Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1

This comprehensive summary addresses the Vasudevahindi Madhyama Khanda Part 1, authored by Dharmadas Gani and edited by H. C. Bhayani and R. M. Shah, published by L. D. Indology Ahmedabad.

Book Title: Vasudevahimdi Madhyama Khanda Part 1 Author: Dharmdas Gani Editors: H. C. Bhayani, R. M. Shah Publisher: L. D. Indology, Ahmedabad Publication Date: September, 1987 Century: Seventh Century AD (as a Prakrit recast of the Brihatkatha narrative) Language: Prakrit

Overall Summary:

This volume presents the critical edition of the Madhyama Khanda (Middle Section) of the Vasudevahindi (VH), a significant work in Jain literature. Composed by Dharmadasa Gani in the 7th century AD, it is a Prakrit recasting of portions of the famous Brihatkatha (BK) narrative. The Madhyama Khanda (VM) is so named because it is inserted within the larger Vasudevahindi composed by Sanghadāsa Vacaka in the 5th century AD. This specific volume, Part 1, covers the Purvardha (first part) of the VM, encompassing the first eighteen Lambhas (chapters/sections).

The introduction by the editors is extensive and scholarly, detailing the manuscripts used, the interrelationship between them, the constitution of the text, a summary of the narratives, salient features of the language and style, and crucial discussions on the VM's relation to the BK tradition, its various versions, and the original BK itself. The editors also determine the date of Dharmadasa Gani. The appendices, particularly the index of important words, greatly enhance the scholarly value of the work.

Key Aspects of the Introduction and Content:

1. Manuscripts and Text Constitution: The edition is based on five manuscripts, one palm-leaf and four paper. The palm-leaf manuscript from Khambhat (dated 1390 VS/1334 AD) is the oldest and serves as the primary basis for the text. The editors meticulously describe these manuscripts, analyze their interrelationships, and explain their collation methods, including the critical apparatus.

2. Summary of Narratives (Part I): The volume contains a summary of eighteen Lambhas, each recounting the "winning" of a particular princess by Vasudeva. The narrative is rich with episodic tales, typical of the Brihatkatha tradition, featuring Vidyadharas, magical powers, kings, princesses, and elements of romance, adventure, and religious instruction. The key narratives include:

