Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 27

Depiction of Nature in Prakrit Literature
Dr. K. Kamala, Osmania University, India
Philosophy and literature appear to have a common; the poet trying to clothe his philosophy of life in beautiful and rhythmic words. A perfect blend of word thus creates five literature. The greater the poet, more sublime his thoughts tend to be. Indian thinkers call a poet a true ascetic - a visionary and he, who is not a sage is not a poet. When prestine thought comes from the fountain of such a visionary's intellect, they create a link between human nature and external nature consisting of five gross elements. A true poet worthy of his salt has always tried to sing the glory of nature. 'Nature is beautiful and majestic, nature is minute and soft and nature is gigantic and frightening.
In this background Prakrit literature developed invoking mature. prakriti means nature and Prakrit writings devoted to the description of human nature in its rural background became Prakrit literature. By describing the fauna and flora in their natural enviorn and the majestic sea. the poet has established the truth that man is a child, and a part of the nature or environment. He owes his existence to not only to the earth but also to the atmospheric intermediaries.
Man has a right to exist on the planet earth along with other creatures. Therefore it is the duty of man in his the capacity to control nature and to maintain a balance among all. He has no right to encroach upon animal liberty and destroy their habitat. Indian life and literature like any other literature depict the interaction of man with his his own.
The presentation alludes to a few descriptions of nature prakriti in Prakrita literature. Sanskrit literature describes Himalayas largely while Prakrit literature which grew in Madhyadesa mostly has described Vindhya ranges and the surrounding thick jungles.
'The Vindhyas pierce into the clouds in the sky and often, the clear cloud is compared as though it appears as if the Vindhya is
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