Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 146

128 STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE samuccaya, sastravartasamuccaya remind us of the Buddhist works of Dinnaga and Asanga, Pramanasamuccaya and abhidharmasamuccaya, respectively; his works Dharmabindu and Yogabindu remind us of Dinnaga's Nyayabindu. The title of the present work reminds us of Vasubandhu's Vimsika and Trimsika. Regarding the two forms of the title, both are grammatically correct. Similar titles we come across in Brahmanical literature also. Simhasanadvatrimsika, "Thirty-two Stories about the Throne", and Vetala-pancavimsatika. "Twenty-five Stories of Vetala", are well known throughout the length and breadth of India. Its contents : Haribhadrasuri chooses to present to his readers the following twenty topics in twenty sets of Twenties. He lists these topics in the first Vimsika called Adhikara-Vimsika : (1) Adhikara-List of the Topics dealt with in WV; 2) LokanaditvaBeginninglessness of the world, 3) Kula-niti-lokadharma-Family traditions and popular customs of the country; 4) Carama-parivarta--the last existence preceding liberation; 5) Tat-bijadi-krama, The Seed, etc., of the Tree of Dharma; 6) Samyaktva-Description of Samyaktva (right faith) from the practical point of view; 7) Danavidhi-- The Mode of Charity (and its three kinds;) 8) PujavidhiThe Mode of Worship; 9) Sravakadharma-The Duties of a Householder; 10) Sravakapratima---The eleven observances of a householder; 11) YatidharmaThe Duties of a Monk; 12) Dvividhasiksa--Twofold Religious Instruction; 13) Bhiksavidhi--The Mode of Begging; 14) Tadantaraya--Unforeseen obstacles in the way of eating the alms; 15) Alocanavidhi--The Confessions of Faults; 16) Prayascittavidhi-Sinful Acts and Atonements; 17) Yogavidhana--The Mode of Yoga, 18) Kevalajnana-Perfect knowledge; 19) SiddhaVibhakti-Categories of liberated souls; and 20) Siddhasukha-Perfect Bliss of the liberated souls. This list of topics is comprehensive and covers some of the most important topics of Jainism. The work, therefore, although short, is comprehensive, and may rightly be described as a prakarana-grantha. The Nature of a prakarana-grantha : The dictionary gives the meanings of prakarana as (i) a subject, topic, (ii) a section, chapter or any smaller division of a work, (iii) a species of a drama with invented plot. These meanings are not relevant in the context of our book on hand. One definition of a prakarana runs as follows: Sastraikadesasambaddham, sastrakaryantare sthitam ahuh prakaranam nama granthabhedam vipascitah 11