Mallinaha Chariyam Antargat Avantar Kathao

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mallinaha Chariyam Antargat Avantar Kathao" by Saloni Joshi:

This academic article, authored by Saloni Joshi, delves into the "Avantar Kathao" (sub-stories or interpolated tales) found within the Mallinatha Charitam by Acharya Haribhadrasuri. The work highlights the rich tradition of biographical poetry in Prakrit literature, particularly concerning the lives of Tirthankaras.

Key Aspects of the Study:

• Author and Work: The article focuses on the Mallinatha Charitam, a composition by Acharya Haribhadrasuri, a disciple of Shri Chandrasuri of the Vadagachchha. This work was created at the request of Prithvipala, minister of Kumarapala, and was intended to be a series of twenty-four Tirthankara biographies. Unfortunately, only four are currently available: Ajitanatha Charu (VS 1206), Neminatha Charu (VS 1216, in Apabhramsha), and Chandraprabha Charu (VS 1223).
• Unpublished Work and Structure: The Mallinatha Charitam itself is described as an unpublished manuscript of considerable length (approximately 9000 verses). It is divided into three Prastavas (sections):
  • First Prastav: Contains six Avantar Kathao along with Mallinatha's previous births.
  • Second Prastav: Details Mallinatha's birth, the conversion of six kings, and his initiation. This section features only one detailed Avantar Katha.
  • Third Prastav: Is entirely dedicated to Avantar Kathao, presenting eight such stories, along with Mallinatha's attainment of omniscience and Nirvana.
• Purpose of Avantar Kathao: The primary aim of these narrative poems is to attract society towards religion through storytelling. By weaving didactic moral tales with religious teachings, they help uplift societal life, foster character development, and impart moral education.
• List of 15 Avantar Kathao: The article enumerates 15 specific Avantar Kathao within the Mallinatha Charitam, categorized by their underlying moral or theme:
  1. Charity (Dana): Jayashekhar Katha
  2. Virtue (Shila): Vimalasundari Katha
  3. Austerity (Tapa): Jayshri Katha
  4. Contemplation (Bhavana): Matisundari Katha (Chitrakar Darika Katha)
  5. Humility (Vinaya): Kulavadhunaka Katha
  6. Renunciation of Sensual Pleasures (Kamabhoga Tyaga): Anangasena, Pradyotraya Katha
  7. Transience of Bodily Beauty: Rajahamsaka Katha
  8. Encouragement for Religious Deeds: Sanakumar Charitra (a moral example)
  9. Benefits of Religious Deeds: Samarakeṭu Charitra
  10. Gratitude (Krutadnyata): Simha Katha
  11. Ingratitude (Krutaghnata): Sukumarika Katha
  12. Moral Example for Religious Deeds: Virasena-Kusumaśri Katha
  13. Rewards from Past Life Merits: Naravikrama Naresvara Katha
  14. Religious Deeds Performed with Contemplation: Nami Pratyekabuddha Charitra
  15. Right Faith (Samyaktva): Sumatisachiva Katha
• Sources of the Avantar Kathao: The author categorizes the sources of these stories into three main groups:
  1. Agama and Niryukti, Churni, and Tikā Literature:
     • Matisundari (Chitrakar Darika) Katha is found in Avashyak Churni, Uttaradhyayana Sukhabodhatika, and Dharmopadeshamala Vivarana. Variations exist in other works like Kahakosh and Brihatkatha Kosha.
     • Anangasena and Pradyotraya Katha is present in Avashyak Churni and narratives of Lord Mahavira's life, with the Mallinatha Charitam following Avashyak Churni.
     • "Sanakumar Charitra" is widely found in non-Agamic literature as an example for engaging in religious activities.
     • "Nami Rajarshi Charitra" (Pratyekabuddha) is cited as an example of religious deeds done with contemplation, appearing in Sutrakritanga Churni, Avashyak Churni, Avashyak Bhashya, Uttaradhyayana Niryukti, Uttaradhyayana Churni, and Akhyana Manikosh Vritti.
  2. Agam-Itar Jain Literature (Non-Agamic Jain Literature):
