Sources of Hemacandra's Life
By Unexhibited
Summary
The article provides a detailed exploration of the sources documenting the life of Hemacandra, a key figure in Jainism. Despite extensive research over the last 50 years by European Orientalists, a thorough and accurate account of his life remains elusive. Hemacandra is known for his literary contributions that made the Svetambara tradition well-known and for his influence over a powerful Gujarat monarch during the 12th century, which helped establish Jainism's prominence in Gujarat. The main sources for Hemacandra’s life include: 1. Prabhavakacarita (by Prabhacandra and Pradyumna Sun) – A collection of life sketches of 22 Jain Acaryas, written around 1250 A.D., about 80 years after Hemacandra’s death. 2. Prabandha-cintamana (by Merutungacarya of Vardhamanapura) – A historical collection completed in 1305 or 1306 A.D. 3. Prabandhakosa (by Rajasckhara) – A compilation of biographical accounts of famous monks, poets, and statesmen, completed around 1348–49 A.D. 4. Kumarapala-prabanda (by Jinamandana Upadhyaya) – A biography of King Kumarapala of Gujarat, completed in 1435–36 A.D. These works, while useful, often present conflicting information. The Prabhavakacarita and Prabandha-cintamana offer different traditions, while the Prabandhakosa draws from the former and adds new anecdotes. The Kumarapala-prabanda is a compilation of the earlier texts and includes valuable excerpts from less accessible sources. The Prabandhas and Caritas are not purely historical accounts, but sectarian works with the intent to edify congregations and promote the Jain faith. They are written with a bias towards glorifying Jain figures, often including legends and miracles. Despite these biases, the works are valuable for reconstructing Hemacandra's life, particularly when corroborated by inscriptions and other historical data. Hemacandra’s own writings, such as the Sanskrit Dvyairamakhakavya (which summarizes the history of the Caulukya dynasty), his Prakrit Dvyairamakhakavya, and his Prakriti Grammar Pretext, are crucial primary sources for understanding his life and influence. Further, the Mahaviracarita (a work about the triumph of Mahavira) adds additional insights into his life. Since 1856, additional sources like the Kumarapala-pratibodhha and Moharajaparaya have been discovered, shedding more light on Hemacandra’s life. Updates (Post-Article): Contemporary sources like the Kumarapala-pratibodhha by Somaprabha Sun, Satarathakavya, and the Puratan-prabandha-samgraha add more details to Hemacandra’s biography. The first two works are by authors contemporaneous with Hemacandra, providing first-hand insights. This article highlights the complexities in studying Hemacandra’s life, emphasizing the need for critical examination of various sources while acknowledging the limitations and sectarian nature of the biographical works.
Conclusion
The life of Hemacandra, a pivotal figure in Jainism, remains partially obscured despite extensive research. Key sources, such as the Prabhavakacarita and Prabandha-cintamana, provide valuable but often conflicting accounts of his life. These sectarian writings, while not purely historical, offer insights into Hemacandra’s literary contributions and his influence on Jainism in Gujarat. His own works, alongside newer contemporary sources, contribute to a clearer, though incomplete, portrait of his life. A critical examination of these sources is essential to understanding Hemacandra's historical significance, despite inherent biases and gaps in the records.