भारतीय भाषाओं में सुदर्शनचरित-विषयक साहित्य

Summary

The text discusses literature related to the Sudarshancharita in Indian languages. It begins by explaining that the Sudarshancharita is based on the story of Sudarshan, a Kevali (omniscient being) contemporary of Mahavira, and the Namokar Mantra, a central prayer in Jainism. The narrative describes Sudarshan's previous births: he was first a Bhil king named Vyaghra, then a dog, and later a cowherd named Subhaga. After hearing a religious discourse, he was reborn as a merchant's son, Sudarshan, who took Jain initiation, performed severe penance, attained Kevala Jnana, and achieved liberation. The text then lists and describes various works on this theme. The earliest reference is in the Prakrit Mula Radhana by Shivakoti. Key works include: 1) Brihat Kathakosha by Harishena (931 CE), a Sanskrit work containing 157 stories, including one about Subhaga the cowherd. 2) Sudamsanachariu by Nayanandi (1043 CE), an Apabhramsha poem in 12 cantos. 3) Kahakosu by Shri Chandra (c. 1066 CE), an Apabhramsha work with 100 stories. 4) Kathakosha by Prabhachandra (11th century). 5) Punyashravakathakosha by Ramachandra Mumukshu (13th century). 6) Sudarshanacharita by Bhattaraka Sakalakirti (14th-15th century), an 8-canto work. 7) A Sanskrit Sudarshanacharita by Vidyānandi (c. 1456 CE), in 12 sections. 8) Sudarshanarasa by Brahma Jinadasa (15th century), in Rajasthani. 9) An unavailable Sudamsanachariu by Mahakavi Raighu (15th century).