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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
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Alsdorf, p.8. Mohanlal Mehta (after Muni Punyavijayaji), however, states that bhis Bhadrabahu happens to be the brother of the grcat astrologer Varahamihira and hence is placed between 500-600 V.S. Vide Jaina Sāhilya kā Brhad Itihāsa (Hindi) (Part III), Varanasi, 1967, intro., p.9. Only this date can synchronize with the Maitraka ruler Dhruvasena's date. This alternative, seemingly providing a more valid date, is based on computing at B.C.477 the Nirvana of Mahavira. A History of Canonical Literature of the Jains, Surat 1941, p. 123. (However, most historical synchronisms are possible if B.C.477, in lieu of B.C.527, is taken as thc date of Nirvana of Mahavira.) . M.A.Dhaky recently has narrowed down this bracket to c.A.D.550- 660, just as curnis to c. A.D.600-700. Alsdorf obscrves that the amount of Sanskrit in a cūrni indicates its relative age - the more Sanskril the later the cūrni : “Jaina Exegetical Literature, p.8. Somc commentators, however, have rendered the Prakrit narratives in Sanskrit. Alsdorf, p.8. Part II, Ratlam 1937. (i) Part I, Ratlam, 1928. (ii) Vide also Avasyakasūtra (Part III), Surat 1936. Op.cit. Op.cit. Kapadia, The History of the Canonical., p.89. Ibid., p.189. In fact there is hardly any cūrni on any agama which can be said to precede its bhāsya.
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