Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 2

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

Page 22

* Prabhacandra, the Digambara logician was a follower of Manikyanandi. The actual Pramana-yuga started from Prabhacandra's works on Logic. Though he is famous as a commentator, he acquired an important position in Indian logic and philosophy. He also wrote commentaries on the works dedicated to grammar, ethics and Yoga. * $ubhacandra's Jnanarnava attained an esteemed position in the history of Skt. literature. Jnanarnava is an encyclopedic work on Jaina philosophy, ethics and Yoga. * There are two Jinesvaras in the 11th century, both belonging to Kharatara Gaccha. The first one wrote Prakaranas and the second one was a logician. * Mallisena's ritualistic works dedicated to various deities are very peculiar of this century. It seems that in this century, Jaina's religious practices took new mode in deity-worship. * Nayanandi wrote Sakalavidhividhanakatha in Apabhramsa. In the later period Digambara Bhattarakas started their writings on various rituals, mantras and pajas. * Namisadhu wrote commentary on Rudrata's Kavyalankara. Namisadhu had given a naive etymology of the word 'Praksta' (see Introduction: Paiyasaddamahannavo p.24) * Krsnamisra's Prabhodhacandrodaya is the first Skt. drama written by a Jaina writer. * Mahesvarasuri's Jnanapancamikatha strated the tradition of Vratakathas in Jaina literature. * In short, we may conclude that Digambara authors viz. Nemicandra (Siddhantacakravartin), Amitagati and Prabhacandra are very active in this century. Among Svetambara authors, Abhayadeva and Nemicandra (Devendragaoi) had left distinctive marks on this century. The literary activities of Kharatara Gaccha started from this century and lasted up to the 18th century. *************************************************************************************************************