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COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF JAINISM
written by the Jain writers on this auspicious date. Maheś. vara, it appears, was an accomplished poet and some of his descriptions show that he was capable of describing, in poetical language, everything beautiful and attractive. We refer, in this connexion, to bis description 18 of the Kuru janapada. He was also a man of liberal outlook and his attitude towards woman, in general, proves his deference and concern for them.19 He also bad a keen sense of humour and his descriptions of sexual behaviour of men and women proves his knowledge of the character of human beings. Frequent references to places like Bhțgukacchao, Girinagara21 and Śūrpāraka82, prove his intimate knowledge of the geography of Western India. Elsewhere he has mentioned places like Takshasilās, Kāmpilya 2*, Kāñcies, Simhala 26, Kusumapura?" (Patna) etc.
Another important literary work of the 11th century is the Surasundaricari ya 28, written by Dhaneśvara in V.S. 1095. He was the pupil of Jineśvara I, the author of the celebrated Kathākosha, discussed above. The work was written, according to the Praśasti at Candrāvati. It is actually the lovestory of a Vidyadhara prince in 4000. Prakrit verses, divided into sixteen chapters. The heroine, Surasundari, the princess of Kuśågra pura, is represented as falling in love with Makaraketu, the prince of Hastinapura, although the name of that princess appears, for the first time, in the eleventh chapter of this work. Dhaneśvara, it appears, had a good knowledge of the science of Love and the descriptions of some of his love-scenes are quite readable. He has also described, in poetical language, the spring-time, Madana festival, the setting sup and also the rain y-seasion. Like many mediaeval Jain works, there are passages on the Bhjlas and śavaras. The work also throws light on the mediaeval Indian sea-trade and acquaints us with the items of export. Sometimes we come across passages, which are essentially misogynistic in nature. A few other works on Surasundari are also known. 39
