Some Prakrit Works on Non Religious Literature

Author(s): Jagdishchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf

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Jagadish Chandra Jain
Nirgrantha
to have commented upon this work. The Brhajjataka of Varāhamihira has referred to Vivāha-patala. Elsewhere though it forms a chapter of the Brhatsarhitā, Vindhyavasin is mentioned as author of this chapter. Särangadhara was still another author who composed the work bearing the same title in V. S. 1535. Pītāmbara was one other writer who composed it in V. S. 1579. This popular work is also recorded in the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute Jodhpur, Collections, Jodhapur, where it is stated that it was composed in V. S. 1856 and commented by Kāśinātha in V.S. 1912 with Stavaka.
The Jainas also composed Vivāha-padala. It is mentioned in the Niśitha-cūrni but without the name of the author. Elsewhere, Abhayakusala or Ubhayakusala has been referred to as the author of the work. The manuscript contains 130 verses, interspersed with quoted Prakrit verses. The work has been commented by several authors which indicates its popularity.
26.
Vaisika-śāstra or the art of courtesans or harlotary. Courtesans were well-versed in this art. Dattaka or Datta-vaisika is said to have been the author of the Vaisika which was composed for the sake of courtesans of Pāšaliputra. The commentary of the Sūtrakrtānga narrates a story of a courtesan who tried to seduce Dattaka by employing charms mentioned in the Vaisika; she did not succeed. But she would not give up. She played another trick when Datraka was caught and thrown into fire. The art of Vaisika has been mentioned in Bharata's Nātyaśāstra and Kuttinimata of Damodara. It forms a chapter of the Kāmaśästra. It is said that one who knows the art of Vaisika, is supposed to be skilled in all arts and crafts, he is able to captivate the heart of women, and is expert in conducting love affairs. Bhojadeva, the great poet, has stated in his Sīgāramañjarī: "As people are frightened of a tiger, so are the prostitutes of showing true love to their paramour; that is how a number of paramours have been deceived by prostitutes." We are told in the Vaisikatantra : "If it is not possible to acquire wealth out of real deathi, the faked death has to be practised." The Sūtrkītāngacurņi (p. 140) cites a Sanskrit quotation from this treatise saying, "The mind of women is difficult to conceive or fathom."
27.
Sāņa-ruya (Svāna-ruta) or the barking of dog, deals with the prediction of events by interpreting the barking of dogs. The treatise finds a place in the Jaina manuscripts of Patan Jaina Bhandar. It has been noted in Jñāng-ratna-kośa (p. 400) 9th chapter contains 20 gāthās.
28.
Siddhanta-pähuda deals with the effect of application of collyrium to the inner coat of eyelids, application of an unguent in the feet (pada-lepa) and keeping tablets in the mouth (gutika).