Umasvati Vacakas Prasamaratiprakarana-a Study

Introduction

Umasvati Vacakas Prasamaratiprakarana-a Study

Umasvati, reverently adored as Acara Umasvati Vacaka belongs to the galaxy of master-minds of the Jaina literary world holding a preeminent place among intellectuals and saints of the Jaina community.  His contribution to Jaina Philosophy, Religion, Ethics, Logic, Psychology and Cosmology is unparalleled in the lines of Jaina writers.  The position which he occupies among the Jaina authors is of a unique character.  As far as the available literature of the Jainas is concerned, so far he is the first among the Jaina masters to present fundamental principles of Jainism in Sanskrit language.  The credit of introducing sutra1 form in Jaina philosophical literature goes to this author.  This is Umasvati who has first adopted Sanskrit poetic media2 to propagate Jaina philosophy and ethics.  He is the first man who has laid down the solid foundation on which the beautiful palace of later Jainism is erected.  He is the first great writer and saint, who is highly respected and admired by all the sects that developed within the Jaina community.  His profound scholarly writings left unimaginable impact on the later Jainism is erected.  He is the first great writer and saint, who is highly respected and admired by all the sects that developed within the Jaina community.  His profound scholarly writings left unimaginable impact on the later writers nd some of his works, especially Tattvarthasutra and Prasamaratiprakarana, have proved to be a milch-cow for later commentators for quotations.  This at once indicates the authoritative character of his works.