Sudarshan Charitam

Author(s): Vidyanandi, Hiralal Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 9

सुदर्शनचरितम्
De
Devoted to this very topic is the Sudamsanacariu (edited by Dr. H.L. JAIN and published by the Vaishali Institute ) in Apabhramśa by Nayanandi who composed it in Dhāra at the time of Bhoja in Sam. 1100, i. e., C. A. D. 1043. Nayanandi shows remarkable skill in metres, a large variety of which he has employed in this work in a poetic style. It seems that he composed this poem as if to illustrate so many metrical forms.
Rāmacandra Mumukṣu also gives the story of Sudarśana in his Punyaśrava-kathākośa to illustrate the efficacy of the Namaskāra Mantra.
The present work in Sanskrit comes after all these and gives the biography of Sudarśana in details. The author is Vidyānandi about whom we know good many details (already given by the Editor in his Hindi Introduction). He hailed from a branch of the Prāgvāța family; and the name of his father was Harirāja, He was initiated into the order by Devendrakirti of the Surat branch of the Balātkāra-gaņa. He visited many places and was respected everywhere. He composed this Sudarśana-carita in the vicinity of Surat, in c. 1456, say about the middle of the 15th century A. D.
Dr. HIRALALAJI JAIN has edited this work from a single Ms, from his own collection. As an experienced editor he has given us the text in an authentic form. His Introduction clearly marks out the place of Vidyānandi's Sudarsana-carita in the available material dealing with Sudarśana and brings to light some important details about Vidyānandi who, as a Bhattāraka, has played a significant role in the contemporary religious life of the community. Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. HIRALALAJI for kindly contributing this volumne to the Mānikachandra Granthamālā.