Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 2

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

Page 21

Observations on 11th century - Jaina-Literature
* 11th century - Jaina-literature pertains to JŚ., JM., Skt. and Apabhraṁsa. JŚ and Apa. works are comparatively less. JS works are dedicated to philosophical subjects, while Apa. works are mostly biographies and narratives. Svetāmbara authors continued their JM. writings enthusiastically. The number of Skt. works is very high due to the contribution of both sects, viz. Svetāmbara and Digambara. The variety of subjects found in Skt. works is remarkable.
* After a lull of 200 years, Digambara authors wrote valuable treatises in JŚ. pertaining to Philosophy and Cosmology. Digambara sect prospered in 11th and 12th century in Karnatak with the royal support of Ganga dynasty. Cāmundarāya, the chief minister of King Rācamalla (4th) took initiative in creating and consecrating the famous statute of Bāhubali Gomateśvara at Sravanabelagola in Karnatak. The first Marathi inscription is found at the foot of this statue. With the full royal support, Nemicandra (Siddhānta-cakravartin) wrote his important Philosophical works in Jaina Sauraseni. Cāmundarāya wrote a Vrtti on Gommațasāra in Kannada language. This Vilti is enumerated among one of the oldest Kannada texts.
* JM. works of 11th century mostly contain Caritas, Narratives and Prakaraņas. Philosophical works and works dedicated to Logic are almost none in Jaina Mahārāstrī.
* Svetāmbara and Digambara writers prepared the collections of Didactic Narratives in JM., Skt. and Apabhramśa.
* Prabhācandra's Ārādhanā-kathākoşa (Skt.) and Śrīcandra's Kahakosu (Apa.) were based on the stories related to Bliagavatī Ārādliană, following the footsteps of Skt. Bịhatkatlākoșa of Harişena written in the 10th century.
* Abhayadeva is a versatile literary personality of 11th century. He belongs to Kharatara Gaccha. He is very famous as 'Navāngi Tīkākāra'. Sīlānka wrote commentaries on Acārānga and Sūtrakstānga. Abhayadeva wrote commentaries on nine Anga canons and one Upānga viz. Aupapātika. Malayagiri continued Abhayadeva's tradition in the 12th century by writing commentaries on all Upāngas. Abhayadeva also wrote commentaries on the works dedicated to logic, ethics and philosophy.
* Two famous commentaries on Uttarādhyayana are written in this century. Sāntyācārya's Skt. commentary is very useful for understanding the text. Nemicandra's (Devendra's) "Sukhabodha' is distinct and popular due to various narratives written in Jaina Mahārāștrī.
* Amitagati, the well-known Digambara author wrote on Householders and Monastic conduct, Rituals, Karma theory, Yoga, Satirical work and prepared an Anthology in Sanskrit.