Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 32

INTRODUCTION
The Mahāviracaritra, the tenth parvan of the Trișașțisalākāpuruşacaritra deals with the life of Mahāvīra only and includes many historical events associated with him, e.g., the association of Gośāla and Mahāvira and their subsequent enmity, and the heresy of Jamāli. Historical events subsequent to Mahāvīra's time are introduced in the guise of prophecies by, Mahāvīra. Its historical data, if not altogether dependable, may be assumed to report a Jain tradition wellestablished in Hemacandra's time. The parvan has much exposition of Jain doctrine, next to the Adiśvaracaritra; and numerous devotional hymns.
The Trișașțio doubtless does not have much originality. Encyclopedias do not have originality and that is what the Trișașțio is an encyclopedia of Jain doctrine, of life and customs of mediaeval Gujarat, of historical tradition, of contemporary history, of botany, of popular language. Hemacandra drew his material from the whole range of the canonical literature and also secular literature that was relevant, such as the Vasudevahiņdi. He was well-versed in the literature of the Hindus. Many obscurities have been made clear by comparison with parallel passages. Probably they all have parallel passages somewhere, but I could not always find them.
Bühler's Über das Leben des Jaina Mönches Hemacandra remains the standard biography of Hemacandra, though much new information has come to light since it was published in 1889. It has now been translated into English, but unfortunately the translation leaves uncorrected a number of errors. My biographical summary is based on Bühler. I do not think it. necessary to repeat here the discussion of all the legends concerning Hemacandra's life. I give only the fundamental authenticated facts for the benefit of those unacquainted