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Vimalsuri
Vimalsuri was a Jain monk of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect. He is best known for his composition "Paumachariyam", the earliest known Jain version of the Ramayana and the oldest work of literature written in Maharashtri Prakrit. Although scholars' opinion and traditional beliefs differ on his timeline, the common belief is that he lived between the 1st and the 3rd century AD.
Very little is known about him, given his timeline. However, his work "Paumachariyam" describes a short Pattavali mentioning him. It mentions Acharya Vijayasuri as his preceptor and initiator, while Acharya Rahu as his preceptor's (Acharya Vijayasuri) preceptor.
According to the Parishishtaparvan, composed by Hemachandra, and the original text of "Paumachariyam", it is clear that Vimalsuri belonged to the Nailakulavamś. Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that until 12th century AD, it was known as Nailakulavamś or Nāgila-kula or Nagendrakula. Later, it continued under the name Nagendragaccha (one of the 84 Gacchas of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujakas) and it altogether disappeared by the 15th century AD. Therefore, without much deliberation, Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that Vimalsuri belonged to the Śvetāmbara sect. Going by his descriptions of worshipping Tirthankara idols in "Paumachariyam", mentions of the Nailakulavamś or Nagendragaccha (which traces its identity to the Śvetāmbara sect), and the use of Maharashtri Prakrit (a language known for non-canonical works of Śvetāmbaras only) for the composition of "Paumachariyam", he is considered to have been belonging to the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect.
The appendix at the end of "Paumachariyam" describe Vimalsuri as a "Purvadhari" (the one who knows the "purvas"). This is corroborated by the Śvetāmbara belief that "Purvadhaaris" flourished for at least a millennium after Mahavira attained nirvana.
On analyzing the text, it is discovered that Vimalsuri possessed a sound knowledge of the Jain literature, Jain cosmology, Jain ethics, and the science of interpreting and analyzing dreams, signs, and omens. According to Dr. Hermann Jacobi, Vimalsuri would have been a sound writer and not a "slavish imitator" when comparing Valmiki's Ramayana and "Paumachariyam". Some passages from "Paumachariyam" also remind one of the Jain Aagams that are followed by the Śvetāmbara Murtipujakas.
Vimalsuri, in "Paumachariyam", identifies himself as a poet by calling his work "Purāņa". It has also been identified as a "Mahākāvya" (epic poem) as it is full of figures of speech such as "Ropaka," "Utprekşā," "Upamā," "Arthăntaranyāsa," etc.
It is considered to be the oldest work of literature in Maharashtri Prakrit.
According to Vimalsuri, this story was told to him by his preceptor, Acharya Vijayasuri. He further mentions that this story has been handed down to disciples in the form of a "list of names" through a succession of Jain monks, starting with Mahavira telling it to Gautama Swami, who, in turn, told it to his disciples and so on.
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Vimalsuri
Vimalsuri was a Jain monk of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect. He is best known for his composition "Paumachariyam", the earliest known Jain version of the Ramayana and the oldest work of literature written in Maharashtri Prakrit. Although scholars' opinion and traditional beliefs differ on his timeline, the common belief is that he lived between the 1st and the 3rd century AD.
Very little is known about him, given his timeline. However, his work "Paumachariyam" describes a short Pattavali mentioning him. It mentions Acharya Vijayasuri as his preceptor and initiator, while Acharya Rahu as his preceptor's (Acharya Vijayasuri) preceptor.
According to the Parishishtaparvan, composed by Hemachandra, and the original text of "Paumachariyam", it is clear that Vimalsuri belonged to the Nailakulavamś. Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that until 12th century AD, it was known as Nailakulavamś or Nāgila-kula or Nagendrakula. Later, it continued under the name Nagendragaccha (one of the 84 Gacchas of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujakas) and it altogether disappeared by the 15th century AD. Therefore, without much deliberation, Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that Vimalsuri belonged to the Śvetāmbara sect. Going by his descriptions of worshipping Tirthankara idols in "Paumachariyam", mentions of the Nailakulavamś or Nagendragaccha (which traces its identity to the Śvetāmbara sect), and the use of Maharashtri Prakrit (a language known for non-canonical works of Śvetāmbaras only) for the composition of "Paumachariyam", he is considered to have been belonging to the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect.
The appendix at the end of "Paumachariyam" describe Vimalsuri as a "Purvadhari" (the one who knows the "purvas"). This is corroborated by the Śvetāmbara belief that "Purvadhaaris" flourished for at least a millennium after Mahavira attained nirvana.
On analyzing the text, it is discovered that Vimalsuri possessed a sound knowledge of the Jain literature, Jain cosmology, Jain ethics, and the science of interpreting and analyzing dreams, signs, and omens. According to Dr. Hermann Jacobi, Vimalsuri would have been a sound writer and not a "slavish imitator" when comparing Valmiki's Ramayana and "Paumachariyam". Some passages from "Paumachariyam" also remind one of the Jain Aagams that are followed by the Śvetāmbara Murtipujakas.
Vimalsuri, in "Paumachariyam", identifies himself as a poet by calling his work "Purāņa". It has also been identified as a "Mahākāvya" (epic poem) as it is full of figures of speech such as "Ropaka," "Utprekşā," "Upamā," "Arthăntaranyāsa," etc.
It is considered to be the oldest work of literature in Maharashtri Prakrit.
According to Vimalsuri, this story was told to him by his preceptor, Acharya Vijayasuri. He further mentions that this story has been handed down to disciples in the form of a "list of names" through a succession of Jain monks, starting with Mahavira telling it to Gautama Swami, who, in turn, told it to his disciples and so on.