Vasudevahimdi: A Cultural Study

Vasudevahimdi is an important romantic norvative In Maharashtri prakrit written by Sanghadasgani Vacatkra. This religious narrative is not only important because of the form of Maharashtri but also because it happens to be earliest available version of the Brihatkatha of Gunadhya. The work has been studied extensively by eminent scholars to reconstruct the core of the Brihatkatha and for the understanding of the Jain Prakrit. This Jaina work, virtually of the time of the final redaction of the Svetabana Canon is also important from the point of view of the reconstruction of cultural life of India in the 6th century A.D.

The present work incorporates study of the so-called madhyama khanda composed by Dharmasena Mahattara. Through this portion is inserted in the main body of Vasudevahimdi at a later date, together the whole text offers a panorama of the cultural life of India during 6th to 9th century A.D.

The study of Vasudevahimdi not only closely acquaints one with developments and changes in religious life of the Jaina community during the cynical centuries between 6th and 9th century but touches upon various aspects of Indian culture, viz. social customs, economic conditions and fine arts like dance, music, painting and architecture. It sheds welcome light on the then prosperous trade of India with south-east Asia and other foreign countries. The work is a major tool also in the reconstruction of the history of material culture of India.

It is for the first time on this date has been meticulously culled and presented. Such a study is much more important as the 'Madhya-makhanda' of Dharmasena still remains in manuscript form. A similar study by the author of the kuvalaya mala of Uddyo tanasiri has already been published by the Nagpur University (1974).

Dr. A.P. Jamkhedkar (b. 1939) gradu ated from Poona University with classical Indian languages as his main subject (B.A. Sanskrit & Ardha magadhi 1958; M.A. Sanskrit linguistics 1960). He worked for his doctoral thesis in the Deccen college Post-Graduate and Research Institute and was awarded Ph.D. degree (1966) for his dissertation on Vasudevahimdi.

Dr. Jamkhedkar was initiated in field of archaeology at the Deccan College and participated in excavations con ducted by the Deccan College, and the Department of AIHC and Archaeology of the Nagpur University. While he was working on the Staff of the Department of Archaeology, Nag pur University (1968-77) he was awarded a Fellowship by the Dutch Government. During his stay at Amsterdam (1971-72) he studied south east Asian Archaeology under Prof. van Lohuizen in the Institute voor zuidziatiche Archaeologie of the University of Amsterdam.

Since 1977 his taking over as Director of Archaeology and Museums (Maha rashtra State) he has been busy in exploring and excavating sites of Megalithic and Vakaterka period.

Vasudevahimdi: A Cultural Study was submitted to the Poona University as a dissertation for Ph. D. degree. The same is being published here after certain modifications in more or less the same form. I am indebted to Professor S.B. Deo, my guide and Professors A.N. Upadhye and Vaidya for many useful suggestions. Prof. J.C. Jain has made a significant contribution in the study of Vasudevahimdi by comparing the text with that of Brhatkathasloka Sangraha, Brhatkathamañjarī and Kathasaritsägara. But as that is mainly concerned with the development of the Brhatkatha and its different reclusions it does not fall mainly within the scope of the main object of this study, viz. the cultural study of the Vasudevahimdi.

I express my thankfulness to Professor Deo for allowing me to dedicate this work to him; and to my friends for their encouragement. I am thankful to the authorities of the L.D. Institute who placed at my disposal the MS. of Madhyasrakhanda. The study of Vasudevahimdi would have been incomplete without the data from this important manuscript. I am thankful to the authorities of the Poona University who kindly gave permission to publish this work. I am thankful to Dr. M.S. Nagaraja Rao, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi and Dr. Kirit L. Mankodi of Bombay for their encouragement. It is due to the enthusiastic interest of Dr. Agam Prasad that the work could be published neatly in such a short time. I am thankful to him and his staff who have seen the book through the press.

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