________________
18. THE PAÑCĀSTIKAĀYA :
AN ANCIENT JAIN WORK OF REALITY
- Dr. Anekantt Kumar Jain, New Delhi
The celebrated Jain Acārya Kundakunda (1st century AD) occupies the highest place in the tradition of Jain ācāryas. He belonged to the mula Sangha order. His proper name was Padmanandi. He is popularly referred to as Kundakunda because he was born in a place named Kundakunda in South India. Although he is closely associated with the Digambara sect, his books have become popular among the Svetambaras also in recent decades. For the Digambaras, his name has auspicious significance and occupies third place after Bhagavan Mahāvīra and Gautama Ganadhara in the sacred litany. Kundakunda composed his works in Sauraseni Prakrit. He is credited with the works like Samayasāra, Pravacanasāra, Pañcāstikāya, Niyamasāra, Dvadasanuprekṣā. In the Pañcāstikāya he gives an account of five astikāyas, nine tattvas, and mokṣa. This text serves as a handy introduction to the fundamentals of Jainism.
Jain Education International
1. Introduction.
The Pañcāstikaya (Panchastikaya) is an ancient and important text of Jainas composed in old classical Indian language named 'Prakrit'. Originally it was in 'Saraseni Prakrit' (an important part of the Prakrit language). This work is composed by the famous Jainācārya Kundakunda in 1st century AD. All the works of Sri Kundakunda are in Prakrit verses. But they are easy and beautiful. Prabhṛtatraya or naṭaka, i.e. the trilogy of pañcāstikāyasāra, pravacanasāra, samayasara or samayasara - prabhṛta, Niyamasāra, Astapāhuda, Rayaṇasāra, Bāraha, Aṇuvekkha are the best creations of Kundakunda. All these works have been published.
-
160 -
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
