Name, Content and Structure
Gāhāsattasaī (=Gāthāsaptaśatī) or Gāhākosa (=Gāthākośa) is a collection of short poems prominently authored in love and marriage in villages of countryside as well as wisdom bites. This work is attributed by Sātavāhana (aka Hāla) who reigned the part of India now known as Maharashtra around the 1st century C. E. All the couplets are set āryā or gāthā metre and are composed in Mahārāṣṭrī Prākṛta.
सत्त सताइं कइवच्छलेण कोडीअ मज्झआरम्मि। हालेण विरइआइं सालंकाराणँ गाहाणं॥१।३॥
Among a crore elegant poems, Hāla, the patron of poets has collected seven hundred of them.
It is said that out of the one crore gāthā-s, Hāla selected seven hundred and presented it in form of Gāhāsattasaī. This work consists has been divided into 7 śataka-s.
Publication
This work work was very famous across the Indian sub-continent that the manuscripts were available nearly everywhere. The first critical edition was produced by Albrecht Weber based on 17 manuscripts. An edition was prepared and published under Kāvyamālā Series No. 21 by Nirnay Sagar Press. English translation by Peter Khoroche and Hermann Tieken has been published by State University of New York Press. Hindi Translation by Vishwanath Pathak has been published by Parshwanath Vidyapeeth (Varansi).
Legacy
Various similar works followed with time. The Āryāsaptaśatī by Govardhana is inspired from Hāla's Gāthāsaptaśatī as he says:
वाणी प्राकृतसमुचितरसा बलेनैव संस्कृतं नीता। निम्नानुरूपनीरा कलिन्दकन्येव गगनतलम्॥
The speech of Prākṛta, gentle and free, Is drawn to Saṃskṛta's majesty; Just as Yamunā, serene and deep, Rises to realms where the skies meet.
Vemabhūpāla, a 15th century king of Komāragiri, authored Saptaśatīsāra which presented an abridged edition of Gāhāsattasaī along with a commentary Bhāvadīpikā.
Bihari Lal who composed Sattasai in Hindi (1664 C. E.) has received great popularity and appreciation.
Commentaries
Various commentaries have been authored on this momentous work. These include:
Published
- Chekoktivicāralīlā by Bhuvanapāla
- Bhāvaleśaprakāśikā by Gaṅgādhara Bhaṭṭa
- Gāthāsaptaśatī Prakāśikā by Pītāmbara (Canto 4-7)
Unpublished
- Caturthikā
- Tātparyadurgabodhinī
- Sāroddhāra
- Vivaraṇa by Kulanātha
- Tātparyaṭīkā by Mādhavabhaṭṭa
- Commentary by Jahlanadeva
- Commentary by Vrajarāja Dīkṣita, etc.
[Data on commentaries has been traced from Jinaratnakośa and NCC].
Significance
The Gāhāsattasaī stands as a remarkable testament to the richness of Prakrit literature. Its influence extended far beyond its time, inspiring generations of poets and scholars across the Indian subcontinent. The work's accessibility through translations and commentaries continues to make it relevant for modern readers and researchers interested in classical Indian poetry.
Conclusion
The Gāhāsattasaī remains one of the most celebrated collections of Prakrit poetry, offering insights into the cultural, social, and literary traditions of ancient India. Its themes of love, wisdom, and rural life continue to resonate with readers today, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of Indian literature.