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The Jaina And Non-Jaina Versions Of The Popular Tale Of Candana-Malayagiri From Prakrit And Other Early Literary Sources
RAMESH N. JANI
THE tale of Naravikrama appears in the Fourth Prastava of Gunacandra's Prakrit work "Mahaviracariya" composed in V. S. 1139 (1083 A.D.). It is about the troubles of Prince Naravikrama, his wife and their two sons who are separated from each other. After much suffering and hardship all the members of the family are happily re-united. During this period of their calamities Naravikrama's wife Silavati's character is also tested. In the end both of them renounce the world.
This very tale has subsequently become greatly popular under the title The Story of Candana and Malayagiri (which are but changed names of Naravikrama and Silavati).
Jain Education International
In the present paper six different versions, five Jaina and one non-Jaina, of the story are studied comparatively. The earliest of the known versions was by Bhadrasena (about 1619 A.D.) and the latest by Samala (later part of the 18th century A.D.) The paper also points out that apart from variations regarding the extent, treatment, poetic merits etc., there are distinct diversions in the central motivations of the narrative. Incidentally, the growth and development of the story. has also been examined.
G.J.V. 15
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