Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 397

PRASASTI
357 the sun of enlightenment of the universe, who attained the highest fame, having composed a commentary on the Sthānaka273 and a sānticarita, the seat of power from much penance. Ācārya Hemacandra was the bee to his lotus-feet, master of a wealth of knowledge acquired by his favor.
One day, the Caulukya, King Kumārapāla, an advanced layman, well-behaved, belonging to the family of Śrī Mūla Rāja, conqueror of Cedi, Daśārna, Mālava, Mahārāștra, and the western country, the Kurus, Sindhus and other fortified territories, a Hari by the power of his strength of arm, bowed to him and said: “Whatever is the cause of life in hellhunting, gambling, liquor, et cetera-all that has been forbidden on earth, (by me) having accepted your command for attention given to benefits without motive, master; the money of a man who dies without a son has been released; the earth has been adorned with shrines of Arhats. For these reasons I am now cqual to Samprati in this world.
In the past at the request of my predecessor King Siddharāja, who had a trace of devotion, you composed a grammar with appendices, comprehensible from a good commentary. You composed the spotless Yogaśāstra for my sake; and other manuals, the Dvyāśraya, Chando (nuśāsana), Alankrti, and collections of nouns274 for the people. If you are ready to confer benefits on the people of your own accord, nevertheless I ask you: for the enlightenment of people like me, reveal also the lives of the sixtythree illustrious persons."
Because of his insistence Hemacandra Ācārya wrote the biographies called Salākāpuruşa, which have as their main result instruction in dharma, in a profusion of beautiful words.
273 14. This Sthânakavrtti is a commentary on Pradyumnasüri's work. It is called Mülasuddhi and is now being published by the Prakrit Text Society.
274 18. These include the Abhidhānacintamani, the Abhidhānacintamanipariţişta or Seşasangraha, the Anekārthasangraha, the Nighantu, and the Dešināmamālā.