ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

SR No.: 007712
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 404
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

Page 387

this work in Hindi have been composed by Hemarāja (Samvat 1700) Rājamallu (Samvat 1716), Hīrācanada (Samvat 1718) and Vidhicanda (Samvat 1891).
About the author Kundakunda, the author of this work, was a very famous Jaina philosopher and theologian. He was also a great organizer of religious institutions. His name is held in great veneration especially by the Digambara section of the Jains. Many great religious teachers claimed honour to trace their lineage from the great teacher Kundakunda. Several inscriptions that are found in south India belong to Kundakundāmnāyaor the line of Kundakunda. Students of Jaina literature are familiar with such phrases as the following: Śrī Kundakunda - gurupatta - paramparāyām, Śrī Kundakunda - santānam, Śrī Kundakundākhyamunīndra - vansa. These are some of the phrases claimed by Jaina writers such as Sakalabhīşaņa, author of Upadeśaratnamālā, Vasunandi, author of Upāsakādhyayana, Brahmanemidatta of Ārādhanā-kathākośa. Instances may be multiplied without number, for showing the important place occupied by our author in the hierarchy of Jaina teachers/preceptors. Some of the epithets employed to characterize him are also significant of his great importance. Sumindra, the Indra among the ascetics, Municakravarti the emperor among the mūnis, Kaundeśa, Lord Kunda, are familiar designations of the great preceptor.
The personality of this great preceptor, as is generally the case with world famous individuals, is lost in obscurity and shrouded with traditions to have a glimpse of this great person. The early history of India is but a string of speculations and even as such there are very many gaps. Under these circumstances, we have to be very cautions about the history of our author.
After many discussions a group of scholars decided 1st century A.D. for the Kunda Kunda's
period.
Works of Kundakunda All the works of Kundakunda are in Prakrit verses which are easy to recite and understand. Prābhítatraya or nāțaka, i.e. the trilogy of Pańcāstikāyasāra, Pravacanasāra, and Samayasāra or Samayasāra-prābhrta, Niyamasāra, Aştapāhu da, Rayaņasāra; Bāraha Aņuvekkhā are the best creations of Kundakunda. All these books have been printed. He is said to have written 84 pāhudas but they are not as yet found in any library.
Page 374 of 385
STUDY NOTES version 5.0