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**What is the *Prashnavyakaran* Anga? What does it describe?**
The *Prashnavyakaran* Anga describes one hundred and eight questions, one hundred and eight non-questions, and one hundred and eight question-questions, along with the excellences of knowledge and divine dialogues with Nagas and Suparnas.
**Explanation:**
Mantras like *Angushthaprashna* etc. are called *Prashnas*. The knowledge that reveals auspicious and inauspicious results when asked by the seeker is called *Prashna-vidya*. The knowledge that reveals auspicious and inauspicious results without being asked, through the practice of mantras, is called *A-prashna-vidya*. And the knowledge that reveals auspicious and inauspicious results by asking some questions and not asking others is called *Prashna-prashna-vidya*. All three types of knowledge are described in the *Prashnavyakaran* Anga.
*Sthambhan*, *Vashikaran*, *Uccatan* etc. are called *Vidya-atishya*. And the divine conversation that the seeker has with Naga-Kumaras, Suparna-Kumaras, and Yakshas etc. during the time of acquiring knowledge is called *Divya-samvad*. All of this is described in this Anga.
**547 -** The *Prashnavyakaran* Anga describes in detail the words spoken by various Buddhas, who are knowers of the present and past times, using languages with diverse meanings. It also describes the various teachings of the Acharyas, who expound on *Aamanshadhi* etc. excellences, knowledge, and other qualities, and the state of *Upasham*. It describes the numerous, beneficial, and detailed sayings of the great sages, who are the heroes of the world. It describes the answers given by the *Vidya-Devatas* through the medium of *Angushtha*, *Bahhu*, *Asi*, *Mani*, *Kshoum* (cloth), and *Surya* etc. (symbols).
Many *Maha-prashna-vidyas* answer questions simply by being spoken. Many *vidyas* answer questions that are thought of in the mind. Many *vidyas* reveal the qualities of various *Adhisthata-Devatas* through their specific uses, and through their dialogues, they illuminate various meanings. They amaze the people with their true and double-effecting answers.
The miracles and true words of these *vidyas* create a firm belief in the hearts of people that the *Jina-Tirthankaras* who were the holders of *Dam* and *Sham* in the past, were distinct from the teachers of other religions, and that they were truthful. Otherwise, such true *Vidya-mantras* would not be possible. Thus, the *Prashnavyakaran* Anga describes the various qualities and great meanings of the questions that are difficult to understand and difficult to penetrate, that are accepted by all the omniscient ones, that enlighten the ignorant, that are directly perceived, and that are the answers given by the *Jina-varas*. These answers are declared, shaped, exemplified, and shown.