   • Winning of Prabhavati: This is the most extensive narrative in Part I, detailing Vasudeva's encounter with Prabhāvati, her disguise, her magical abilities, and her eventual marriage. It also involves other important characters like Bandhumati, Priyangusundari, Balacandra, Candrayasas, and the goddess Sankuka. The narrative highlights Prabhāvati's role in Vasudeva's rescue and her eventual return.
   • Winning of Eight Girls: This section introduces Hemayasa and her seven cousins, whom Vasudeva encounters and marries after a clever plan devised by Hemayasa.
   • Winning of Meghamala: This tale involves Meghamala, Ghanaratha's sister, whose story unfolds as a statue that comes alive, leading to her marriage with Vasudeva. The narrative emphasizes the magical and divine elements.
   • Winning of Twenty-two Girls: This section details Vasudeva's acquisition of twenty-two wives, including the five Vidyadhara girls and seventeen human girls who were abducted by Ghanaratha.
   • Winning of Viraja: This narrative focuses on Vasudeva's encounter with Viraja, daughter of Prabhanjana, who is rescued by Vasudeva. It also includes the story of Rṣidatta, a hermit's daughter, and her complex life.
   • Winning of Rṣidatta: This is a significant narrative that explores themes of injustice, disguise, and eventual reunion. Rṣidatta's story involves her father, her marriage to Kanakaratha, her unjust accusation and escape, her transformation into a male hermit, and finally, her reunion with Kanakaratha.
   • Winning of Anilayasa: This section details Vasudeva's encounter with Anilayasa, sister of Vayuratha, and her role in his abduction and rescue, highlighting her magical powers and sacrifice.
   • Winning of Vaiduryamala: This narrative introduces Vaiduryamala and her unique characteristics, her marriage to Vasudeva, and the ensuing complications with Anilayasa.
   • Winning of Indrasena: This tale involves Vasudeva's encounter with Ruciradeva and his sister Indrasena, their prediction of marriage, and Vasudeva's return messages to his other wives.
   • Winning of Lakshmana: This story recounts Vasudeva's military victory against Pota, the Licchavi king, and his subsequent marriage to Lakshmana with Indrasena's consent.
   • Winning of Sukosala: This narrative describes Vasudeva's choice by Princess Sukosala in a svayamvara.
   • Winning of Lalitavega: This section details Vasudeva's encounter with Lalitavega, sister of Vayuratha and Anilayasa, and her elaborate magical schemes to meet him.
   • Winning of Citralekha: This story involves the abduction of Citralekha by a demon, her rescue by Vasudeva, and the revelation of her identity as the daughter of King Chitragati.
   • Winning of Harikanta: This narrative features Harivega, a Vidyadhara king, who masters Vidyas through Vasudeva's help, and Vasudeva's marriage to his daughter Harikanta.
   • Winning of Kanakavati: This is a lengthy and complex narrative that includes the story of Nala and Damayanti, Vasudeva's visit to Kanakavati's svayamvara, and the divine intervention of Kubera.
   • Winning of Sagaradatta: This section tells the story of Sagaradatta, daughter of King Mahasimha, her kidnapping, and her eventual marriage to Vasudeva with the help of yakshinis and Kiratas.
   • Winning of Malayasena: This episode describes Vasudeva's alliance with Sagarasena and his marriage to Malayasena, daughter of King Sumukha.
   • Winning of Avantivardhana: This narrative focuses on Vasudeva's rescue of Princess Avantivardhana from a Rakshasa and her subsequent marriage to him.

3. Language and Style: The introduction delves into the Prakrit language used in VM, noting its archaic features and its mix of Maharashtri, Sauraseni, and possibly Paisaci elements, likely due to the preservation of older BK traditions. The editors discuss the complex orthographic variations of intervocalic consonants, the arbitrary nature of scribal practices, and the influence of Sanskrit. The style varies from simple descriptions to highly ornate passages, with dialogues and humorous conversations. The influence of Sanskrit prose kāvyas like those of Subandhu, Bana, and Dandin is noted.

4. Brihatkatha Tradition: A significant portion of the introduction is dedicated to the relationship between VM and the various versions of the Brihatkatha. The editors highlight correspondences between VM, KSS (Kathasaritsagara), BKM (Brihatkatha Manjari), and BKS'S (Brihatkatha Shlokasangraha), suggesting that Dharmasena drew heavily from authentic BK traditions, possibly from a lost Sanskrit version by Durvinita. The presence of two Prabhāvatīs in VH and VM is analyzed, suggesting Dharmasena's attempt to reconcile different versions of the story. The differing perspectives of KSS (focusing on Naravahanadatta's sovereignty) and VH (emphasizing romantic adventures) are also discussed.

5. Date of Dharmadasa Gani: Based on the ornate style, archaic Prakrit features, and Jain Agama vocabulary, the editors tentatively place Dharmadasa Gani around 790 AD.

6. Overall Significance: The publication of this volume is considered highly valuable for Prakrit scholars and students of Jain literature. It provides access to a previously unpublished Prakrit work and sheds light on the complex history and transmission of the Brihatkatha narrative.

In essence, Vasudevahindi Madhyama Khanda Part 1 is a scholarly critical edition of a significant Jain text that offers a Prakrit rendition of the Brihatkatha stories, providing valuable insights into ancient Indian narrative traditions, linguistics, and Jain literary history. The narrative itself is episodic and colorful, typical of its source material, focusing on the romantic exploits and heroic deeds of Vasudeva.