     • Rajahamsaka Katha, illustrating the transience of bodily beauty, is found in Akhyanamanikosh Vritti and also known as Kundakathanak in Jindharmapratibodha. It might be the basis for the Sirisirivalakahala story.
     • The "Samarakeṭu Charitra" in the third section features the Ratnashikha narrative, first appearing in Puhupachandra Charitru and Upadeshapada Sukhabodhinivṛtti.
     • Sukumarika Katha, illustrating gratitude, is found in Dharmopadeshamala Vivarana, Akhyanamanikosh Vritti (as Devarati and regarding female faults), and briefly in Panchatantra and Chulapadma Jataka.
     • The Simha Katha, concerning ingratitude, is found in Jugai Jinind Charitru (as Vaidyaputra) and briefly in Panchatantra.
     • "Naravikrama Naresvara Katha," about gains from past life actions, appears in Mahavir Charitra and Akhyanamanikosh Vritti, with the latter's version being followed. It also appears in later Sanskrit-Prakrit literature and as Chandanmalayagiri Katha in medieval Gujarati literature.
  3. Other Scholarly and Folk Literature:
     • Eight other stories are included, likely based on popular narrative motifs not precisely found in earlier texts.
     • Vimalasundari Katha (on virtue) is possibly the basis for similar tales found in Kumarapala Pratibodha and Shilopadeshamala Balavabodha, and its influence is seen in medieval Gujarati literature, like Shringaramanjari.
     • "Samarakeṭu Charitra" is a substantial, original composition by the poet based on common motifs, detailing Samarakeṭu's valor, marriage to three princesses, separation, reunion, and two past lives. It is the longest Avantar Katha (around 1800 verses).
     • Virasena-Kusumaśri Katha is also detailed and considered interesting due to its elements of curiosity, drama, pathos, separation, reunion, and surprise, influencing medieval Gujarati literature.
• Classification of Kathao: The Avantar Kathao can also be classified as:
  • Purnakatha (Complete Story): Narratives covering the hero's life from birth to ultimate goal achievement, sometimes including past lives. Examples include Kulavardhanak Katha, Rajahamsaka Katha, Samarakeṭu Charitra, Sanakumar Charitra, Virasena Kusumaśri Katha, Naravikrama Naresvara Katha, and Nami Rajarshi Katha.
  • Khandakatha (Partial Story): Stories depicting partial life events, such as Anangasena, Pradyotraya Katha, Sukumarika Katha, and Sumatisachiva Katha.
  • Kathansh (Story Fragment): Brief instances from a hero's life used as examples, like Jayashekhar Katha, Jayshri Katha, Matisundari Katha, Vimalasundari Katha, and Simha Katha.
• Character Depiction and Elements: The stories feature diverse characters including humans, gods, Yakshas, Vyntaras, and animals. They prominently display miraculous, superhuman, and divine elements.
• Thematic Scope: Typically, such narrative works include stories about the fourfold Dharma (charity, virtue, austerity, contemplation) and the twelve vows of a layman (Shravaka). While the Mallinatha Charitam contains examples of the fourfold Dharma, it does not include stories related to the twelve vows, unlike Haribhadrasuri's unpublished Ajitanatha Charitru.
• Intertextuality: The article notes that "Samarakeṭu Charitra" appears verbatim in Ajitanatha Charitru. Similarly, stories on charity, virtue, austerity, contemplation, and right faith are found verbatim in Chandrakheňh Charu. "Sanakumar Charitra" is also found in Haribhadrasuri's Neminatha Charitra (Apabhramsha).
• Linguistic Style: The language of these Avantar Kathao is described as concise yet simple and fluent, with effective use of figures of speech. Descriptions of nature and characters are extensive and detailed. Proverbs and aphorisms are used appropriately.
• Conclusion: The ultimate conclusion of these stories involves characters taking initiation or engaging in religious activities, making them religious narratives. The moral lessons do not disrupt the narrative flow, and the stories are generally enjoyable.