Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 212

The Unknown Pilgrims
Ages, from the VIIth century onwards. We shall find the information we require by taking a brief look at the Niśitha-cūrṇi. Next, we shall return to the Bhaṭṭārakas whose documents of this region produce some names of aryikās between the XVth and XVIIth centuries. Finally, after the extremely flourishing period during and after the Musulman invasions, there took place among the Svetambaras two reforms, one after the other, the first being an effort of purification and the other an attempt to revert to the primitive ideal.
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a) The Niśitha-curņi
A cūmi, from cura, pulverised, reduced to powder, is a detailed commentary upon an Agama in Präkrit-Sanskrit prose. The Niśithacūrṇi is an elaborately detailed text, with descriptions pertinent to every sphere of life, political, social, literary, artistic, educational and religious. The Nisitha is one of the Agamas belonging to the Chedasūtras, which deal with rules of conduct for nirgranthas and nirgranthis and with the various prayaścittas or forms of reparation for offences committed.161 Its curi while adhering to the contents and aim of the Sūtra, discourses at some length on the conditions of life prevailing around them, for the munis and sadhvis were living in contact with society. It was necessary, therefore, not only to forestall strains and stresses with regard to the rules, but also to acquire skill in foreseeing possible exceptions such as would prevent faults. This curi, recently published, has been the subject of a remarkable study.1
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Its author is Jinadāsa Gaṇi who probably lived towards the end of the VIIth century. While he refers to earlier tradition and mentions places in the East and the North, he lived, certainly, in Gujarata and visited both the surrounding areas of Mahārāṣṭra and also Konkana (the region of Goa). Certain indications, such as certain turns of phrase that he employs, make it fairly clear that he himself must have belonged to Gujarāta or, at the least, that he wrote his text in that
161 Cf. P 513.
162 It was published for the first time in 1969, and the study thereon in 1975: M. Sen, A Cultural Study of the Niśitha Curni; the sub-section which follows draws upon this study.