Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

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getting a tooth-ache because of the moon's rays" (72). It matters very little whether they are censured or praised by the low and the inferior. Their condemnation, therefore, does not in the least depress them" ( 73 ). "Most people, in general, have a low or average level of intelligence and, therefore, they acclaim poets of a mediocre calibre, whom they easily understand and appreciate and who thus become undeservedly famous (75). "While ordinary poets have to make a frantic search for topics, great poets have no difficulty in this respect, because themes themselves rush to their hearts (86). "Talking in praise of the Prakrit language, the Poet observes, "It is only in Prakrit that we have, in an abundant measure, a presentation of ever fresh themes and a rich variety of styles (92). For those who have remained ignorant of the excellent features of the Prakrit, we only have pity, but no sad feelings" (95). "All languages merge in Prakrit and emerge from the same. Waters flow into the ocean and flow away from it " (93). "My heart (as I start to write this Poem) is somehow apprehensive, embarrassed, benumbed, exhausted, distressed, overwhelmed and yet elevated with elation (98).
The Poem begins :
"Rules there the Lord of Earth, King Śrī Yasovarman (Jasavammo) who, having removed all sin from the whole world, delighted great Indra and the fame of his virtues reached the ends of directions" (99). Thus does the Poet begin, in a subservient attitude of a dependent towards his patron-monarch. He believes, as people of those days did, that the king is an incarnation of Visnu and accordingly in his glorification of him, he deifies him, identifying him with Visnu or his incarnation of Child
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