Agam 15 Upang 04 Pragnapana Sutra Part 02

SR No.: 001064
Original Sutra Author: Shyamacharya
Author: Punyavijay, Dalsukh Malvania, Amrutlal Bhojak
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 934
Language: Prakrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Agam, Canon, Metaphysics, & agam_pragyapana
File Size: 16 MB

Page 268

... [239]...
But it is not a part of Samayika-adhyayana alone. Whenever the occasion arises of imparting a lesson of whatever śruta work, salutation to five holy personages in the beginning is always necessary; and hence Pañcanamaskaramantra came to be regarded as a part of each and every Sruta work. Thus it is certain that it is not a part of any one sutra work alone, nor is it ever regarded as an independent sutra work. But its importance was recognised in olden days and with the passage of time it grew more and more. So, it became necessary to give it a place in śruta or sūtra. As a result of it, it ultimately came to be regarded as a part of each and every śruta work. This Pañcanamaskāra-Mantra might have been composed by some one author. Or, it might have evolved in its present form through the passage of time. In his Niryukti Āc. Bhadrabahu has recorded no definite tradition about the authorship of Pañcanamaskara-Mantra. He has only noted the points of investigation through which the exposition of this Mantra should be conducted. Among them the first one is Utpattidvāra. That is, here the discussion on the origination or otherwise of this Mantra is conducted from the various view-points (nayas). But from this discussion we know nothing about the author and date of the Mantra. Therein the question as to whether or not the Mantra has a beginning and an end is discussed from different standpoints, just as it is discussed in regard to the entire śruta literature28. And in his Bhásya Āc. Jinabhadra has devoted much more space to this discussion. Here he mainly discusses, from the philosophical standpoint, the problem of eternality or otherwise of words. The question as to which out of the three causes, viz. samutthāna (readiness, desire), vācană (ural transmission) and labdhi29 (internal capacity) is the main in their origination is also elaborately discussed in the Bhäsya. This discussion too is conducted through the method of nayas.30 Hence the main question pertaining to the authorship and date of Namaskāra-Mantra remains unanswered. Or, generally it can be said that Lord Mahāvira preached it and ganadharas (direct principal disciples) gave it a form of a Sūtra. It is so, because this is what is generally held about the authorship of the entire śruta literature. In short, according to Ac. Jinabhadra the author of Pañcanamaskāra-Mantra is not different from the author of other śruta works, the reason being that it is considered to be a part of each and every śruta work.
But there occurs a discussion on the problem of restoration
28. Avaśyakaniryukti, gā, 644-46; Višeşāvaśyaka, gā. 3335-37 and the Bhāşyaga
thās thereon. Also see Višeşārasyaka, gāthā 3338 ff. 29. Avaśyakaniryukti, gå. 646; Višeşāvaśyaka, gā. 3337 30. Višeşāvaśyaka, gå. 3357 ff.