Universal Values of Prakrit Texts

Author(s): Prem Suman Jain
Publisher: Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth and Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan

Page 48

like Siddhasena has developed Nayavāda and Anekāntavāda to such heights that rarely we find parallels elsewhere for tolerant understanding of reality. One often regrets that many of these texts have not been properly studied and their contents duly digested in the great stream of Indian Philosophy.
Another significant aspect of Prākrit literature is its high moral tone. Very little is written by way of panegyric, pastime, flourish of language and to please the audience. The major portion of it is inspired by a high moral tone ; and everywhere, with the transmigration and Karma doctrine in the background, the attempt is to teach the individual first to improve oneself by subjugating one's baser instincts like anger, vanity, deception, greed and infatuation, which generally arise out of one's attachment and aversion, Secondly, one is taught to behave worthily by respecting the sanctity of all life, of others ‘possessions and of thers' personality. No doubt this branch of literature has produced worthy men and women in our society of which any age should be proud. These are eternal values and lessons, and let us also be benefited by them,
-0-0-0