Tattvartha Sutra

SR No.: 006796
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sukhlal Sanghavi, K K Dixit
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 596
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Tattvartha Sutra, & Tattvarth
File Size: 10 MB

Page 57

TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA
clothes are renounced-had only disappeared the times being different now. Even so, we find that in the scriptural texts revised, collected and newly compiled by the party of clothes all the passages basic for an advocacy of no-clothing—as also the commentaries favouring the same-have been left intact. Certainly, the strongest proof in support of the fact that the Angic scripture favoured by the party of clothes stands extremely close to its original version is the circumstance that this scripture takes up the standpoint of a general prescription—where all the exceptional or specific ways of conduct advocated by the party of no-clothing stand fully recommended upto this day. On the contrary, the scripture favoured by the party of no-clothing-a scripture advocating the practice of going stark naked-is not of the form of a general prescription; for it exclusively recommends the practice of no-clothing. The scripture pertaining to the party of clothes treats as pathway to mokṣa both the practice of wearing clothes and that of no-clothing—nay, it even attributes real primacy to it; its specificity only consists in its denial of the timeliness of this latter practice. On the contrary, the scripture pertaining to the party of no-clothing does not treat as pathway to mokṣa the practice of wearing clothes-nay, it even considers this practice to be a hindrance obstructing mokşa.2
In view of this all it is obvious that the scripture pertaining to the party of clothes stands much closer to the original Angic sripture than does that pertaining to the party of no-clothing.
The scripture was again revised at Valabhi? after it had been at Mathurā. And whatever difference of opinion was left
1. gana-paramohi-pulāe āhāraga-khavaga-uvasame kappe / samjama-tiakevali-sijjhanā ya jambummi vucchinnā //
Višeșā. 2593. 2. Sarvārthasiddhi declares no-clothing to be the chief and unobstructed cause of mokşa, p. 248.
3. Some time in between 827 and 840 A. M. See Viranirvana Samvat Aur Jaina Kālagananā, p. 110.