Sabda-Vilasa or Parasinamamala of Mantri Salakya and Mahipakosa of Saciva Mahipa
Summary
The article examines two related works, *Sabda-Vilasa* or *Parasinnamamala* by Mantri Salakya and *Mahipakosa* by Saciva Mahipa, focusing on their manuscript history, authorship, and historical context. The *Parasinnamamala*, a lexicon of names in a foreign language, is preserved in a manuscript from the Sri Nityavijaya Jaina Pushtakalaya, Cambay. The author, Salakya, composed this work in V.S. 1422 (A.D. 1365) at the request of King Hanbhrama of Dhavarana, modern Idar, who is also referred to as Hanbrahma. Salakya's colophon, or *prasasti*, indicates he was a learned scholar who also authored several other works, including a *Suktilaksana*, an *Alamkrticaya*, a *Vaidyagrata-stuti*, a commentary on the *Surya-sataka*, and a poem called *Citrarnava*. The article uses the *prasasti* to establish a genealogical and chronological link between Salakya and Mahipa. A manuscript of *Mahipakosa* preserved at the Oriental Institute, Baroda, contains entries identifying Mahipa as a minister in the court of Nindapidra (modern Nandod) and as the son of Salakya. This manuscript is dated V.S. 1493 (A.D. 1436), suggesting Mahipa's work was composed a few years earlier. The article further identifies Mahipa with the author of *Anekrtha-Tilaka*, a text where the editor had previously misinterpreted the author's parentage. By analyzing the colophon of *Anekrtha-Tilaka* and cross-referencing it with the *Mahipakosa* manuscript and Stein's catalog, the author concludes that Mahipa composed *Anekrtha-Tilaka* around A.D. 1374 and *Mahipakosa* around A.D. 1375. The article also discusses the historical significance of Idar as a center of learning and artistic activity in the fourteenth century, supported by the presence of Jaina manuscript libraries and the patronage of rulers like Hanbhrama.
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Conclusion
This article presents the identification of two significant lexicographical works, *Sabda-Vilasa* (or *Parasina-nāmamālā*) by Mantri Salakya and *Mahipakosa* by Saciva Mahipa, preserved in a single manuscript from Cambay. The study establishes that Salakya, a learned minister possibly of Bania caste, composed his lexicon in 1365 CE for King Hanbhrama of Idar, a center of literary and artistic activity. Furthermore, it demonstrates that Mahipa, a minister in Nandapidra (modern Narmada), was Salakya’s son. This identification is supported by colophons in Mahipa’s *Mahipakosa* and by correcting the editor’s previous misinterpretation of Mahipa’s parentage in the *Anekartha-tilaka*. The findings illuminate a specific lineage of scholarly ministers in medieval Gujarat and provide new chronological anchors for their literary output.