Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 3

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

Page 12

Observations on 13th century - Jaina-Literature
* The single JŚ. work of this century is dedicated to monastic conduct.
* JM. works are ample in this century but they are mostly Caritas, narratives and Prakaraņas.
* Devendrasūri produced ample works in which eulogies and ritualistic works prevail. His Navya Kamagranthas are noteworthy from the philosophical point of view.
* Nemicandragani presented the abridged version of Padalipta's Tarangavaikahā in Jaina Mahārāștri.
* Skt. literature written by both sects in this century is enormous. Variety of subjects and literary forms is noteworthy.
* Amaracandra's copious works on poetics are found but they are not published up till HOW.
* Amộtacandra wrote commentaries on the important works of Kundakunda. Though the commentaries on the same works of Jayasena are found in 10th century, Amstacandra's commentaries are more remarkable and honoured. His Puruşārthasiddhyupāya attained revered position specially among Digambara tradition.
* Āsādhara wrote on various subjects. His works are dedicated to religious conduct, legendary history, logic, ritualistics and philosophy (spiritual). His Sāgāradharmāmộta is a landmark treatise on Śrāvakācāra. His commentary on Bhagavati Ārādhanā under lines the importance of this ancient work very effectively.
* Durlabharāja and Hamsadeva produced scientific and technical works concerned to animals and birds.
* Lagusamantabhadra, Mallisena and Vādirājasūri are the famous Jaina logicians of this century. Mallisena's Syādvādamañjari and Vādirājasūris Pramāṇanirnaya attained noteworthy position in Indian logic.
* Hastimalla produced several types of dramas with the royal support of Pāņdya King in this century. He was a Digambara householder. He wrote Adipurāņa and Śrīpurāņa in Kannada language. Rāmabhadra, Vijayapāla, Yaśaḥpāla and Meghaprabhācārya are other Skt. dramatists of this century.
* Apa. literature of this century is mostly biographical. Sandhis, Rāsas and Fāgas are ample and their language is designated as old Gujarātī and Rājasthanī.