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214
COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF JAINISM
are also from the Byhatkathā tradition, as for example, the story of Gandharvadattāts. Some historical personages like Candragupta, Bindusāra, Asoka, Kuņāla and Samprati are mentioned in the eleventh chapter*%, o this book. The author has also mentioned, in this connexion, the story of the blinding of Kuņāla, which is also known from other sources, King Samprati has been represented as a Jain convert and as the disciple of Arya Suhastin *8. Several other stories from the Jain Àgamic texts, and also the commentaries of Jinadāsa and others have been incorporated in this book, We have also a great deal of information on contemporary life and society.
A great deal of geographical information is also available from the Vștti ; however most of the janapadas and the cities, mentioned by the author, are otherwise known. Even the references to ports and countries outside India, are known for other texts (both Hindu and Jain)"?. The description of Ujjayini as a great cultural and commercial centre of Northern India 8, is also quite useful. However the description of Rājagsha*, appears to be conventional. The description of the marriage ceremony of Nala and Damayantiso, throws a flood of light on that important social custom in the mediaeval period, in Gujarat. The dināraba, coin is mentioned, along with suvarņas 2. Several types of festivals like Ratha-yātrāks, Indra-festivals, Madana festival56, Kaumudi Mahotsva 56, festival of lights 67 etc. are also mentioned. The work also throws a flood of light on Art, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music and other related things 8. We have also references to temples, dedicated to Candikā5o. The worship of the goddess Cāmundā&o, the most terrible aspect of Durgā, was also quite popular.
Two other works of Nemicandra are also known ; they are Ratnacūďarājacarita and Mahāvīracarita, both written in Prakrit. The date of the Ratnacūďarājacarita 1, (Prakrit Rayaņacūďarāyacariya) is not known, but we have two dates of this author, one from AMK and the other from the
