Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 4

SR No.: 008005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 373
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 24 MB

Page 6

came into existence : 11 Angas, 12 Upāngas, 10 Prakirņas, 6 Cheda-Sotras, 2 Sotras, and 4 Mola-Sotras.x Of these, the four Mala-Satras arc considered as the Original Satras or Commandn ents, because they are primarily needed to guide the Jaina Monks in their religious practices. Avasyaka, Daśavaikālika, Uttarādhyayana and Piņda Niryukti (or Ogha Niryukti) are the four Mala Satras. According to Weber, the order or compa sition of these Sotras is this —-(1) Uttaradhyayana (2) Avaśyaka (3) Daśavaikālika and (4) Pinda Niryukti.
Though Āvasyaka Satra is not the oldest of the four Mola Satras, it is the most important of all, as its name suggests. Sāmāyika (Sãmāiya), Caturvimšati Stava (Cauvisattho), Vandanaka (Vandaņayam), Pratikramaņa (Padikkamaņa), Kāyotsarga (Kā. ussayga) and Pratyākhyāna (Paccakkhāņa) are the six divisions of the Avaśyaka Sutra. It should be noted that though all these Satras were dedacted into books by Ganadharas they were originally preached by śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira.*
Bhadrabāhu Swāmi had already written a Niryukti on tho Avaśyaka Sotras and a number of Cornis were also composed by several authors as detailed commentaries on the Avaśyaka Sotra. Still, however, Jinabhadra-gaại Ksamāśramana felt the need of ellucidating the Original Niryukti; hence he wrote & Bhasya or Commentary in gathās or verse on the Niryukti. Since this was an additional Bhāsya to the Niryukti, which itself was a Commcntary on the Avaśyaka Sotra, it was known as Visesāvaśyaka Bhāsya. The whole work runs into 3603 gāthās or verses. It could further be divided into several sub-sections such as Pithikā,
* In addition to these, some enumerate 20 more Prakirņas, 12 Niryuktis, and several more arriving at the total number of 84. Again in order to supplement the information supplied by thosc 84 āgamas, there are several other works known as Nigamas or Upanişads which, in turn, are 36 in all and bring the total number to 120.
Vide mot i fa T TART for foreo TUTETTE TI तस्सामिणा उ निच्छयनयस्स तत्तो जओऽणण्णं ॥३३८२॥
(at fainaFTE 12)