જૈન આચાર્યોના મતે કવિનું સ્વરૂપ અને પ્રકારો

Summary

This Gujarati article by Ambālāl Prajāpati investigates the concept of the poet (kavi) according to Jain philosophers and commentators. Prajāpati begins by acknowledging that while much has been written about poetic theory in Sanskrit alamkāra literature, Jain thinkers developed their own views on the nature and role of the poet. He surveys statements from Jain āchāryas such as Hemacandra, Devendra and Samantabhadra, analysing how they define a kavi as someone endowed with sensitivity to rasa, mastery of language and moral integrity. The article categorises poets into different types based on their innate talent, scholarly training and ethical disposition. Prajāpati also discusses the aims of Jain poetry, arguing that it is intended not merely to entertain but to inspire virtue and spiritual insight. He illustrates his points with examples from Jain epics and narratives, showing how poets balance elaborate diction with clear didactic messaging. The article further compares Jain views with broader Indian poetics, noting overlaps in terminology but differences in emphasis on ascetic values. Prajāpati concludes that recognizing these perspectives enriches our understanding of Indian literary theory and calls for more research on Jain contributions to aesthetics.