Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 4

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

Page 11

Observations on 18th century - Jaina-Literature
* In 18th century, JM. works are very few and they are written by Yaśovijaya and Jinavijaya, both belonging to Tapāgaccha.
* Sanskrit works are ample and are mostly written by Yaśovijaya pertaining to logic. In fact, Yaśovijaya of 18th century was the last great Jaina logician. He studied Navya Nyāya and gave a new style to Jaina logic. His main works are on Naya and Anekāntavāda. His Jainatarkabhāṣā is very popular and Jñānabindu is honoured in academic field of Nyāya.
Yasovijaya's originality of thought and style of presentation is so unique that he has attained unparallel position in the field of Navya Nyāya in the scenario of whole Indian logic. After him, the growth and progress of Jaina logic is almost stopped. Besides Nyāya, his works on philosophy, Yoga and Karma are also important.
* In 18th century, Jinavijaya composed various Rāsas. The language of Rāsas is noted down as Apabhramsa, but more precisely, we should call it old Gujrati. The only region where Apa. works were written without break is Gujrat and Rajsthian i.e. Western India. It is almost impossible to separate the Apa. works from those written in early Gujrati and Western Rajsthani. Rāsa and Phāga really belong to the earliest New Indo Aryan languages. The old Gujrati is seen in various Bālāvabodhas, Tabbās and Avacūris from 17th18th century onwards.
* The oldest Jaina literature written in modern Indian regional languages is seen in Kannad from 10th century onwards. History of Jaina Marathi literature starts from 15th century. Almost the same position is found about other modern languages.
* In this brief survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit literature, various Prakrits, Sanskrit and Apabhrmsa languages are covered. The streams and currents of modern Indian languages are flowing parallel to this literature from 10th century onwards. This literature is not covered in this brief survey. The independent histories on this literature are written by different scholars of Jainology in last few decades. Curious readers can go through these books for detailed information.
Yaśovijaya's gigantic contribution to Jaina Sanskrit literature is the last phase of this brief sketch of Jaina literature.
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