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Jaina Grantha Bhandara in Rajasthan
130)
But they are unanimous in calling them the Angas 1.e. limbs (of the body of religion). The number of these Angas is twelve.
According to the Digambara Jainas whole of the Dwādaśānga Sruta is not available and the 12th Anga Ditthivāya only is preserved in parts. But according to the Swetambar Jainas all the twelve Angas except the 12th Anga are available.
All the Āgamas are written in Prākrit which is known as Ārsa Bhăşā i.e. the language of the Rsis or Ardha Māgadhi 1. e. half Māgadhi, the language in which Lord Mahavira himself preached his principles. It is true that the Āgamas which we have today are not exactly the same which were composed several centuries ago, as they have undergone some changes. But such as are available at present confirm to their critical additions prepared under the supervision of Devardhigani Kšamā Sramana a Swetambar Ācārya of the century.
THE ANGAS
The Angas are the oldest parts of the canon. They have older traditions quite intact, without a change Jacobi puts forth the evidence of language and the metres which according to him are archaic. He remarks "I am of the opinion that the first book of ĀCĀRANGA SOTRA and that of the SOTRA KRATĀŅGA may be recokned among the most ancient parts of Āgam literature. The style of both works appears to me to prove correctness of this assumption'."
ACĀRĀNGA SOTRA? is the frst Anga which describes the way of life of of a monk It is dlvided in two sections. The first section is earlier than the second Its written both in prose and verse
The second Anga is the SOYAGADANGA (Sūtra Kratănga) and treats of the precious life of the monks and is mainly devoted to the refutation of heritical opinions.
In the third Anga, the Thānanga (Sthānanga) various themes of religion are dealt with in numerical order. These enumerations sometimes contain parables in a nut shell.
The fourth Anga, the Samvāyanga is in a way continuation of the third, the subject matter of the first two third of the work being arranged in numerical
1 SBC Vol. 12 inter. P. XII Winterditz Op. cit. pp. 435-41)
2
Jaina Grantha Bhandar, Jaisalmes
| SR No. | 011017 |
| Book Title | Jaina Granth Bhandars in Rajasthan |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Kasturchand Kasliwal |
| Publisher | Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra Mandir |
| Publication Year | 1967 |
| Total Pages | 394 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 13 MB |