A History of Indian Literature v2.c20.s3.84

v2.c20.s3.84

The Mahābhārata also has repeatedly been adapted by the Jainas. The earliest work of this nature which has come down to us, is the Harivaṁśa-Purāṇa [^2) ] in 66 Sargas by Jinasena, who himself mentions in the concluding verses, that he completed his work in the year 705 of the Śaka era, *i.e.*, 783 A.D. In this Purāṇa not only are the legends of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma told in a Jinisite setting, but Gautama, the pupil of Mahāvīra, is made the narrator of the story, and in many places sermons on the Jaina doctrine are inserted. The legend of Ṛṣabha, the first Jina, is told by way of introduction, and, connected with the story of Kṛṣṇa, we have the legend of Ariṣṭanemi or Nemi, Kṛṣṇa's cousin. Nemi is the 22nd Jina, and wanders around the world preaching. The story of the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas and the descendants of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma is also told. The Kauravas and Karṇa are converted to the Jaina religion. Finally the Pāṇḍavas also become ascetics, and like Nemi, attain to Nirvāṇa.