________________
९२
अनुसन्धान ४६
of this century. Municandra wrote five Kulakas and three Prakaranas. His Vanaspatisaptatikā is remarkable. Sricandra wrote in JM. and Skt. very fluently.
In the 13th Century, JM. literature is comparatively less than Skt. and Apabharamsa literature is steadily growing.
Thakkura Pheru, a treasurer of Allauddin Khilji wrote many scientific and technical works in 14th Century. His small treatises are extremely important in JM. literure. These treatises are dedicated to Numismatics, Metallurgy, Mathematics, Astrology, Gemmology and Architecture. Ratnasekhara wrote on Ethics, Karaṇānuyoga, Caraṇānuyoga and Caritas. Jinaprabha's Vidhimārgaprapā is an authentic work on rituals. Growing ritualistic tendencies in Jain religion arc reflected in Jinaprabha's other works also. Jayavallabha's anthology called Vajjālagga and Nayacandra's Prakrit drama - Sațțaka are two remarkable works of this century.
In the 15th Century, JM. works show declining tendency. Jinaharsa, Somacandra, Subhavardhana, Sakalakirti and Cäritravardhana wrote in JM. but the variety of subjects and literary forms is not seen. Caritas and Kathākoșas are ample in number but lack in originality and imitation prevail over creativity.
This is the brief sketch of JM. literature from 3rd Century A.D. up to 15th Century A.D..
CONCLUSION Important Observations about JM. Literature : * In no other Prakrit language than JM. such a huge
literature is produced in India for such a long period (from 3rd Cen A.D. up to 15th Con. A.D.) Since the Dig. had already chosen Sauraseni for their literary activities, Šve. writers had naturally undertaken Mahārāstri.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
