Gaudavaho

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

Page 78

( lxi) In the Introduction of the Subhāşita-Ratnākara, Kosambi and Gokhale say : “ Vākpatirāja is generally taken as son of Harşadeva and author of Gaudavaho and court Poet of Yasovarman. He is highly praised by Yogeśvara, who appears to be a Păla court poet, best appreciated for his verses on country scenes. He himself praises Bhavabhūti, Bāna, Kamalāyudha, Kesata and Vākpatirāja, which may be the chronological order. The verse is as follows:
उन्नीतो भवभूतिना प्रतिदिनं बाणे गते यः पुरा यश्चीर्णः कमलायुधेन सुचिरं येनागमत् केशटः। यः श्रीवाक्पतिराजपादरजसां संपर्कपूतश्चिरं दिष्टया श्लाध्यगुणस्य कस्यचिदसौ मार्गः समुन्मीलति ॥
No. 1733-P. 298
These anthologies also contain many stray verses ascribed to Vākptirāja.29 Jain Sources :
Mention of Vākpatirăja with reference to his association with Bappabhatti-Sūri and Ama, the son of Yašovarinan, is to be found in some Jain works. They are :-- Bappabhatti-Sūri-carita, which gives an account of the life of Bappabhatti, mentions the following details30 regarding Vākpatirāja :
(i) Vākpati, a great poet, born in the royal family of Paramāras (Powars), was present during the discussions that took place at Lakşanāvati between Bappabhatti-Sūri on the side of king Ama and the Buddhist scholar Vardhanakuñjara, sponsored by king Dharma. Vākpati,
29. See Appendix. 30. Pandit-Gaüqavaho-Introduction, Pp. cxxxviii to cxLi.