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Surasundarichariam: an Introduction
Jaina narrative litterateur is enormously rich. Particularly the narrative literature of Shvetambaras is a veritable storehouse of folktales, fairy-tales, beast-fables, parables, illustrative examples, apologues, allegories, legends, novels, funny stories and anecdotes. Apart from a large number of tales and parables and legends found in the Jaina canons itself, the Jaina writers have created new stories and legends of their own also. The versatile Jaina monk authors were very practical minded. They exploited the Indian people's inborn love for stories for the propagation of their Dharma.
Surasundarichariam (last quarter of the 17h century AD) is a voluminous romantic epic composed in Prakrit by Shrimad Dhaneshwarsuri. Richer in contents it is an important work of Jaina narrative literature. It is considered under ornate poems, one of the ten divisions of Jaina narrative literature. The whole subject matter of Surasundarichariam is divided into sixteen chapters (parichchedas). Each chapter contains a story interwoven with some another stories which keep retained the interest of the readers. The most authentic translation of the book in Gujarati and Hindi alongwith Sanskrit chhaya by Ganivarya Param Pujya Shri Vishrutyash Vijayji Maharaj, and ideal desciple of Param Pujya Acharya Shri Rajyash Surishwarji Maharaj has added value to the book. We are very greatful to Acharyashri for entrusting this work to us for publication. Sraman is presenting this beautiful story for its readers in parts. We have already published Chapter First and Second of Surasundarichariam in our successive to issues. Here follows the Third Chapter.
- The Editor Brief accounts of last two chapters
At the very outset of the story of the first chapter, the author after paying obeisance to Tirthankara Rishabhadeva, Mahavira, Panch-paramesthin and his revered teacher, narrates the description of the Universe, Jambudvipa, Bharat Kshetra and Kuru. Kuru is the
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