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noble exceptions they destroyed temples, harassed people and burnt libraries. In such an atmosphere when there were frequent out bursts of killing and incendiary, it was impossible for literature to flourish. Serious literary activity may only continue in placid atmosphere. In a chancy atmosphere when there is no body to recognise or patronise talent, only mediocrities hold the scene. Another reason for the decay in the Dūtakavya literature in Sanskrit is the rise of the Apabhramsa and modern dialects. Though it ought not to be misunderstood that no Dūtakāvya was composed after a particular time, it only meant that as the regional languages gradually supplanted Sanskrit; works began to be composed in those languages. Dūtakāvyas in Sanskrit, are composed even now but they are few and far between. Thus, the general tendency in an unoriginal epoch to produce imitations or counterfeits is responsible for more than a scores of Dūtakāvyas by Jaina poets alone. These, mostly, were deriving their impetus, if not inspiration from famous Meghadūta. Invariably, all the available Jaina Dūtakāvyās are written in Sanskrit.
A brief survey of the Jaina Dūtakavyas is as follows: Pārśvābhyudaya (c. AD 783) by Digambara Jinasena I, the famous author of Harivanśapurāṇa, into 4 cantos, containing 364 verses in Sanskrit is the earliest among the Dūtakāvyas, imitating the Meghadūta of Kālīdāsa. Nemidūta (c. AD 13th 14th) by Vikrama, son of Asanga of Khambata (Gujrat) comes next containing 126 verses, it depicts the Neminatha and Rājimatī episode. On the same theme of Neminatha and Rājimati was composed Jainameghadūta by Merutunga, (13461414 A.D.) in 196 verses in 4 cantos in Sanskrit, in the form of the pädapūrti of Meghadūta. Next Dūtakāvya was Śīladūtaṁ (1427 AD) in 131 verses in Padapurti form of the Meghaduta by Caritrasundaragani, pupil of Ratnasinghsūri of Bṛhattpagaccha. It depicts the story of Sthulabhadra and Kośā. During 17th century Pavanadūta (c 17 cent. AD) by Bhaṭṭāraka Vādicandra, pupil of Prabhācandra, pupil of Jñānabhūṣaṇa of Mülasangha, containing 101 verses in Mandākrāntā metre, Candradūta (1624 AD) by Vimalakirti, pupil of Sadhusundara, pupil of Sadhukirti Pathak, in 169 verses, and Meghadūta in the form of Samasyäpürti of Meghadūta Eighteenth Century witnessed the emergence of two Dūtakavyas i.e., Samasyalekha (1673 AD) by
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