Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

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

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was burnt, not only the Prakrit literature but also Kannada lost a great patron. Prakrit in particular has to flee from the palace to seek its shelter elsewhere in gurukulas and mathas. The glory and pomp of creative literature was gone and what followed later was mainly some commentaries on pro-canonical literature.
The role of Prakrit literature in the development of Kannada is stupendous, both in quality and in quantity. Kannada assimilated some of the best qualities of Prakrit starting very early around 3rd century and continued upto 14th century. As a token of gratitude, Karnataka encouraged Prakrit writers. Dhavala was safely preserved for the posterity, Mahakavi Puspadanta wrote his classics here. Virahanka, Svayambhu, Trivikrama. Nemicandra and a host of others, in addition to the galaxy of great acaryas like Kunda kunda, Vattakera, Sivakoti, Virasena, Jinasena - all lived and wrote in Karnataka.
Among other variants of Prakrit it is apabhramsa that has informed Kannada more. Joindu's (600 A.D.) Paramappayasu, Kanakamara's Karakandacariu, Siricandas Rahakosu, Hala's GahaSatta-Sai, and some other Kavyas such as Sanat-kumara Cariam, Bhavisatta-Kaha, all belong to apabhramsa group. There are apabhramsa gahas quoted in Kannada Vaddaradhane and other works. Main works and kavyas of Prakrit written in Karnataka also belong to apabhramsa like the works of Puspadanta.
The information of Jaina Sauraseni is also almost on par with apabhramsa. Pavayana sara, Pumcattikaya, chappahuda, Mulacara, Kattigeyanupekkha are some of the important works of Jaina Sauraseni that has influenced Kannada literature. Next comes Jaina Maharastri of which the main works to influence Kannada are Paumacariya of Vimalasuri, Uttarajjhayana of Devendra, Samaraicchukaha of Haribhadra. The only work of Paisaci Prakrit to influence Kannada literature is the great classic of universal importance Gunadhaya's Brhatkatha. Contribution of Yapaniya writers is also worth pondering. Bhavati Aradhana (Mularadhana) and its commentaries are the total effort and contribution of Yapaniya saints.
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