________________
LXIV : CANDRAVEDHYAKA PRAKĪRŅAKA
.
identical verses found in the literature of Kundakunda, we are of the opinion that these have been taken in them from Mūlā-cāra and Bhagavati-Ārādhanā.
The nine Prakirņakas mentioned, under various categories, in the Nandīsūtra seem to be of ancient origin. None of these are of a later composition than that of the 3rd or the 4th century AD.
Whether the prakīrņaka literature is looked at from the view of their ancient origin or from that of assessment of their subject matter or from that of its contribution to a person's spiritual progress, it is in no way proved to be lesser importance than the canonical literature. It ihas been the misfortune of the Jaina order that these spiritually valuable works have been considered of secondary importance and ignored.
We have taken the text of this edition of Candravedhyaka prakīrņaka from the 'Paiņnayasuttāim' edited by Muni Punya Vijayaji and published by Sri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya, Mumbai. In most copies of Candravedhyaka, we get 175 verses only and in the copy edited by Muni Punya Vijayaji, too, 175 verses only have been compiled, but in the copy prepared by Muni Catur Vijayaji we get 106 additional verses. These have been given as additional verses in the notes in the present edition. As these additional verses are found in other prakīrņakas such as Mahā pratyākhyāna, Maraṇavibhakti, Āturapratyākhyāna and Samstā raka etc., and as all these prakīrņakas are being translated by the Āgama Samisthāna, we have not not translated them, here, to avoid unnecessary repetition. We have mentioned the additional verses, along with the notes, at the appropriate places.
From the angle of its subject matter, Candravedhyaka prakīrņaka is a treatise devoted to spiritual practice. Mainly, it is
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
