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110
Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
15
OBSERVATIONS ON SOME
SOURCES OF THE PUNYASRAVA-KATHAKOSA
Jaina literature is remarkably rich in stories. From early times the Jaina teachers have narrated or composed stories in Prakrit and Sanskrit (later also in Apabhramsa and some of the modern Indian languages) with a view to imparting ethical education to monks and cdifying and instructing the pious laity in an entertaining manner. As a result, there has gracefully flown a stream of Jaina narrative literature which is a part of the Indian narrative literature in general. Kathakosas or Compilations of Storics form an interesting type among those ones found in the later Jaina narrative' literature. And the Punyāsrava-kathākoša, in Sanskrit prose, of Ramacandra Mumuksu stands as a unique work among the Kathakośas. It is unique in the sense that it illustrates the fruits obtainable from the practice of the six-fold duties of housc- holders which are generally known as:
(i) Devapuja (worship of divinity); (ii) Gurūpāsti (devotion to Guru); (iii) Svadhayāya (Study of scripture); (iv) Samyama (self-restraint);
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