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Preface
NAYA DHAMMAKAHÃO
The title
The present Agama is the sixth Anga of Dwadasangi. It has two Śrutaskandhas. The first is called as 'NAYA' and the second as 'DHAMMAKAHÃO. On combining both the Srutaskandhas, the present Agama has the title as 'NÄYADHAMMAKAHÃO. NAYA' (Jnäta) means examples. and 'DHAMMAKAHÃO' means religious fables. The present Agama has both of historical illustrations and imaginary fables.
In the Jayadhawala the title of this Agama is found as 'Nähadhämmakaha' (Nathadharma-katha). Nätha' means the Lord. 'Nathadhamma-kaha' ie, the dharmakatha expounded by the Tirthankara. In some Sanskrit works the title of this Agama is given as 'Jnātṛidharmakatha'. Acharya Akalanka too has given the title of this Agama as Jnatadharmakatha". Acharya Malayagiri and Abhayadeva Süri give the title of 'Jnätadharmakatha. It is a treatise mainly containing illustrative religious stories. According to them, the first Srutasakandha has illustrations and the second Śrutaskandha has religious stories. Both of them mention the lengthening of the word 'Jnäta"."
The family name of lord Mahavira has been given as 'Jnāta' and 'Nätha' in the Swetamber and Digamber literature respectively. On this basis, some scholars have tried to relate this Agama with lord Mahavira. They hold that 'Jnātadharmakatha' or 'Natha dharmakatha' means the 'Dharmakatha by lord Mahavira. Waber says that the work having fables pertaining to the religion of Jnätṛiwanst Mahavira, is titled as NAYADHAMMAKAHA' But, on the account found in the Samwayanga and the Nandi, the meaning
1. Samawao, painnagasamawao, Sutra 94.
2. Tatwartha Vartika, 1/20.
3. (a) Nandivritti, pages 230-31.
(b) Samawayanga Vritti, page 108.
4. Jain sahitya ka Pitihas, Purwa-Pithika, page 660.
5. Stories from the Dharma of NAYA, I.A., Vol. 19, page 66.
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