Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 69

Prākrta Canons : 47
as given by Malaygiri31 : 2 feet
Ācārānga and Sūtrakrtānga 2 hands Anuttaropapātika and Praśnavyākarana 2 thighs Sthānānga and Samavāyānga 2 knees
Vyākhyāprajñapti and jñātādharmakathā 2 body-halves Upāsaka and Antakrddaśā 1 Neck
Vipāka-Sūtra 1 Head Drstivāda
This personification of Sruta suggests its basic importance for human upliftment.
The details of these twelve canons are given in Table 5 a according to both the sections where Samavāo order is followed. This description is somewhat different from Jaina Sāhitya Sansodhaka, Vol.1, p. 108 and is based on Journal of Bhandarakar Oriental Research Institute referred by Doshi32. The Digambaras have only the description about contents and the number of padas ( 1/4 gāthā of 32 letters ). In contrast, the Svetāmbaras have more details about the sections, chapters and sub-chapters in addition. We find that there is a good amount of difference in the number of padas found in both the versions, specially in the 6-11 Angas. The Svetämbara version had the padas in terms of numerable thousands or lacs (N T or NL) while the Digambaras have them by definite numbers. Despite the fact that both the versions agree on the memorical loss of Drstivāda only, the Digambaras give the number of padas for it. It has been suggested that the mention of number of Padas of every Anga (or for any text) was necessary for making payments to the copiers33.
Besides Drstivāda, there is also something to be said about the tenth Anga - Praśnavyākarana, the current form of which does not conform to the contents in Samavāo. It is felt that the available version is a sufficiently later corruption. One is, therefore, unable to justify its present inclusion and enumeration in the Anga canons. It may satisfy the tradition but not