Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

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

Page 93

Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
(Dr.A.N.Upadhye's Introduction to the Pravacanasāra, R.J.S.Vol.IX, Bombay 1935) is yet to be established.
Moreover we do not have, so far, a single compact and handy monograph, wherein whatever episodes of the life of Rsabhadeva depicted in Sthananga, details of Vedic references made to him in various contexts, the Hindu Puranic details, the reference in thc Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhist Arya- manjusrimulakalpa etc. are duly discussed, compared and coordinated, and the result so obtained is stated in clear terms. Hence, holding fast to this part of the ground already covered, such and other requisite efforts have to be carried through for a cumulative and uncontroversial outcome, honouring, all along, the overall experience that authentic Jaina tradition more often than not has proved to be history to a large extent; and then, surcly, Rsabhadeva would be accepted as a historical person on all hands.
III Now coming to the third point, India with its warm and salubricus climatic conditions and congenial social and family atmosphere, is for long known as the home of numerous interesting tales, parables, sables etc. When Mahavira, and also the Buddha, picked up Prakrit, the natural language of the people, for preaching and teaching religious principles and cthical values to them, and that also through simple tales, illustrations, examplification etc, it marked an important event in the social and cultural history of India. Such narratives, avowedly meant for the common people, naturally reflected glimpses of their day-to-day life. Following the great Seer, the Jaina saints and teachers later harnessed this instructional art fruitsulty and turned out to be adopt story-tellers in course of time.
The oral tradition of this art, nurtured and maintained in their sermons, was as a matter of course, further continued in the written one too. They thus cultivated and utilised for centuries various types of narratives to instruct and educate the laity and the masses round about them in an interesting and entertaining