Observations on the sources of the Apabhraṁśa stanzas of Hemacandra

Summary

This article investigates the provenance of thirty‑five Apabhraṁśa stanzas cited by the 12th‑century Jain scholar Hemacandra in his grammar. The author analyses the verses to determine whether they were drawn from earlier poetic collections or composed by Hemacandra himself. To systematise the enquiry, the stanzas are grouped into three categories: those quoted verbatim from existing works; those with minor modifications; and those that express similar sentiments but differ in wording or metre. By comparing Hemacandra’s examples with extant Prakrit and Apabhraṁśa anthologies, the article demonstrates that he drew widely from contemporary literature rather than relying on a single source such as Hāla’s Sattasaī. Texts like the Vajjalagga and other anonymous collections are shown to have influenced Hemacandra’s selections. The investigation reveals Hemacandra’s methodical approach to illustrating grammatical rules: he culled memorable verses that would exemplify particular linguistic forms. The article also situates Hemacandra’s work within the broader context of medieval Indian scholarship, noting that compiling illustrative examples was a common pedagogical technique. Through detailed source criticism, it highlights the rich intertextuality of Apabhraṁśa literature and the importance of examining citations to trace textual transmission. In doing so, it enriches our understanding of Hemacandra’s scholarly practice and the literary culture of his time.