Devindatthao Devendrastava

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 30

PREFACE XXIX
310th verse, the author has called himself as Rsipalita, the composer of Devendrastava, a eulogy of Lord Mahāvīra.' The Mūlācāra refers to it as ‘Thudi (Stuti or eulogy) only. Although there is a detailed description of the heavenly kings in this composition, there is not a single verse in this work where they have been eulogised or prayed to. Hence, while interpreting Devendrastava it must be borne in mind that it is not a eulogy of the heavenly kings but a eulogy of the Lord by them. If it is to be considered as a eulogy of the heavenly kings it is so only in the descriptive form.
The Author Of Devendrastava -
The name of Ķsipālita is clearly available as the author of Devendrastava. In the very beginning of this Prakīrnaka edited by Muni Śrī Punyavijayajī and published by Mahāvīra Jaina Vidyā laya, Mumbai (As a part of Painnayasuttāim), there is a clear mention that this Prakīrņaka is a composition by 'Sthavira Rsipālita'2 Not only this, in verses 309 and 310 of its text also twice there is a clear mention, as follows, of the fact that it is a composition by Rsipālita :
a. "Isivāliyamaimahiyā karenti Jinavarānam/"
b. “Isivāliyassa bhaddam suravarathayakārassa vīrassa /” Herein Rsipālita has been clearly mentioned as the eulogist (one offering eulogy). Hence, on the basis of these external as well as internal eviendences, it is proven that Rsipālita is the author of this work. Although Dr. Jagadeesh Candra Jain in his 'Prākrta Sāhitya Kā Itihāsa' and Ācārya Devendramuni Śāstri in his ‘Jaina Āgama Sāhitya : Manana Aur Mīmāmsa' have mentioned
“Suraganaaiddhi samaggā savvaddāpiņdiyā aṇantaguņā| Na vi pāve Jiņaiddhim ņantehim vaggavaggūhim || 307 ||” “Sirilsivālivatheraviraio”
- Devendrastava, Verse 307.
2