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those who want to know the true nature of Buddhist philosophy. Hence, the second stage of the composition of Jaina Agamas, that is, the age of systematic presentation of the subject-matter is identical with the age of the composition of Angabahya works. And Prajñāpană belongs to this age.
Title-Prajñāpanȧ
The author himself has given the general title 'adhyayana' to Prajñāpanāsūtra22. And the particular title 'Frajñāpanā' follows from the author's statement that he is to undertake prajñāpanā (description) of all the entities in the manner of Lord Mahāvīra.23 So, like the title 'Uttaradhyayana' the complete title of the present work comes to be 'Prajñāpanā-adhyayana'. It is necessary to note that this work has only one adhyayana (chapter) whereas Uttarădhyayana contains so many adhyayanas. At the end of every 'Pada' there occurs a phrase 'pannavanae bhagavatie'. This suggests that among Upangas Prajñāpanā, like Vyakhya-prajñapti, acquired special importance. It seems that epithet 'bhagavatie' is not given to Prajñāpanã by the author himself. It is so because at the end of the work we have this much-'Pannavaṇā samatta'.
Usage and Meaning of the term 'prajñāpanā'
As is said in the Prajñapanã itself (Sü. 3), treatment of jiva (soul) and ajira (non-soul) is meant by the term 'prajñāpanā.' Hence that scripture which describes jīva and ajiva could be called Prajnapana.
Lord Mahavira dreamt ten dreams before he attained omniscience (kevalajñāna). In the description of the third dream Bhagavati points out the results or fruits suggested by it and at this occasion there occurs the following sentence :
'samane bhagavam mahavire vicittam sasamaya-parasamaiyam duvalasamgam ganipiḍagam āghaveti pannaveti parūveti....'(S. 16 U. 6). From this it becomes clear that Lord Mahavira's preaching activity is here described by the verbs 'prajñāpayati', 'prarupayati'. Hence it is natural to describe, on this basis, his preachings by the term 'prajñāpanā' or 'prarupana'. And even the work that is composed on the basis of these preachings can well be given the name 'Prajñāpanā'. So, Arya Syāmācārya has done proper in giving the title 'Prajñāpanā' to his own work.
22.ajjhayanamiņam cittam' gā. 3.
23. uvadamsiya bhagavaya pannavaṇā savvabhāvāṇaṁ..jaha vanniyam bhagavaya ahamavi taha vannaissami' gā. 2-3.
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