________________
164
SOURCES
Gujarati script in the second part of a commemoration volume (Pp. 50-51) released on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Sri Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya. The basis of this story is to be found in two carlier works entitled Sumatinath Charitra and Jayananda Charitra. Jayananda Charitra is a poetical work in Sanskrit in 9 cantos by Acharya Munisundara Suri of the Tapogaccha sect which in its turn has been taken from a Prakrit work entitled Sumatinath Charitra by Sri Somaprabhacharya who lived in the 12th century V. S. It is written therein that some Acharya while revealing the previous birth of a Vidyadhara had stated that in their previous lives, they (1 e, the Acharaya and the Vidyadhara)were Madana and Dhanadeva. This proves that the story is very old and was current even before the 12th century V. S
Lalitangakumar-The story finds a place in Amamasvami Charitra by Muniratna Suri (V. S 1252)
Uttamkumar-The story has many versions, the first one being due to Jinakırtı and the second one to Samamandana Gani. Both belonged to the last decade of the 15th century V. S Another version by Subhasila Gani is also available In the 16th century V S, Charuchandra reproduced it in 686 slokas. His language is lucid, but at places, he has included poems from elsewhere and also matters not strictly relevant. The story is also available in Sanskrit prose Its great popularity is established by the fact that in 1884, Dr. Weber edited, translated and published it in German,
Seth Akalasa-Unlike the story of Madana and Dhanadeva, the present story is more religious and nearerto-life in its content than being merely popular.
Bankachula-It is the fourth story in the Kama-Kumbhadı Katha Sangraha.
Ambika-Ambika was the guiding female deity during the spiritual regime of Arhat Aristanemi who was the 22nd Tirthankara of the Jainas. Hence she has figured at many places in the life-story of this Tirthankara. This has been noted by Acarya Hemachandra in his monumental work and also in several Puranas and epics Several hymns are dedicated to her. In the Jaina tradition, this goddess occupies a very respectable place along with others, such as, Chakresvari and Padmavati.
