional laud of the first Jina put in the mouth of Indra, the Jina is called Swa bereft of all his popular emblems and associates, the skeleton, Trisula (trident), human skull, serpents and woman " Besides, the Jina is addressed as Bhima,
64. गउ पीयइ पायजल जलाइ इहास पुराणइ गिम्मलाइ । maiga urefa #ıg arg sigg sinafız sıfaury i चउमुहु सयभु सिरि हरिसु दोगु गालोइउ कई ईमार वार
29
65
वम्मीय1-a1a-aufufe ufse yourų gampfa qf33 1
-PMP, 1 9 3-5
60 जय ककाल - सूल - नरकदल विसह विलय विरहिया । जय भगवत सत मिव सकिव...
-Ibid, LXIX 311
11
...
PMP X 51 cf MBh 3 173 43, 14 8 24, 27, H 3 85 11-23
