Jain Thought and Culture

Author(s): G C Pandey
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 75

Some Aspects of Medieval Jain Historical Literature and Historiography
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This kind of trend becomes more forceful through popular languages in the medieval centuries Samaya Sunder's Simhalsut (VS 1672), Valkalchiri (VS 168 1) and Champakseth Katha (VS 1695) which are the collections of fictitious stories and anecdotes are illustrative of the virtues, vices and calamities of mankind 28 They are very useful in understanding the prevailing opinions of contemporaries, through examples of common experience The story of the sea-voyage recorded in the Simhalsut29 appears to bring home the reality of social behaviours of the two parties sin and piety Olher stories are similarly devoted to the illustrations of some mental or intellectual quality expected in the 16th century society Similarly, Hemratan, the writer of the Gorabadal30 VS 1645 and Jatmal the writer of Gorabadal Chopai (V S 1680) chose the theme of Padmini and propagated among the people the value of ideal womanhood and Swamidharma The same theme was developed by Labhdodaya in his Pad mini Chantra31 (VS 1706) He by no means includes in this work, the whole series of social set up of the 17th century
28 29
Samayasunder Rasa Panchaka, Introduction, pp 24 Samayasundar, Rasa panchaka, Introduction, pp 24 Sarvagatha, 196, Abhayajain Granthavalı, No 4318, 89 Nagarpracharni patnika, year 4th, No 8 Padmini Charitra, vv 1-11 Vy 15, vy 7 12, 15, vy 1-5, vv 15, etc.
30 31