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knowing in that context, practically absorbing the carlier Sanskrit and Prakrit commentaries. The poetic abilities of Jinasena are explicit from his memorable poem, Pärśvābhyudaya, and the depth of his wide learning from his Jayadhavalā. This twofold ability of Jinasena is seen all the more blooming in his Mahāputāņa.
The MP as a systematic exposition of Jaina traditions and principles is sufficiently appreciated by the specialist; but the literary qualities of this work have not attracted the attention of the students of Sanskrit literature to the extent that they deserve. Many sections of the MP present an exquisite specimen of Kävya. Jinasena shows an intelligent acquaintance with the works of his predecessors in the field. He handles Sanskrit language with ease and facility and further invests it with dignity. The Sahasranāma shows how fully he has availed himself of both the strength and weakness of Sanskrit language, grammar and vocabulary. He is a consummate master of versification, and now and then he has attended to even poetic and metrical tricks. His descriptions are exhuberantly rich and full of poetic embellishments, both of sense and sound. Professor Pathak was already attracted, 'though casually, by Jinasena's 'richness of fancy, copiousness of imagery and fluency of verse seen in the MP. It is a sad event in the history of Sanskrit scholarship that Jinasena left this work incomplete. His pupil Gunabhadra, with much hesitation and after waiting for some time, but as a sacred duty to his teacher, had to complete it which was later consecrated by Lokasena, a pupil of Guņabhadra, in 897 A.D. It is a memorable event that Virasena, Jinasena and Guņabhadra formed a continued and composite academic personality ushered into existence as if for the purpose of completing three significant works of Indian literature, namely, Dhavala, Jayadhavalā and Mahāpurāņa which were too big and profound to be completed in one span of life by any one individual.
Besides completing his teacher's Mahāpurāņa, Guņabhadra composed two other Sanskrit works, the Atmānuśāsana, a religious and didactic anthology in 272 verses of different metres, and the Jinadattacarita, a poem in nine cantos.
Earnest students of Sanskrit literature in general and of Jaina literature in particular feel highly obliged to Shriman Seth Shānti Prasādji and his accomplished wife Shrimati Ramā Rāniji who founded the Bhāratiya Jnan-.
pith which is publishing important Prākrit and Sanskrit works. Not minding the cost involved they are arranging the publication of these works with one great and laudable object that such gems of ancient Indian literature should not be allowed to be lost in oblivion. Words cannot adequately express their spirit of self-sacrifice and love of learning for its own
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