Poetry of the Uttaradhyayana Sutra

Summary

Ram Prakash Poddar examines the literary qualities of the 'Uttaradhyayana‑sutra', challenging the notion that Jain scriptures are uniformly prosaic. He notes that the sutra combines prose introductions with verses structured into couplets and quartets, using variations in pitch and caesura to create rhythm. The text contains gnomic aphorisms, parables, dialogues, riddles and ballads. Poddar analyses how similes and metaphors – such as life compared to sand, a lotus or a parrot – convey moral insights and heighten emotional tension. The story of Kapila shows how the wise regulate their speech, and the ballad of Rajimati and Rathanemi depicts renunciation and heartbreak in a dramatic style. Poddar points out that images in the sutra are not mere ornaments; they functionally illustrate ethical points. He highlights the subtle variations between couplets and the use of enlivening episodes to sustain interest. The article shows that the poetic craftsmanship of the Uttaradhyayana‑sutra makes its religious message compelling and memorable, combining didactic purpose with aesthetic appeal.