________________
152 1
Jaina Granths Bhandars in Rajasthan.
CARITA LITERATURE IN HINDI
There are several works on Carita Literature written in Hindi and which are available in the Grantha Bhandais of Rajasthan. They describe the lives of great persons. These works are just like Kavyas in Samskrit and Apabhramśa.
Jambu Swami Carita seems to be the first work which was composed by the poet. Dharma in the year 1209 AD. It is preserved in Abhaya Granthalaya,
Bikaner.
Jinadatta Carita' is another work in Hindi which was composed in the year 1297 A.D., by the poet Ralha o Raja Singh. The work describes the life of Jinadatta in 554 stanzas. Only one manuscript has been discovered so far which is kept in the Săstra Bhandar of Jaina temple, Patodi, Jaipur. Neminatha Caupai was written by Vinaya Candra Suri some where between 1296 to 1301. This is a short work on the life of Neminatha written in Caupai metre.
Pradyumna Carita was composed by the poet Sadharu in Samvat 1411 (year 1354 A.D.) This is regarded as one of the first works of Braj Bhasa in 701 stanzas. It is a kind of Sapta Sati. Pande Jinadasa wrote Jambu Swami Carita' in 1587 A.D. It is is a very good work which describes the life of Jambu Swami.
Rămcandra who is famous by the name of 'Balaka' is the author of Sita Carita. It is a big work written in Hindi poem and was completed in the year 1716 A.D. Lakhamıḍāsa and Khuśāla Canda Kala wrote Yasodhar Carita in the year 1724 A.D. Both the works have been found in the Sastra Bhandar of Jain Terapanthi Baḍā Mandir. Khuśāla Canda Kālā also wrote Dhanya Kumar Caritas and Jambu Swami Carita. Parimall was a Hindi writer of 17th century. He composed Sripala Carita'. Cetanakarma Carita was written by Bhaiya Bhagwatidāsa of Agra in the year 1675 A.D. It is an interesting work. Kisana Singh wrote Bhadrabahu Carita in the year 1723 A.D. It describes the life of Bhadra Bahu, the last Śrutakevali.
1. Published by Digambar Jain Atisaya Kšetra Mahavirji, Jaipur.
2. Sastra Bhandar Khandelwal Pancãyatı Mandir, Kāmā (Raj.)
3 Amer Sastra Bhandar, Jaipur.
4 to 8. Ibid.
9. Sastra Bhandar, Digambara Jain Terapanthi Mandir, Jaipur.
