Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 3

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

Page 18

Observations on 14th century - Jaina-Literature
* Language-wise position of the Jaina works in 14th century is almost the same as that of 13th century.
* JŚ, work is single, JM. works are reasonably good, Skt. works are ample and Apa. works are mostly Sandhis, Rāsas and Fāgas.
* Jinaprabhasūri was the most influential Ācārya of Kharatar Gaccha. He was in close connection with the mughal emperor Muhammad Taghlaq. It is noted in the legendary accounts of Jinaprabha that he exhibited his occult yogic powers time to time and become successful in influencing the emperor. He kept the Jaina samgha intact and gave inspiration to build Jain temples. After having undertaken a long religious tour, he wrote the famous book Vividhatīrthakalpa, the best contemporary tourist guide for Jaina pilgrims. He was very much keen to establish new rites and rituals in Jaina religion. His work Vidhimārgaprapā is the outcome of his efforts in Ritualistics. Jinaprabha possessed equal mastery over JM., Skt. and Apabluariisa.
* It will not be an exaggeration if we call this century as 'a century of legendary histories (Prabandhas)'. Rājasekhara, Merutunga, Prabhācandra and Kakkasūri composed various Prabandhas. They are actually a mixture of legends and historical facts interwoven and presented in beautiful literary manner.
* Jayavallabha's Vajjālagga with Ratnadeva's commentary is a unique anthology of Prakrit Subhāșitas. Though Hāla's Gāthāsaptaśati is very much renowned in the history of Indian literature, Vajjālagga possesses it's own peculiarities. This anthology is carefully arranged by the author with subject-wise division.
* Following the footsteps of Rājasekhara's Karpūramañjari (10th cen. A.D.) Nayacandra wrote the Sattaka, viz. Rambhāmañjarī. Nayacandra was a converted Jaina but the Jaina elements are almost absent in his work. It is very curious that we find a beautiful literary piece of contemporary Marathi in Rambhāmañjari. Nayacandra's another noteworthy work is Hammīramahākāvya.
* Ratnasekharasūri wrote in JM. as well as in Sanskrit. His works are dedicated to ethics, Karaṇānuyoga, narratives, Caritas and eulogies.
* Thakkura Pheru a Svetāmbara Jaina householder was the treasurer of Allauddina Khilji and wrote small treatises in JM. on various technical subjects like metallurgy, numismatic, mathematics, gemology, architecture and astrology. Very few works of this type are found in Jaina literature. Therefore Thakkura Pheru's position is unique.
* Samgītasamayasāra and Samgitopanișat are probably the only works available so far written by Jaina authors which are dedicated to music.