कवि नन्नस्तूरिकृत गजसुकुमाल चउढाळीया
By Vasantrai B. Dave
Summary
This final Hindi article discusses ‘Gajasukumāra’, a Jain epic attributed to poet Nānāsura. The narrative follows Prince Gajasukumāra, who undergoes trials and adventures while upholding Jain values. The article outlines the plot, emphasising episodes where the hero renounces power, debates ascetics on karma and practices compassion. Nānāsura’s poetic style blends prose and verse, using alliteration and similes. The article situates the poem within Jain romantic epics like Vasudevahindi and argues that it served both to entertain and to teach moral lessons to lay readers.
Conclusion
Nānāsura’s “Gajasukumāra” illustrates how Jain authors used epic storytelling to impart ethical teachings. By weaving moral discourse into a tale of adventure and romance, the poet captured the imagination of a broad audience. Such works illuminate the interplay between doctrine and narrative in medieval Indian literature.