Uttarapurana

Uttarapurana 9th-centuryJain text by AcharyaGunabhadra
Author	Gunabhadra and Jinasena
Original title	उत्तरपुराण
Language	Sanskrit
Series	Mahapurana (Jainism)
Subject	Jainism
Genre	Epic poetry
Published	9th–10th century CE
Publication place	India
Preceded by	Adipurana

TheUttarapurana (Sanskrit: उत्तरपुराण) is a majorJain text composed in Sanskrit, forming the second part of the largerMahapurana (Jainism) in theDigambar tradition. It was begun by AcharyaJinasena and completed by his disciple AcharyaGunabhadra in the 9th–10th century CE.^[1]

The Uttarapurana narrates the lives of the last 23 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras, beginning with Ajitanatha (2nd Tirthankara) and concluding with Mahavira (24th Tirthankara). Each Tirthankara’s life is presented as an ideal model of spiritual progress, emphasizing the Jain principles of renunciation, non-violence, and liberation.

The text continues the narrative framework established in Jinasena’s Adipurana, which was dedicated toRishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara. WhileAdipurana focused on cosmology and early Jain figures, the Uttarapurana completes the mytho-historical cycle.

The Uttarapurana was started by AcharyaJinasena but left incomplete at the time of his death. It was completed by his disciple AcharyaGunabhadra, who was also a student of AcharyaGunasena.^[2]

Together, theAdipurana and Uttarapurana are collectively referred to as theMahapurana (Jainism), one of the most revered narrative texts in Jain literature.^{[original research?]}

The Uttarapurana had a significant impact on laterJain literary and philosophical works. Its poetic form and devotional tone inspired many subsequent writers inSanskrit,Kannada, and other Indian languages. It also played a role in spreading Jain values among the royal courts and lay communities of South India during theRashtrakuta period.^[3]

• ⁠Adipurana
• ⁠Digambara
• ⁠Gunabhadra
• ⁠Jinasena
• ⁠Mahapurana (Jainism)

• Jain, Pannalal (2015),Uttarapurāṇa of Āchārya Guṇabhadra,Bhartiya Jnanpith,ISBN 978-81-263-1738-7
• Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998) [1979],The Jaina Path of Purification, Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass,ISBN 81-208-1578-5
• ⁠Dundas, Paul.The Jains. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2002.
• ⁠Jaini, Padmanabh S.The Jaina Path of Purification. University of California Press, 1979.
• ⁠Upadhye, A. N. "Jinasena and His Literary Contributions." In: Jaina Sahitya aur Itihasa. Mysore University, 1965.

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