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Observations on 8th century - Jaina-Literature
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Variety of subjects, languages and literary forms is remarkable in 8th century.
Jaina authors wrote on various subjects like Philosophy, Karma, Yoga, Grammar, Metrics, Legendary history, Religious conduct, Hymns, Astrology, Karaṇānuyoga, Canonical commentaries etc. They chose suitable literary forms according to the subjects.
We find the 8th century-Jaina-literature in four languages viz. JŚ., JM., Skt. and Apabhramsa. Jaina Sauraseni and Apa. works are less than JM. and Sanskrit. JŚ. literature is less because Digambara Jaina authors prefer Sanskrit for their literary activities than Jaina Śaurasenī. Apabhramsa works are less because it is the starting period of Apa. era.
Two Digambara works retained the tendency of doctrinal and philosophical writings in Jaina Sauraseni.
Akalanka (Dig.) and Haribhadra (Šve.) wrote Nyāya works in Sanskrit. Akalanka is the first and foremost Jaina logician who started the systematic discussion of Pramāņas. In the true sense he is the 'Father of Jaina Logic.' He refuted the views of Dharmakirti who was a famous Buddhist logician.
Haribhadra lived just after Akalanka. Haribhadra was an all-rounder genius. He had equal proficiency over Sanskrit and Prakrits. Basically being a Brahmin, his contribution to Jaina Literature is unparallel. His impartial attitude and love for learning without any sectarian bias has brought him a good name in Jaina and non-Jaina circles. In his Nyāya works, Haribhadra's stress is more on Anekāntavāda. He wrote a commentary on the work of Dinnāga, who was a famous Buddhist logician.
Uddyotanasūri's Kuvalayamālā, traditionally known as a Campūkāvya is an encyclopedic lucid narrative full of historical, geographical, religious and cultural data. He mentions Haribhadra as his Guru. Kuvalayamālā is the excellent literacy masterpiece of this century.
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The commentarial work on Tattvārtha is continued in this century.
Aparājitasūri wrote the first Sanskrit commentary on Digambara text Bhagavati Ārādhanā. The Sanskrit commentaries on Kundakunda were written in later centuries. This fact indicates the antiquity of Bhagavati Arādhanā than Kundakunda.
Apabhramsa era starts from Svayambhū's Paumacariu and Rittnemicariu the tradition of Apa. Caritas is continued up to 17th century. Apabhramśa Caritas are composed mostly by Digambara authors of Southern India.
