History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

SR No.: 006541
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hiralal R Kapadia, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 322
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & History
File Size: 17 MB

Page 170

THE EXTANT ĀGAMAS OF THE JAINAS
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as in Āyāra. Further this work furnishes us with vivid information regarding the well-known 14 dreams, their interpretation, Lord Mahāvīra's grhavāsa, his twelve years' life as an ascetic and his activities for about 30 years since he became omniscient.
In Therāvali we find a list of ganas (schools), their sākhās (branches) and the Ganadharas (heads of schools). This list is borne out by inscriptions of the 2nd century A. D. Vide Dr. Bühler's Epigraphica Indica i (1892) 371 ff., 393 ff. This indirectly shows how far the works codified at Valabhi are genuine. It is true that this Therāvali mentions some of the successors of Bhadrabāhusvāmin; but as it is possilble to look upon that portion as inserted in the original work by Devarddhi Gani at Valabhi it cannot be argued on that account that this Theravali is not a composition of Bhadrabahusvamin. So some other arguments must be advanced to disprove the authorship attributed to him by the Jaina tradition.
In Sāmāyārī we have in prose rules and regulations pertaining to pajjusana or the Lenten period. Dr. Bimala Churn Law says in this connection in his article "The Kalpasūtra” published in "Jaina Antiquary” (vol. II, No. IV, March 1937, p. 82.) :
"This Pajjusana corresponds to the Buddhist Vassa and is divided into two parts the 50 days that precede and the 70 that succeed the 5th of Bhadra, Suklapaksa. The Svetāmbaras observe fast during the former period and the Digambaras during the latter."
This third section which is a code of rules for asceticism, is looked upon by Western scholars as the oldest nucleus, and they opine that Bhadrabāhusvämin does not seem to be the author of all the three sections which have been united to form a whole in the Pajjosaņākappa.
Alexander Cunningham in his Archaeological Survey of India (Annual Reports) III 1873, p. 46 says : "The Kankali Tila has been....prolific....both in sculptures and inscriptions all of which are pure Jaina monuments. On the upper level stands a large Jaina temple dedicated to Jambū Svāmī. 'An annual fair is held at this place."
Amongst these excavations we come across sculptures and inscriptions and it is in the former section that we come across an engraved illustration (24 ft. by 14 ft.). This is what we learn from Epigraphica Indica p. 317, Mathura Sculptures, Plate II, and Cunnigham's Reports for the Archaeological Survey of India XX, Plate IV, 2-5.