Kannada and Jainagam Sahitya

Author(s): M D Vasantraj
Publisher: Z_Kailashchandra_Shastri_Abhinandan_Granth_012048.pdf

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Tenth Century happens to be a golden period in the history of Kannada literature not only from the view point of highly elegant Kāvyas but also from the view point of the assertainment of Kannada of its due place of honour in its homeland. Innumerable works pertaining to Jaina Āgama which are composed from Ilth Century on words are lying in our Bhandars. Some of them are independent-Original works and others are commentaries on Prāksta and Sanusksta works. The study of these works is a desideratum; very often they reveal such facts which are very important and are not found in other sources of Prāk’ta or Sariskpta.
In this regard independent-original works 'Śrāvakácāras' in good number are worth mentioning. In fact some of them had gained local popularity and influenced very much the lay mans life. These works in addition to the normal duties and vows of a Sravaka expound the importance and essentiality of Jina Paja and etc., which are not found in some of the well known works like Ratnakarandaka Śrāvakācāra. 'Suvicăra Carita' is one such work which' appears to have been very popular. There are a good number of original independent works on other branches of Āgama literature such as on the theory of Karma, tattva, loka and etc., some of which are worthy of being brought to light.
There are innumerable works of the type of commentaries which are lying hidden and uncared for in the Bhandārs. Particularly commentaries or tikās on the works of such eminent Acāryas as Kundakunda and others are very useful in many respects. If not the publication of all the works at least a discriptive catalogue pertaining to their works is very essential.
Writing of either the origi dependent works or of translation type of works is not 'A Past'. Many works wit.. ulscussions, on modern lines, touching the subject of Agama particularly pertaining to the field of Philosophy have been published. Translations of Ratnakarandaka Srävakācāra, Dravya Sangraha, Anyayoga Vyavaechedikā, Samaya Sara and many others have been published. This translation is not limited to the Sanskrit or Prakrit works alone.
Translations of the works in Hindi and other languages also have been published and one such work worth mentioning here, being very popular, is Pandit Kailäsacandra Sastrīji's Jaina Dharma'. Likewise it is very much necessary to have the selected Kannada works translated into Hindi and thus maintain good conduct between North and South.
References: 1. 'Śrutāvatāra' of Indranandi : Stzs 147. 2. Ibid : Stzn. 162-164 3. Ibid : Stzn. 165-167
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