Varangacharita

Varāngacharita (Sanskrit: वरांगचरित), or "The deeds of Varānga", is a Sanskrit poetic work (or kāvya) believed to have been composed by the poet Jatasimhanandi in the 7th-9th century CE period. It contains 31 chapters and is associated with Jainism. Although it has not conclusively been established, the author may have been stylistically influenced by Aśvaghoṣa.

Varāngacharita is a novel that covers the life and times of a fictional prince, Varānga, to elucidate the principles and ethics of Jainism. It is in large part a heroic adventure narrative, though discussion of Jain doctrine is woven into the book.

The story begins in Uttamapura, the capital of a fictitious kingdom called Vinita, ruled by King Dharmasena of the Bhoja dynasty. The king has many wives, including Gunavati (his favorite wife) and Mrigasena. The kingdom is rich and well-ruled, and the people are fond of the arts (especially, the theatre). Queen Gunavati has a son, Varānga, who grows to be handsome, brave, compassionate and well-educated in the arts and sciences. When he is of age, matches for him are suggested. He marries Princess Anupama of Samriddhapuri (also a fictitious kingdom) and other women. However, he does not marry another prospective bride, Princess Sunanda, his cousin and the daughter of King Devasena of Lalitapuri.

Varadatta, the disciple of the Tirthankar Neminath, visits Uttamapura and camps in a park. He preaches to an audience that includes the king, Prince Varānga, and many townspeople about nirvana and the obstacles to it. Varānga is much impressed and approaches the disciple-monk for further discourse, which results in Varānga taking the vows of right conduct and becoming a Jain layperson. The king is in turn impressed by Varānga's righteousness and confirms him as the heir apparent. Varānga's brother, Prince Sushena (who is Queen Mrigasena's son), attempts to oppose this conferment accompanied by some other princes, but is blocked by the king's ministers, led by a minister called Dhivara.

When news of Varānga's confirmation as heir-apparent reaches the Queens' assembly, Queen Mrigasena immediately summons her son (Prince Sushena) who informs her that he had opposed the appointment, but was himself checked by minister Dhivara. It turns out that Dhivara is an old ally of Queen Mrigasena and owes loyalty to her. She summons him and demands that he instigate a revolt against Varānga. However, Varānga has grown too popular and powerful, so Minister Dhivara conspires to get rid of him deceitfully.

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