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IMPORTANCE OF JAIN LITERATURE OF MEDIEVAL RAJASTHAN
73
pieces of poems became so popular that they began to be sung from mouth to mouth on the occasion of worship and prayer and during pilgrimage.24
But it seems that on or about the 17th and 18th centuries the most important guiding principles of Jainism were not strictly adhered to and evil practices were gaining ground both among the monks and nuns and Jaina laity. Hence some of Jaina teachers and writers who were rationalists in their outlook and devoted sincerely to the religion raised a powerful voice against all these corrupt practices and attempted to purify the Jaina of many evils that were steadily dragging it down from the high and venerable position. The Panchaindri-ki-veli (1668), Chhakai-ki-veli, Tera Kathiya (1668), Charas-ki-kaha (1675), Dharma Raso, Buddhivilas, Abu Gazal etc. presume the message for every Jain to value chastity, piety and self control.25
REFERENCES
1. Ghatiyala Ins. V.E. 919; Bijoliyan Ins., V.S. 1226, Adinath
temple Ins. Ahor, V.S. 1000. 2. Ghatiyala Ins., V.E. 919; Bijolian Ins., V.S. 1226; Vanvasa Ins.,
V.S. 1359; Jaina Ins., I. No 874, Vrikad Gurvavali, V.E. 134, pp.
51, 60 3. G.N. Sharma, Social Life, pp. 1, 3. 4. Samyaktva by Taruna Prabhasuri, V.S. 1411, pp. 10-18. 5. Karamchandra-Vanshotkirtanakam-Kavyam, V.5. 6. Babumama, Vol. II, pp. 251, 486, 580, 606; Akbarnama, III,
pp. 278, 406, Nensi Khayata, pp. 25, 28, 60, 97 7. Bijolivan Ins., V.S. E.I., XXVI, pp. 84-173; Jhalodi temple
Ins., V.E. 1255 : Nadol Copperplate grant, V.S. 1218 : Bhinmal Ins., V.S. 1060; Suda Hill Ins., V. 36, E.I. IX pp. 76-77 : Jain
Lekh Sangrah, I. pp. 205, 270; Ibid, II, p. 97, part IV, p. 108. 8. Hammira-Mahakavya, Canto IV, VV 20-26 : Prabandha-Kosa,
Canto IV, V-32, Singhi Jain Granthamala, VI, p. 134. 9. Jaisalmer Insc. No. 2112, Jain Ins., pp. VII, VIII, IX.
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