________________
94 Jaina Religion: Its Historical Journey of Evolution
spite of this arrangement, there had been sufficiently pleasant and cordial relationships in the sargha. But later, with the passage of time, this situation could not continue. Where jinakalpis were the centre of respect and honour because of their stringent conduct the sthavirakalpis were able to keep their hold over society or sargha. Later, in their race for authority Jaina religion divided into two main sects which, with the passage of time, came to be known as Digambaras and Svetāmbaras.
The texts of Niśītha, Daśāśrutaskandha, Bệhatkalpa and Vyavahāra-sūtra all authored by Ācārya Bhadrabāhu has clearly given recognition to this dual code of conduct in the form of utsarga and apavāda mārgas or jinakalpa and sthavirakalpa. Whereas in the main Agamas there are only a few indications of apavāda, in the texts of Chedasütras we find detailed discussions on apavāda-märga. And later, the Niryuktis authored by Arya Bhadra and Viseşāvasyaka-bhāsya etc. written by Jinabhadra Gaņi Kşamāśramaņa and Cūrnis written by Jinadāsa Mahattara openly support the apavāda-märga.
It is true that no code of conduct or the process of sādhanā for spiritual upliftment can continue by completely rejecting apavāda-mārga. But there is in inherent weakness in the adoption of this path in that it can lead to an attraction towards
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org