Life of Hemchandracharya

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

Page 24

CHAPTER 1.-SOURCES the whole, however, it must be admitted that even in the Prabhāvakacaritra Hemacandra has become a semi-mythical personality. Considering the character of the Prabandhas described above, Hemacandra's own statements about his person and his time are naturally of the greatest significance. They are principally to be found:
1. In the Sanskrit Dvyäsrayamahākāvya, which gives a summary of the History of the Caulukya dynasty of Gujarat, from Mūlarāja down to Kumārapāla (Note 28 );
2. In the Prakrit Dvyās'rayamahākāvya or Kumāravālcariya which celebrates his patron Kumārapāla (Note 88);
3. In the Pras'asti to his Grammar which is written in honour of his first patron Jayasimha Siddharāja and the ancestors of the same (Note 33);
4. In the Mahaviracarita which belongs to the Trişastis'alākāpuruşacaritra (Note 66).
Besides, isolated facts are found scattered in almost all of his works. Without these authentic communications, a research into Hemacandra's life would yield results of little certainty. With the help of them, at least an outline of his biography can be drawn. There remain, however, significant gaps which cannot be filled up for the present.