Kalikalasarvajna Hemacandra

Summary

Hemacandra, honored with the title "Kalikalasarvajna" (The Omniscient of the Kali Age), was a renowned Jaina monk whose literary contributions spanned poetry, philosophy, grammar, lexicography, and more. His vast body of work significantly influenced Gujarat, helping it to become a stronghold for the Svetambara Jain community. His influence on the Caulukya kings, particularly Jayasimha Siddharaja and Kumarapala, played a key role in shaping the cultural and literary progress in the region during the 12th and 13th centuries. Key Works and Contributions: 1. Epic Poetry: • Trigartisalakapurusacarita (The Lives of the Sixty-Three Excellent Men): This large epic is more a didactic work than purely poetic. It serves as a repository of ancient Jaina legends, proverbs, and folk songs. • The Paritistaparvan (Lives of the Series of Elders) is an important appendix, rich in folklore and popular traditions. 2. Hymns: • As a devout Jaina, Hemacandra composed hymns such as the Vitaragastotra (Hymn to the Passionless), which is both a devotional and didactic manual of Jaina religion. 3. Philosophy and Logic: • Hemacandra made notable contributions to Jaina philosophy and logic, including the Praménammansa (Examination of the Means of Proof) and the Anyayogavyavaśchedadvatrimśika, a 32-verse treatise in praise of Mahavira that also touches on logic. • His works laid the foundation for Mallisena's Syadvada-manjari, an influential commentary on Jaina logic. 4. Grammatical Works: • Hemacandra's Siddha-Hemacandra (or Haima-vyakarana) is a comprehensive and practical Sanskrit grammar that has been highly praised by scholars. This work also includes commentaries and the Unidiganasttra and Dhatupatha. • His Prakrit Grammar is crucial for understanding Prakrit dialects and contains references to folk poetry. • Apabhramsa songs composed by Hemacandra helped elevate Apabhramsa as a literary language among Jaina yatis. 5. Lexicography: • Hemacandra compiled important lexicons, such as Abhidana-cintamani (synonymic) and Anekartha-samgraha (homonymic), with commentaries by the author. These works are critical for understanding Sanskrit and Prakrit vocabulary. 6. Miscellaneous Works: • Hemacandra also authored texts on poetics and metrics, including the Kavyanuiasana and Chandanusasana, with his commentaries providing further insight into his practical approach to literature. Impact and Influence: Hemacandra’s works, although not particularly original, were immensely erudite and practical. They demonstrate his encyclopedic knowledge and extensive reading. He is credited with advancing the literary tradition in Gujarat, and his influence is still felt in the region's cultural landscape. Controversial Attribution: It was once believed that Hemacandra was the author of the Laghv-arhannitisastra, a Jaina work on law and politics. However, research by C.R. Jam has shown this work to be a spurious 19th-century compilation, and it has since been excluded from the list of Hemacandra’s authentic works.