भविष्यदत्तकथा-विषयक साहित्य एक श्रनुशीलन
By डं. कपुरचन्द जेन
Summary
This PDF examines the narrative literature of Jainism, focusing on the story of Bhavishyadatta and its connection to the Shrutapanchami (or Jnanapanchami) vow. The text explains that Jain acharyas used storytelling, termed Prathamānuyoga, to convey Jain principles in a simple and engaging manner. The Bhavishyadatta story is a prominent example, found in many versions across Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha literature. The core narrative involves Bhavishyadatta, son of merchant Dhanapati and his first wife Kamalashri. After Dhanapati remarries, Kamalashri is neglected. Her son Bhavishyadatta is abandoned on an island by his half-brother Bandhudatta, but is rescued by an Asura who arranges his marriage to Bhavishyanurupa. Meanwhile, Kamalashri observes the Shrutapanchami vow for her son's welfare. Bhavishyadatta returns home wealthy, but Bandhudatta later tricks him again, claiming Bhavishyanurupa as his own bride. With the Asura's help, Bhavishyadatta exposes the deception, is reunited with his wife, and is granted a kingdom by the king. The story concludes with Bhavishyadatta taking initiation and attaining liberation, while others achieve heavenly births, all due to the power of the vow. The PDF then analyzes several literary works based on this story. These include the Prakrit *Nanapanchamikaha* by Maheshvarasuri (11th century), the Apabhramsha *Bhavisayattakaha* by Dhanapala (10th century), the *Bhavisayattachariu* by Shridhara (12th-13th century), another *Bhavisayattachariu* by Raidhu (15th-16th century), and the Sanskrit *Bhavishyadattacharitra
Conclusion
The analysis of the Bhavishyadatta narrative across multiple languages and periods demonstrates the enduring significance of the Shrutapanchami vrata in Jain tradition. The story's repeated retelling in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha, by authors from the 11th to 18th centuries, underscores its role as a vehicle for moral instruction and religious propagation. The variations in plot details across versions reveal how the core message of the vrata's efficacy was adapted to different audiences while maintaining its essential didactic function. This literary tradition not only preserved Jain ethical teachings but also contributed to the development of regional languages and narrative forms. The widespread circulation of the Bhavishyadatta story ultimately reinforced the importance of ritual observance and karmic consequences within Jain communities, demonstrating how narrative literature served as an effective medium for transmitting religious values across generations.