Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 312

Indirect Knowledge
287
teen Pūrvas; otherwise known as Śruta-kevalins. It is said that in addition to Gañadharas, Mabāvīra had 289 Śruta kevalins as his disciples. But, we do not know anything about their works. After them we have Jambū Svāmin, the last saint to attain liberation. He is a well-known figure in the dialogues between him and Sudharman, but nothing is known about his independent works. Jambū is followed by four Śruta kevalins, viz. (1) Prabhava Svāmin, (2) Sayyambhavasūri (3) Yasobhadrasūri and (4) Sambhūtivijaya. Sayyambhavasūri composed Daśavaikālikasūtra which is a digest of the Acārānga and deals with the conduct of a Jaina ascetic. We are in dark about the works of other three.
Then comes Bhadrabābu Svāmin. In addition to some Niryuttis, he is accredited with authorship of the following works :
(1) Pajjosaņākappa, (2) The eighth chapter of Dasa-Suyak. khandha, (3) Vyavahārasūtra and (4) Kalpasūtra.
Sthūlabhadra was the last of Śrutakevalins; but nothing is known about his works.
Now, we come to the list of sages knowing ten pūrvas, Vajrasvāmin was last in this line. But, no work is available written by any of them. Syāma-Sūri is the only one to write the Pannavanā; which deals with all the topics of Jaina philosophy. Droņasūri also who is ascribed with some Samgrahaņis on the Upāngas, is placed with Daśapūrvadharas.
In addition to the above, there are certain works composed by Pratyekabuddhas, the persons who were to attain liberation in the same life. Some chapters of Uttarādhyayana are said to belong to this category. The works known as Paiņnas (Prakirņakas) are ascribed to the disciples of Mahāvīra other than Ganadharas and Pratyekabuddhas. Such disciples were 1444 in number; but, the number of accepted paiņnas is ten only. It is said that Mabāvira at the time of his Nirvāna, recited fifty five adhyayanas dealing with the fructification of punya (merit), fifty five that of pāpa (demerit), thirty six unasked and