Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 699

228 SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
in all the subsequent Jaina versions of the Naravikrama-story, we find the self-same motivations of the all-powerful law of Karma and the glorification of Sila.
THE SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS:
As observed at the outset, we come across many Jaina versions of this story with Sila or chastity of character and glorification of the Jaina Dharma as its ultimate ends.
Dr. B. J. Sandesara has truthfully described seven early Gujarati Jaina versios of this story on the basis of the notes given in Shri Mohanlal Dalichand Desai's monumental work Jaina Gurjara Kavio. He has also noted the oldest version of Bhadrasena-a Jaina Muni-who composed it in V. S. 1675 (i. e. 1619 A. D.) Shri Sarabhai Navab has published this version with some introductory notes in the Acarya Anandasankara Dhruva Smaraka Grantha. The language of Bhadrasena's story is an early form of Vraja Bhāsā.
The respective authors of the above-mentioned Jaina versions are Jina Harsa (V. S. 1704), Sumati Hamsa (V. S. 1711), Ajita Canda (V. S. 1736), Jina Harsa (V. S. 1745), Yašovardhana (V. S. 1747), Catura (V. S. 1771) and Kesara (V. S. 1776).
Besides the Prakrit version and those noted by Dr. Sandesara several other Jaina versions of the story are also known.
The lone non-Jaina example is that of the famous medieval Gujarati poet Samal (later half of the 18th cent). His version has primarily a narrative interest. The purpose of his story is neither religious nor explicitly didactive. He has no doubt contributed, to a great extent, towards giving the story a wide-spread popularity.
The present writer has examined from a comparative point of view the following versions of the narrative under consideration besides the Prakrit and the Samal Versions: .....
1. "Candana-Miliyagiri Caupai."
(MS. B. V. B. 57) of Jina Harsa. Date of composition: V. S. 1704. 2." Candana Miliyagiri Rāso."
(MS. B. V. B. 58) of Rama Muni. Date of composition: V. S. 1711. 3. "Candana Malayagari Varta."
(MS. B. V. B. 59) of Bhadrasena, Date of composition: V. S. 1675.