Jain Journal 1986 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 11

Nayacandra Suri—A Literary Profile
SATYAVRATA
Though not a challenging match to stalwarts like Magha and Sriharsa, Nayacandra Suri, the celebrated author of Hammira-mahākāvya (HM)' emerges as one of the robust and colourful personalities in the vast domain of profane literature. Best known as a poet and historiographer of considerable merit, he represents an interesting amalgam of a political scientist, poetician, grammarian, erotist and Vedist all rolled to result in an integrated entity that gives him a place of pride on the Jainistic tradition. The HM illustrates his multiple capabilities in ample measure and thereby serves to bring into relief the various facets of his literary achievements.
Nayacandra was well-grounded in the art and science of statecraft. However, unlike Magha his perception of politics does not degenerate into the oretic or academic pedantry. He doubtless refers to such stock terminology as three powers (taktis) that form the summum bonum of regal glory, four expedients (upāyas) and six means (gunas) ;? politics as visualised and formulated by him, is intended to serve as an unfailing guide to the new ruler in the frustrating task of governance.
As a man of ethos, Nayacandra views politics as an emanation of the moral aptitude of the ruler. While nobility of conduct evokes spontaneous respect, its debasement spells doom. Nayacandra cautions the young ruler against excessive addiction to carnal pleasures. Woman whether attached or detached, is invariably a serious distraction that tends to sap the reservoir of royal power. In obedience to the tradition he advocates the use of expedients but is at pains to emphasize their employment with uncanny circumspection. Danda, he wisely opines is to be resorted to after all other expedients are successively exhausted.3 Nayacandra appears to uphold imperialistic tendencies in projecting ‘ekachatra rajya' as his ideal. To him a hostile chieftain, antagonistic to the royal power is not different from a poison-tree that has to be struck down to escape its baneful consequences. Valour is the most potent weapon in the armoury of the king. But, as a practical thinker
1 Ed by Muni Jinavijaya, Jodhpur, 1968. * HM, I.103, II. 1, 10, IX. 10. • Ibid., VIII. 73-78.