Jain Itihas Series 01

SR No.: 007759
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Benarsidass
Publisher: B Benarsidass
Publication Year: 1902
Total Pages: 98
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 63

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days is no safe argument for the supposition that it never for certain prevailed in former times. We know that the Brahaspatyas are called Lokayatas. It may be that their religion being pleasant found a worldwide acceptance in ancient India though it is altogether extinct now.
Gentlemen, it is a well-known fact that the literature in ancient India was mnemonic. Much of this literature has been lost. The Brahaspatya Sutras existed once. They have been lost. The Sutras of many other schools of philosophy have been lost, and it is therefore, that we know nothing about them. It is only the Vedic literature of ancient India much of which has been preserved by the careful Brahmans. But if the literature of other schools of philosophy has not reached us, and if we know nothing about them except from occasional references to them in Brahmanical writings, we are not entitled to propound our own theories about the extent to which they prevailed in ancient times. We know in our own case that our Shastras were reduced to writing after the time of Asoka, but that our verbal literature existed. before him admits of no doubt. The Jains were not / so careful as the Brahmans in preserving their traditions. Thus, much of our ancient lore is lost. Or it may be we may be able to discover Shastras hitherto unknown throwing light upon our ancient history. But that Our Shastras were reduced to writing after Asoka is no argument to suppose - that the Jains had no literature upon which these