Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006540
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 635
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Culture
File Size: 18 MB

Page 157

148
INTRODUCTION
writer considers that the term 'Pūrva' indicates that the substance of the literature going under that title really belonged to the age of Srī Pārsvanātha which was prior to the age of Sri Mahāvīra. Sri Pārsvanātha was the 23rd Tirthankara and Sri Mahāvīra was the 24th Tirthankara of the Jains. Sri Pārsvanātha's Nirvāṇa was only 250 years prior to the Nirvana of Sri Mahavira. The parents of Sri Mahāvira used to worship Sri Pārsvanātha.* We would refer those who might be inclined to doubt the very existence of sacred literature of Sri Pārsvanatha's time to Sri Mahāvīra's citation of a statement of Sri Pārsvanātha to convince Sri Pārsvanátha's pupils of the truth of his own statement as to the universe having innumerable 'Pradesas' (parts) (See BhagavatīSūtra V Sataka, IX Uddesa, 226th Sūtra.) + Further it appears that in the Jain Scriptures and specially Sri Bhaga. vati Sūtra many Parsvāpatyas or spiritual descendants of Sri Pārsvanātha are described to be well versed in Nimitta Sāstra which belonged to the IX pūrva and some others like Municandrācārya and Nandisenācārya are said to be 'Bahusruta' i, e. possessing much sacred knowledge. This goes definitely to prove the existence of sacred literature and specially Pūrva literature of the age of Sri Pārsvanātha in the time of Sri Mahavīra. It may be noted that when the said Pārsvāpatyas are so described, Sri Mahāvīra had not even commenced preaching having then not attained Kaivalyajnāná or omniscience. A most convincing proof of the existence of sacred literature including Purvas of the age of Sri Pārsvanātha is furnished by the fact that
* See Achārānga II śrutaskandha, Cūla 3 Sūtra 401 "AUTHOP *abit HEVITET B77#1पियरो पासावञ्चिज्जा समणोवासगा याविहुत्था।" + " से नूर्ण भंते अज्जो ! पासेणं अरहया पुरिसादाणीएणं सासए लोए बुइए अणादीए भणवदग्गे परित्ते परिबुडे इत्यादि"पृ.२४८ भगवतीसूत्र x It is believed that Rşibhăşita contains discourses by 20 Rșis who flourished in the time of the 22nd Tirthankara Sri Ariştanemi, by 15 Rşis who flourished in Sri Pärsvanāthaś time, and by 10 Rşis who flourished in Sri Mahāvira's time. This is also evidence of the existence of older sacred literature.