Life of Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Manilal Patel
Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith Mumbai

Page 13

PREFACE BY THE GENERAL EDITOR
Of the new material, that has been discovered since Dr. Bühler published his study, the Kumarapalapratibudha of Somaprabhacarya should be mentioned first, This work was completed in the year V. S. 1241 (A.D. 1185) that is eleven years after the death of Hemacandra. It was composed and finished by Somaprabhācārya while residing at Anahillapura in the casati (that is the residence) of the poetlaureste Sripala. Three disciples of Hemaeandra-namely Mahendra muni, Vardhamana muni and Gunacandra gani-had attended to it with great interest as it was being read to them. The first copies of the work were prepared by the order of Abhayakumara-a leading rich citizen of Anahillapura and a favourite of Kumarapala. Thus this book is the work of a contemporary learned man who was in close contact of Hemacandra and his pupils and devotees. Though this work is voluminous, unfortunately it does not give as much information about the lives of Kumarapala and Hemacanra as to satisfy our expectations. However whatever information it gives is quite reliable and of first class historical importance. Dr. Bühler was altogether unaware of this work.
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Next to this comes the Moharajaparajaya nataka of Yasahpala a contemporary of Hemacandra and Kumarapala. Dr. Bühler was aware of this drama and had taken notice of it, but it appears he had not himself gone through this work. If he had availed himself of both these works he would have been able to give a more accurate, and satisfactory account of the conversion of Kumarapala by Hemacandra.
In addition to these two literary works we have been fortunate enough to discover other historical references which help us in understanding more clearly and definitely matters which were regarded by Dr. Bühler as doubtful or incapable of a consistent explanation. For example, take the year of the conquest of Malava by Siddharaja. Now we have discovered certain colophons at the end of MSS. which help us in settling this question. Again Dr. Bühler has raised many doubts as to the reliability of the evidence which goes to show the influence of other learned Jaina Acaryas on Siddharaja (Chapt. IV p. 33). These doubts get solved by the prasasti of V. S. 1193 at the end of the Muaisuvratasiamicarita of Candrasuri which is published in the fifth report of Prof. Peterson (pp. 7-18).
It appears that Dr. Bühler could not go through all the works of Hema ea. ndra carefully. Otherwise some of the mistakos could have been avoided. For example Bühler says: "In none of his works, known so far, does He meandra give the name, of his tuacher, although ample opportunity should have been offered for the same." (p. 10) It is rather strange that Dr. Bühler should pass such a remark. In fact, in the Trisastis alakāpurusacaritra from whose 10th parvan he gives copious quotations, Hemacandra not only refers to his Guru but says that it was through his prasida. (blessings) that he could be so rich in learning. As Dr. Bühler probably could not
* शिष्यस्तस्य च तीर्थमेकमवनेः पावित्र्यकृज्जङ्गमं स्याद्वादत्रिदशापगा हिमगिरिर्विश्वप्रबोधार्यमा 1 कृत्वा स्थानकवृत्ति - शान्तिचरिते प्राप्तः प्रसिद्धिं परां सूरिभूरितपःप्रभाववसतिः श्रीदेवचन्द्रोऽभवत् ॥ १४ ॥ आचाय हेमचन्द्रोऽभूत्तत्पादाम्बुजपदपदः । तत्प्रसादादधिगतज्ञानसम्पन्महोदयः ॥ १५ ॥
त्रिशिलाका पुरुषचरित्र, पर्व १० प्रशस्ति ।