PrasamaraTiprakarana is a Work of Umasvati

It is undoubtedly certain that Prasamaratiprakarana is from the pen of the same author who has written Tattvarthasutra with Svopajnabhasya. Its language and line of thought bear such a remarkable similarity with T. S. that it is very difficult to believe that they are from the pen of a different author. Parallel lines are found in several places, certain lines are bodily lifted from one work to another. This is clearly indicative of spontaneous outcome of the same author.30 Secondly, almost all the eminent writers and commentators of Svetambara sect have recognized Prasamarati as a work of Umasvati and they quote profusely many verses from it in support of their content. Jinadasamahattara (7th A. D.) a great writer quotes 120th verse from Prasamarati in his Nisithacurni31 after saying that Acarya said so. Siddhasengani (8th A. D.) commenting on Tattvarthasutrabhasya clearly mentions that the same thin is explained by the same author in his Prasamarati.32 He quotes many verses from Prasamarati to defend his view.33 Haribhadrasuri (8th A. D.) known as Yakinisunu, recognized as a gigantic scholar and commentator quotes two verses from Prasamarati in his commentary on T. S. bhasya by saying that it is said by the same author in other treatise.34 Abhayadevasuri (10th A. D.) commenting on Sanmatitarkaprakarana quotes a verse from Prasamarati to show that his view is supported by Umasvati Vacaka.35 Again, another well known writer Sri Santisuri in his Dharmaratnaprakaranavrtti attributes Prasamarati to Umasvati,36 and quotes 16 verses from it in different contexts.37 These evidences suffice to lead us to the definite conclusion that Prasamarati is recognized right from the beginning as a work of Umasvati.

This work of the learned author is one of the masterpieces on Jaina Ethics, Philosophy and Religion. It is a compendious work covering the quintessence of Jainism in a convincing manner. This work holds a unique place in the old Sanskrit Jaina literature. Unlike the Tattvarthasutra which is purely philosophical in its nature, the Prasamarati is an ethico-philosophical text of more popular nature addressed to the monks and laymen alike. By the nature of its contents and easy language of the verses, it is studied with utmost devotion by Jainas. It is a sourcebook of religious inspiration and spiritual solace for thousands of spiritually minded people.

This work contains 313 verses in lucid Sanskrit in Arya metre and is divided into 22 chapters known as adhikaras,38 covering almost all the important doctrines of Jainism.