________________
a higher genius than the author of the 'CLOUD MESSENGER' The story relating to the origion of 'PARSVABHYUDAYA' is too interesting to be omitted. Kalidasa came to Bankapura priding over the production of bis 'Megha L'uta' Being instigated by Vinayasena, Jinasena told Kalidasa that he had pirated the poem from some ancient writer. When challenged by Kalidasa to prove his statement Jinasena pretended that the book he referred to was at a great distance and could be got only after eight days. Then he came out with his own Parevabhyudaya', the last line of each verse in which was taken from Kalidasa. The latter is said to have been confounded by this, but Jinasena finally confessed his whole trickery.2
Soma Deva was the most learned writers. "What make his works of very great importance", observes Dr. Hira Lal, "are the learning of the author which they display and the masterly style in which they are composed" The Prose of 'Yasastilaka' vies with that of Bana and poetry at places with that of Magha.3 According to Peterson 'Somadeva's work Yasastilaka is in itself a true Poetical merit, which nothing but the bitterness of theological hatred would have excluded so long from the list of the classics of India. In the words of Peterson 'it represents a lively picture of India and well high absorbed the intellectual energies of all thinking men." part entitled 'Upasakadhyanam'. divided into 46 chapters ia a handbook of popular instructions on Jaina doctrine and devotion His other work of considerable interest is 'Nitivakyamrta' which is almost verbally modelled on Kautilya's Artha-sastra.' Indeed it is a certificate to the University of this Jaina writer.
The last
6
These writers were historic persons. who exercised tremendous infiuence in their own days is equally certain.
1. Journal of Royal Asiatic Society (Bombay Branch) 1894,p224 2. Cf Nathram Premi, op. cit. P. 54.55.
3. Dr. Hira Lal, op. cit. P. xxxii.
4-6. Peterson, op. cit. IV. P. 33, 46,
200 ]
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
