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PREFACE : XV
categories 3 - 1. Prophet preached (Tīrtharikara kathita), 2. Selfenlightened preached (Pratyekabuddha kathita) 3. Canonomniscient composed (Śrutakevali kathita) and 4. Those composed by the masters or elders learned in Pūrvas (Pārvadhara kathita). Again, in Mülācara, these canonical texts have been classified as timely studiable – Kālika and any time studiable – Utkālika.
In this way, both – the Ardhamāgadhi and the Sauraseni canonical traditions mention the Prakīrnakas among the two categories of timely studiable and anytime studiable canonical texts.
Prakirnakas –
At present the āgamas are categorised as the Ariga-sūtras, Upānga-sūtras, Mūla--sūtras, Chedasūtras and the Prakīrnakas. We find the very first mention of this classification in the Vidhi-mārgaprapā.“ Generally, “Prakirnaka' means a volume compiled on miscellaneous subjects'. According to Malayagiri, the commentator on the Nandīsūtra, the monks used to compose the Prakīrnakas based on the preachings of the Tīrtharikaras (the Prophets - Propounders of the faith). According to the Jaina definition Prakīrnakas, are those treatises, which are composed, on various spiritual subjects, by the learned disciples of the Tīrtharkaras. It is also believed that the treatises, based on the canonical texts, composed by the learned monks. for the purpose of sermons etc were known as Prakirnakas.
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Mūlācāra, Bhāratīya Jñānapītha, verse 277. Vidhimārgaprapā, p. 55. Agama Aur Tripitaka : Eka Anuśīlana, p. 484. Jaina Āgama Sāhitya : Manana Aur Mīmāmsā, p. 388.
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