Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Studies in Jainology, Prakril
have been restrored to a great cxtent. Hence all these four great commentarial works can be said to represent a hidden Landmark in the History of Early Kannada Literature, and I am tempted to call the period covered by these works, together with a few other ones,20 the period of the Great Jaina Commentories, which could in all probability be the 6th and 7th centuries A.D.
Next to Kavirajamārga is available the Vaddaradhane (0.925 A.D.) the earliest available prose work in Kannada which is based on the Mūlaradhana (Bhagavati Aradhana) of Śivarya. It is an Aradhanā Kathakośa standing in rank with similar Kathakośas of Harişena, Sricandra, Ncmidatta and Prabhācandra. This can be said to be the only Ārādhanā Kathākośa in modern Indian Languages, Aryan or Dravidian, and hence, is of great oriental value. It shows considerable influence of the diction of the Prākrit narrativ works and is unparallcdlled in Kannada literature in respect of its excellence of language and literary style.21 Along with this classic can be mentioned another prose work, the Cāvundarāyapurana (C.978 A.D.), composed by the great Camundarāya. The prose of this work shows some Prakrit influence; but the language is more Sanskrit-ridden.
Now entering the realm of poetry, we first meet Pampa (941 A.D.), the greatest of the Kannada pocts. He is known as the Ādikavi of Karnataka. His Adipurāna and Vikramärjuna-vijaya, composed in the Campū style, are the masterpieces in Kannada literature. Ponna (C.950 A.D.), known as Kavicakravarti, composed his Šantipurāna in the same Campū style. Ranna (C.993 A.D.), also entitled as Kavicakravarti by the Cālukya King Tailapa, gave us his far esteemed Ajitapurana and Gadayuddha. All these three poets are known as the Ratnatraya of Kannada literature.
Among other eminent Jaina poets who flourished after this great trio, the following are worthy of special mention along with their respective works: Santinātha (1068 A.D.) - Sukumāracarita;