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MEDIEVAL JAINISM: CULTUREAND ENVIRONMENT
narrated in the Rayanasekharikaha of Jinaharsagani (15th century A.D.) seems to have influenced the story of the Padmavata of Malik Muhammad Jayasi, a Sufi saint of the 16th century.
Thus we see that Jain writers contributed in the field of folk tales not only through writing in Prakrit literature, they also showed keen interest in producing secular popular literature in Sanskrit for the benefit of the masses. It was their great contribution in the field of Indian narrative literature.
Richness of Motifs in Prakrit Tales
There exists an enormous variety of richness of motifs in Prakrit tales, more than in Sanskrit, which reflects a state of culture through which the tales have passed. These motifs are mainly based on popular folk tales establishing their relationships with world literature. The study of these motifs is thought-provoking as it helps tracing the common origin of world-wide story literature, the development of stories and how they are linked with international relationship, and which of the stories, at what stage, transmigrated to the other part of the world. Here we present a study of a few motifs.
1. Chastity or Act of Truth
This motif is found in world literature. The idea behind the motif is that there is nothing which cannot be accomplished by truth. Chastity tests are held by undergoing through various ordeals such as holding redhot metal in hand, plunging into boiling oil, drinking poison, weighing into a scale, seizing ploughshare by one's tongue. The Mundas take their oath by taking on their head a tiger skin, or bamboo leaves, or fire, or
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