Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 4

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

Page 16

Salient Features of Jaina Literature
(A) Importance of Prakrit Literature from Linguistic Point of View:
Linguistically, the Prakrits used by Jaina authors are the dialects pertaining to Middle Indo Aryan group of languages. With the help of the ample literature in AMg., JŚ., JM. and Apa. a linguist can study the minute details of these languages and compare it with the modern Indian languages. We owe a lot to Jaina authors for preserving the necessary data for linguistic studies.
(B) Utility of Jaina Literature in Date-Fixing and Historical Accounts:
In the 14th century, a lot of works on legendary history presented by Jaina authors in works like Prabandhakoșa, Prabhāvakacarita, Vividhatīrthakalpa etc. of course mixed with legends and mythological elements. The stories about Ārya Syāma, Bhadrabāhu, Kālakācārya, Pādalipta, Siddhasena-divākara, Bappabhatti etc. are narrated with important events in the past. With the help of these accounts and by cross checking it with other literature and inscriptions, we can reconstruct the hoary past of India.
Nandisūtra, the later canonical text (5th century A.D.) refers 'Bhāgavata' and 'Bhārata'. These references are useful in fixing the upper limit of Bhāgavata and Bharata. It is very curious that the word 'Bharata' is used and not "Mahābhārata'. It suggests that the third version of Mahābhārata is not still finalised. The references of Krņakathā are found in the AMg. canonical texts like Antagada and Nāyādhammakahā and Rāmakathā is not mentioned. It supports the peculiar opinion of a scholar that Rāmāyaṇa's final version came into vogue even after the final version of Mahābhārata. This issue is of course needs further scrutiny and research.
The thorough study of Jaina literature will throw new light on the history of ruling dynasties like, Cālukya, Solankī, Rāștrakūta, Iloyasal, Kadamba, Andhrabhỉtya, Satavāhana etc. We find the glimpses of Mughal history in the writings of the authors of Kharatara Gaccha and Tapāgaccha.
(C) Contribution of Brahmins to Jaina Literature:
The relationship of Brahmins and Sanskrit language is too close during the whole known history of India. Though all the Tīrthankaras belong to Kștrya clan, this religion got tremendous support of Brahmins, right from Lord Mahāvīra.
The process of conversion from Hinduism to Jainism was continuous up till 16th 17th centuries. Logic-based philosophy, ethics, cosmology, epistemology and spirituality might have attracted Brahmin intellegensia towards Jainism. With the profound background of satric studies and writing skills, these Brahmin authors create huge literature in Sanskrit, specially from 11th to 15th centuries. They handled various subjects mainly philosophy, logic, yoga, grammar, poetics etc. and brought new literary forms like epic, mythology and classical poetry. Authors like Dhanapāla, Hemcandra etc. belonged to Vaisya clan, but they are comparatively much less than Brahmins. These Brahmin authors not only brought new forms of literature but also brought changes in religious rites and rituals. Vidhi, Pūjā, Pratistā and Mantras constitute important part of the religious conduct of Mandiramārgins and Digambaras. Many scholars of Jainism have developed a model to look at these changes