Sruta Sarita

SR No.: 001940
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 310
Language: English, Prakrit, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Articles
File Size: 18 MB

Page 65

56
16 Parritta
17 Paryāpta
18 Sūkṣma
19 Samjñi
20 Bhavassiddhika
21 Astikāya
22 Carima
23 Jiva
24 Kṣetra
25 Bandha
13 Samjni
11 Bhavya
26 Pudgala
The point worthy of note is that at the end of this treatment occurs, in both the works, the 'Mahāḍandaka'. (Satkha. Book VII, p. 575). As has been already said, Prajñāpanā mentions in Mahāḍandaka, 98 divisions of living beings, while Satkhandagama mentions 78. From the list given above it becomes clear that the points of investigation that are employed in Prajñāpana in this topic are more in number than those employed in Saṭkhaṇḍāgama. This leads us to conclude that the treatment of the concerned topic in Prajñāpanā suggests the fluid stage of investigation while the same in the Satkhanḍāgama suggests the crystalized stage. The crystalized stage that resulted from fluid stage is represented by 14 stages of spiritual evolution (gunasthāna) 14 points of investigation (margaṇāsthāna) and 14 divisions of living beings. (Jivasthāna) which are accepted in the later works.
ŚRUTA-SARITĀ
The real thing seems to be that in the first Khanda named 'Jivasthana' the 14 points of investigation are employed in the investigation of each of the 14 stages of spiritual evolution. But in the second Khanda 'Khuddabandha' the system is changed. Therein the bandhaka (= living being) etc. are treated of through 14 points of investigation. There the discussion is not conducted from the point of view of gunasthāna (keeping in view the 14 stages of spiritual evolution). This is the reason why the style of the treatment of this topic is similar in both the works..
The sthiti (life-span) of living beings is expounded in various ways in the Satkhaṇḍāgama. In the Kālānugama (Book VII, p. 114 ff.) the kalasthiti (life-span) of living beings is expounded through 14 dvaras (points of investigation) beginning with gati. But in the Prajñāpanā it is discussed through 24 divisions