Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 2

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Sanmati Tirth Prakashan Pune

Page 11

Observations on 9th century - Jaina-Literature
* In comparison with the 8th century, more authors are involved in the literary activities of 9th century, but total number of works is less.
* Literature of this century pertains to JŚ, JM., Skt. and Apabhramsa. JŚ. works are only two but they are huge and monumental. Satkhandāgama and Kaşāyaprābhrta are the sourcebooks (ākara-grantha) of Digambara writers. Víasena and Jinasena wrote huge Jaina Sauraseni commentaries on these most revered works in this century. These commentaries attained venerable position due to the important discourses on various philosophical and doctrinal subjects, especially on Karma-doctrine.
* Sanskrit works are ample in number and variety of subjects is notable. Bappabhatti is an important historical personality of this century. His relationship with king Yasovarman of Kānyakubja and Vākpatirāja (Bappairāya) of Gauda-deśa is discussed elaborately by the historians. We can get valuable information about Bappabhatti in Jaina legendary histories.
* Vidyānanda and Anantavīrya continued the tradition of Nyāya works, started by Akalanka in 8th century. Commentary on Tattvārtha is written by Vidyānanda in Nyāya style. In scholarly field, Tattvārthaślokavārtika is much revered. Original and commentarial Sanskrit works on Nyāya written by Vidyānanda is the speciality of this century.
* Sīlānka started a new tradition of writing Ardhamāgadhi Canonical commentaries in Sanskrit. For the better understanding of Ācārānga and Sūtrakstānga, these commentaries are very helpful. Later on, this tradition was continued by Navāngi Tīkākāra Abhayadeva.
* Dhananjaya's Sanskrit lexical works are important and the first of this type.
* Jinasena, the revered Digambara poet wrote on Epic and Samasyāpūrti Kāvya on Meghadūta, titled 'Pūrśvābhyudaya'. He is the pioneer of classical Sanskrit writings in Jaina field. 'Samasyāpūrti' form of literature was imitated by many Śvetāmbara and Digambara writers up to 16th century. In these Jaina works, the mastery of the authors over Sanskrit is obviously seen, but these works lack in originality and creativity of literary forms and subjects.
* Ganitasārasamgraha of Mahāvīrācārya is an often quoted remarkable work of Ganitānuyoga. This work is enumerated among the important works on Mathematics in Indian literature.
* The Sanskrit works of Jinasena, Mahāvīrācārya, Guņabhadra and Śākațāyana (all Dig. writers) were written under the patronage of Rāșțrakūța king-Amoghavarşa. During 9th century Mānyakheța was a prominent centre of literary activity under the reign of Rāstrakūtas.