Review: A Treasury of Jain Tales
Summary
The article reviews "A Treasury of Jain Tales," edited by Prof. V. M. Kulkarni and published by the Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1994. The primary subject is a collection of 124 select Jain tales translated from Prakrit into English, undertaken by the Prakrit Text Society, Ahmedabad, with financial support from Shri Shrenikbhai Sheth. The main argument is that Prakrit narrative literature is a rich, diverse, and highly instructive tradition that extends beyond mere religious didacticism to encompass a wide spectrum of human nature. To support this, the review details the book's structure and content. The tales are classified into four sections: Legends of Famous Persons, Biographical Sketches, Tales of Wit and Wisdom, and the Twelfth Voyage of the Mikanda Brothers and Other Tales. The editor, Prof. Kulkarni, provides an exhaustive introduction that surveys Jain narrative literature, including canonical works, commentaries, Caritas, Puranas, and Prabandhas. The review notes that the stories feature typical Jain traits such as the inexorable law of karma, extensive descriptions of past and future births, and concluding sermons by a Kevalin. The evidence presented in the review highlights the collection's literary merit. It argues that the stories are genuinely human, exploring themes of temptation, worldly desire, and self-abnegation. The review draws comparisons to Western literature, noting that the story of Brahmadatta touches on heredity akin to the novelist Emil Zola, while the Mikanda Brothers' voyage parallels accounts by Hakluyt and Homer's Circe. Furthermore, the tales are praised for their secular and humanistic elements, reminiscent of Boccaccio or Balzac, and for their psychological depth, featuring complex characters like the poor queen and Princess Malli. The review concludes by affirming that the collection successfully demonstrates the wide, enduring, and multifaceted appeal of Prakrit writing.
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Conclusion
This review highlights the significance of "A Treasury of Jain Tales," edited by Prof. V. M. Kulkarni, as a crucial contribution to making Prakrit narrative literature accessible to a broader audience. The text demonstrates that these stories, while deeply rooted in Jain religious and didactic traditions, transcend purely spiritual boundaries. They offer a rich, psychologically nuanced panorama of human nature, featuring complex characters, secular themes, and sophisticated narrative structures comparable to world literature. The collection effectively challenges the misconception of Prakrit writing as merely religious, revealing its capacity for secular storytelling, social commentary, and profound explorations of human desire, morality, and karma. Ultimately, the volume serves as an invaluable resource for scholars and general readers, showcasing the literary and cultural richness of medieval Jain tales.