Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

SR No.: 001597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 460
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Language
File Size: 22 MB

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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
heavenly abode of higher status with longer life-span and greater happiness, and complete annihilation leading to salvation. Had not the Jaina thinkers conceived these minutely graded and named heavenly abodes, the Jaina doctrine of Karman etc., could not have been interpreted and explained through the narratives effectively to the common lay followers. To heighten the effect of such edification in a certain context, the author summarises the importance of righteous life by quoting an ancient Prakrit verse and enumerating all the 16 kalpas, 9 graiveyakas, 9 anudisas and 5 anuttaras and thereby inspiring the readers or listeners towards the imposing Devaloka through their good conduct."
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Then, in Story No. 17, after describing a horrible violent act of one Skandakumara, the author convincingly narrates how the culprit died and was reborn straightway in the 7th hellish region with the life-span of 33 Sagaropama years and how it required for him the total period of 91 Sāgaropama years to be spent in all the 7 hellish regions one after another after successively being born as a lower being (tiryak) each time, before he was born as a jatayu bird, which coming in contact with Padma and reciting the pañca- namaskāra mantra, died and was reborn in heaven 12 Without such a conception of graded and minutely worked out hellish regions, the Jaina theory of retribution could not have been better explained to the common people. To heighten the effect of his narration, in a certain context, the author quotes the following Prakrit versel and further describes the awful sufferings of the hellish beings14 as if to desist them from
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committing impious deeds: Acchinimilaṇamettaṁ ṇatthi suhaṁ dukkhamev anubaddhaṁ.
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Nirac niraiyanam ahannisam paccamāṇānam.
Further, in some other context, the author quotes the following Prakrit verse of immense ethical value as a part of a sermon by sage Abhayaghosa :
Pāvena nirayatiriyam gammai dhammeṇa devalogam.
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