Apbhramsa Sahitya Aur Uski Krutiya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Apbhramsa Sahitya aur Uski Krutiya" by Sanjiv Prachandiya, based on the provided pages:

The article, "Apbhramsa Sahitya aur Uski Krutiya" (Apabhramsa Literature and its Works) by Prof. Dr. Sanjiv Prachandiya, published in "Apbhramsa Bharti" in November 1996, discusses the Apabhramsa stage of Indian Aryan languages and its literary creations.

Understanding Apabhramsa:

• The text begins by noting that the stage of Indian Aryan language known as Apabhramsa was referred to by various names in ancient Sanskrit and Prakrit texts, including "Apabhrashta," "Apabhramsa," "Avabbhansa," "Avahansa," "Avahatth," and "Avahatth."

Key Contributors to Apabhramsa Literature Research:

• The author highlights the significant contributions of German scholars in bringing Apabhramsa literature to the forefront of research.
  • Hermann Jacobi: In 1902, the German scholar Pischel prepared his initial collection, "Materialien zur Kenntnis des Apabhramsa," which included Apabhramsa meters from Hemachandra's Prakrit Grammar, along with thirty-five additional verses. In 1918, Jacobi, also German, edited the "Bhavissaya-ttaha" (Bhavishyadatta-katha) by Dhanapal.
  • Shri Jinavijaya Muni: His work is considered particularly important for bringing Apabhramsa literature to light. He successfully edited works like Pushpadanta's "Mahapurana," Svayambhu's "Pauumacariu" (Padmacarita), and "Harivanshpurana."
  • Prof. Hiralal Jain: By diligently examining the Jain Bhandars, he brought to light texts such as "Jasaharacariu" (Yashodhara Charita), "Nayakumara charu" (Nayakumar Charita), "Karakandacariu" (Karakanda Charita), and "Pahud Doha."

A Catalog of Apabhramsa Literary Works:

The article then provides a brief, alphabetically ordered list of known Apabhramsa literary works, aiming to introduce the reader to the literary output of this period. This list is extensive and includes numerous titles attributed to various authors. Some of the prominent authors and their works mentioned include:

• Pushpadanta: Mentioned as the author of "Mahapurana" and "Mahapurusha Gunalankara" (which is also referred to as "Trishashti Mahapurusha Charitra" or "Mahapurana").
• Svayambhu: Credited with "Pauumacariu" and "Harivansh Purana" (along with Tribhuvan).
• Dhanapal: Author of "Bhavissaya-ttaha."
• Raihu (Rai Dhū): A prolific author whose works include "Dohakosa," "Dohakosa," "Dohānuprekṣā," "Dohāpāhuḍ," "Pāhuḍdohā," "Nēminātha Rās," "Śrīpāla Carita," "Bhāvanā Sandhi," "Mahāvīra Carita," "Mahāvīra Stotra," "Mēghēśvara Carita," "Nēminātha Caurai," "Nēminātha Carita," "Ādinātha Phāg," "Sambhavanātha Carita," "Śrīpāla Carita," "Śrīpāla Carita," and "Simhanada." He is also associated with "Baṛakhalī Doha" and "Hūna Jayati."
• Yogindū (Yogīndra): Author of "Paramātmaprakāśa" and "Yogasāra."
• Devasen: Author of "Darśanasāra," "Chappahūda" (Six Books), and "Nyāyasāra." (Although not explicitly listed with his works in the provided excerpt, he is a well-known Apabhramsa writer.)
• Hemacandra: His "Siddha Hēma Śabdānuśāsana" is noted for its compiled Apabhramsa meters.
• Jinaprabha Suri: A prominent author with numerous works listed, including "Nēminātha Carita," "Nēminātha Phāg," "Nēminātha Rās," "Nēminātha Janmābhisēka," "Dharmādharmam Kulaka," "Dharmādharmam Vicāra," "Moharāja Vijaya," "Caitapāṭī," "Carcari," "Carcari," "Carcari," "Jēmi Nōtar," "Jina Janma-ma," "Jinamahimā," "Jinandatta-caritra," "Jirā-kātha," "Jiyanti Hūṇa," "Nāgakumāra Carita," "Nāgakumāra Carita," "Niradōṣa Saptamī Kathā," "Śāntinātha Carita," "Śrīpāla Carita," "Śrīpāla Carita," "Sukhumāla Svāmi Carita," "Sudharśana Carita," "Subhadra Carita," "Sthūlabhadra Phāg," "Anātha Sandhi," "Ananta Vrata Kathānaka," "Anjanā Sundarī Kathā," "Antaranga Rās," "Antaranga Vivāha," "Antaranga Sandhi," "Ārādhana-sāra," "Ātmā-sambodhana," "Upadēśaka Kulaka," "Rṣabhajina-stuti," "Vardhamāna Kābya (Śrēṇika Carita)," "Vardhamāna Carita," "Varāṅga Carita," "Vivēka Kulaka," "Vīra Jina Pāraṇaka," "Jambūsvāmī Caritra," "Jambūsvāmī Rāsā," "Śrīpāla Carita," "Śrīpāla Carita," and "Sūryasvāmi Stotra."
• Haribhadra Suri: Mentioned for works from the 8th to 12th centuries.
• Udyōtana Suri: Author of "Kuvalayamālā-kahā."
• Somaprabha Suri: Author of "Kumārapāla-prabōdha."
• Abdur Rahmān: Author of "Sandaśarāsa."

The list includes various genres like "Sandhi," "Kulaka," "Caurai," "Ārādhana," "Rās," "Causar," "Phāg," "Stuti," "Stotra," "Kathā," "Carita," and "Purāṇa," indicating the diverse forms of literature produced during this period.

Themes and Expressions in Apabhramsa Literature:

• The article emphasizes that Apabhramsa literature successfully captured a wide range of human emotions and thoughts related to life and the world through its various literary forms.
• Several poetic excerpts (couplets and stanzas) are provided as examples to illustrate the expressions and sentiments found in Apabhramsa literature. These examples showcase lyrical beauty, devotional feelings, and depictions of nature and human emotions.

Scope of the List:

• The author acknowledges that the provided list is not exhaustive but serves to give a general idea of the Apabhramsa literary landscape.

In essence, the article by Sanjiv Prachandiya serves as an introductory overview of Apabhramsa literature, highlighting its linguistic context, acknowledging the scholars who revived its study, and presenting a substantial catalog of its known works, thereby showcasing its richness and diversity.