Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 48

ORIENTALISTS ON THE JAINA NARRATIVE LITERATURE
ADINATH NEMINATH UPADHYE
We have studied the different aspects of this Kathākosa of Harisena which occupies an important place in Jaina narrative literature, the various currents of which are casually reviewed above. The orientalists began the study of Jaina literature rather late; still many eminent scholars have worked on important narrative texts that have afforded new material to enrich different branches of Indological study. Some have already emphasised its study in understanding Indian life and literature, as well as the salient traits of Indian culture. Some of their remarks are valuable not only as an estimate of Jaina narrative literature but also as constructive suggestions for the guidance of future workers in the field. Critical studies in different branches of Jaina literature are still in their infancy, though the richness of the field was already anticipated by Bühler in his significant remark made years ago :1 The Jaina writers "have accomplished so much of importance, in grammar, in astronomy, as well as in some branches of letters, that they have won respect even from their enemies, and some of their works are still of importance to European science. In southern India, where they worked among the Dravidan tribes, they also advanced the development of these languages. The Kanarese literary language and the Tamil and Telugu rest on the foundations laid by the Jaina monks. This activity led them, indeed, far from their proper goal, but it created for them an important position in the history of literature and culture." If the workers follow critical and comparative lines of study, the results of their research will enviably enrich the fields of Indological study. With respect to Jaina narrative
1. On the Indian Sect of the Jainas, London 1903, p. 22.