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________________ JAINA LITERATURE OF THE NORTH known as the Bhadiabahavi-Samhita-an astronomical work-and the Uvasaggaharastotra, an ode to Parsva. However it is doubtful whether the Bhadrabahu of the Samhita and of the Niryuklis mentioned above are one and the same person. Besides its being of the same character as the other Samhitas, this BhadrabahaviSamhita is not cited by Varahamihira, who names amongst his numerous authorities another Jaina astronomer, Siddhasena, and consequently it is more modern than Varahamihira. To quote Jacobi, "At any rate, its author cannot be the same Bhadrabahu who composed the Kalpa-Sutra, because its last redaction, the date of which (980 A..-A.D. 454 or A.D. 514) is mentioned in it, was already earlier than, at least contemporaneous with, Varahamihira -not to speak of its composition" 3 As for the Uvasaggaharastotra, the tradition about its composition by Bhadrabahu is based on the following verse: उत्सग्गहरं पुत्रं काज जेण संयकमाणं / करुणापरेण विहिरं स भवाहू गुरू जय // " Victory to Guru Bhadrabahu, who by composing the Uvasaggaharastotra bestowed, out of pity, happiness on the Sangha." With regard to the contents of the Stotra it is a hymn in veneration of Lord Parsva. This is clear from the last verse of the Stotra, which runs as follows: "Thus praised Glorious one! with a heart full of mighty devotion, Parsva! mayest thou, O God! therefore, give perfect wisdom in every birth, Moon of the Jinas.". As to its composition by Bhadrabahu, Jacobi believes that if that is granted, it is the oldest specimen of the now extensive literature of Jaina hymns.5 Besides Bhadrabahu's there are many other independent works, but we shall limit ourselves to a few of the most important of them Of these the first to draw our attention is the Upadesamala of Dharmadasagani, who is claimed by the Jainas to be a contemporary of Mahavira. The text contains moral instructions for laymen as well as for monks, and its popularity is witnessed by 1 Kern, Brhat Samhita, Pre, p 29. * Jocobi, op cit, Int, 14" "For the tradition of the Digambaras about Bhadrabahu II and the legendary story of the Svetlimbaras about Bhadrabhu and Varahamihira 800 zond, pp 18, 80 Vidyabhusana, Medical School of Indian Logic, pp 5-6 Kalpa-Sufra, Subodhiha-Tiha, P 162 + Cy. Jacob, op cit, Int , p 13 * CJ Dharmadasagant, Upadesaunala (Jaina Dharma Prasuraka Sabha), p 2 ci bid ,p 12 239
| SR No. | 011067 |
| Book Title | Jainism in North India |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Chimanlal J Shah |
| Publisher | Longmans Green and Compny London |
| Publication Year | 1932 |
| Total Pages | 66 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 3 MB |