UMASVATI
VACAKA’S 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.