Vardhamana Suri's Apabhramsa Metres
By Harivallabh Chunilal Bhayani
Summary
H. C. Bhayani’s technical study catalogues and analyses the poetic metres used in two Jain narrative works by Vardhamana‑suri, the ‘Manorama‑kaha’ and ‘Jugasi‑jinittha‑cariya’. These texts, composed in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries, intersperse Prakrit prose with sections in Apabhramsa—a language stage transitional between Prakrit and early Hindi. Bhayani notes that Apabhramsa passages served didactic and aesthetic purposes, often conveying moral lessons or summarising stories. Drawing on earlier scholarship by L. Alsdorf, he systematically identifies each metre, records its pattern in terms of mātrā (syllabic weight) and notes where it occurs in the manuscripts. The article includes tables listing metres such as Vadanaka, Laghu‑Catuspadika, Rasaka and others, along with the number of occurrences. Bhayani discusses textual irregularities, such as inconsistent verse numbering and variant readings, and provides critical remarks on how these affect interpretation. He also points out instances where metres are mixed within a stanza, reflecting creative experimentation. By documenting these patterns, the study contributes to historical linguistics by showing the metrical diversity of Apabhramsa and offers insights into the evolution of North Indian poetic forms. The article also underscores the importance of preserving and studying Jain narrative literature, which bridges classical and vernacular traditions.
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Conclusion
Bhayani’s meticulous catalogue illuminates an area of Indo‑Aryan literary history that often receives little attention. Understanding the metrical architecture of Apabhramsa not only aids philologists working on Jain texts but also enriches our appreciation of the transition from classical Prakrit to early vernacular poetry. The study demonstrates that even highly specialised technical analyses have broader implications for cultural history.