International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

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giri Rasa which describes historical importance of Revantigira Tirtha. Asagu, another poet composed Chandanabala Rasa in the year 1257 A. D.
In the end of 13th Century Rajsingh composed Jinadatta Charita. The work describes the life of a Jaina Shravaka Jindatta who was the son of a rich man. It contains 553 stanzas. The main metre of the work is Chaupai, but metres like Doha and Vastu Bandha have also been used.
In the 14th Century Ambadeva Suri enriched the Rajasthani literature by writing Samara Rasa, an important work, from literary as well as historical point of view. In Samvata 1410 Shalibhadra Suri composed Pancha Pandva Rasa on the request of Deva Chandra. After two years, Upadhyaya Vin aya Prabha wrote Gautama Rasa which remained very popular in Rajasthan for several centuries. It describes the life of Gautama Ganadhara, the main disciple of Lord Mahavira in a very lucid way. Delhia, in the year 1314 A. D. composed Chaubisi Gita. It contains 26 verses, written in the praise of Twenty Four Tirthankaras.
In the 15th Century Bagada Pradesha, mainly the area of Dungarpur, Banswara and Pratapgarh states, also became the centre for Rajasthani literature and Digambara Bhattarakas began to write. Bhattaraka Sakala Kirti and his disciple Brahma Jindasa were the main poets who enriched the Rajasthani literature. Rama Sita Ras is his biggest work which is a Jaina Ramayana, Yashodhara Rasa, Hanumata Rasa, Naga Kumar Rasa, Holi Rasa, Ajitnatha Rasa, Shrenika Rasa, Jambusvami Rasa, Bhavisyadatta Rasa, Jivandhara Rasa, Paramahansa Rasa, Karkandu Rasa, Dhanya Kumara Rasa are some of his important works. Adinatha Purana and Harivansa Purana are his narrative works. Brahma Jinadasa was a very popular Rajasthani poet. His works are available in most of the Grantha Bhandars of Rajasthan. The language of his work is most simple and easily understandable. Padma Nabha was also a Rajasthani Poet belonging to Chittor. He composed a Bavani dealing with various topics. Bavani was completed in the year 1486 A. D. The whole Bavani is in Chappaya metre. Some of the verses are of high standard composed in a strong and good literary style.
Chhihala was a Rajasthani poet of 16th century. His seven small works have so far been searched out in Rajasthan Bhandars. Pancha Saheli Gita, Panthi Gita, Bavani, Laghuveli are his main works. His Pancha Saheli Gita remained most popular. Dr. Ram Kumar Verma and Dr. Shiva Prasad Singh described this work as one of the lucid works of Rajasthani literature.
Thakkursi was another Rajasthani scholar of this century. In most of his works he quotes himself as the son of the poet Delha. There are 15 works so far found out in various Bhandars out of which Parsvanatha Shakuna Sattavisi; (2) Kripana Chhanda; (3) Panchendriya Veli (4) Nemi Rajmati Veli; (5) Shila Gita are some of them. He completed Panchendriya Veli in the year 1528 A. D. Voocharaj, another poet of this century, is also regarded as a great Rajasthani poet,
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