Universal Values of Prakrit Texts

SR No.: 006701
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Prem Suman Jain
Publisher: Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth and Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 368
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 125

second type. Of each primary type there are four types. The Nijjutti enunciates the four types. their sub-types and the varieties of the last sub type 'hetu' just in the manner of the Țhāņa. However, the Nijjutti has an edge over the Thāņa. Here each of the sub-types, and sub-sub-types, is substantianed with exemple-stores, indicated just by referring to the main characters, showing thereby that these were current and popular at the time of the composition of the Nijjutti, so much so that mere hint was enough for the listener / pupli to recollect the story. Among examples referd to, there is one of the puņdarīkanāya too, which constitues the first lesson of the second book of Sūyagada' the second anga. Numerous other exampled are extant in the post-Agmic didactic tales.
The sixth anga of the Ardhamāgadhi Agamas is called ‘Nāyādhammakahāp', The commentator, Abhayadeva, explains the title as,' ņāyāņi' ttijñātāni-udāharaṇānīti prathamaḥ śrutaskandhah; dhammakahāo' tti dharmapradhānāḥ kathāḥ dharmakathā iti dvītiaḥ.
Now, there is nothing specific in the second śrutaskandha, which narrates the legend of goddess kāli, and similar others, annexed to it, to justify the epithat 'dharmakathā' to distinguish it from the nāyas of the first śrutaskandha, which too, though projected as a collection of nāyas, is not altogether empty of the dharmakathā!. Then the first śrutaskandā itself can justify the title. Relegious Tale of the ‘Nāya-type', i.e. 'example-stoires in support of religious principle and practices.
Some of the stories of the 1st śrutaskanda are wholly and obviously example in support of religious principles and practices, while others are long tales to which the exemple-element is pinned somewhere. Sanghāțaka (2), Andaka (3), Kūrma (4),Tumba (6), Rohiņi (7), Mākandī (9), Candramā (10), Dāvaddava (11), Udaka (12), Nandīphala (15), Akīrza (17), Suṁsuma (18), and Puņdarīka (19) belong to the first category; and the rest, Utkṣipta (1), Sailaka (5), Mallī (8), Mandūka/ Dardura (13), Teyalīsuta / putta (14), and Avarkankā (16), to the second.
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