Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 44

Lord Mahavira and His Times
Āgamas seem to have their separate Bhāsas. The Bhāsas on the Bțihatkalpa Sūtra, Vyavahāra Sutra and Nišitha Sūtra are very important as they contain most valuable items of information regarding various topics, especially the life of monks and nuns and the society of those early days.
(c) Chunni
The third category of commentaries is known as Chunnis. Most of the Āgamas contain Chunnis, most of which in their published form are ascribed to Jinadāsagani Mahattara. Out of the extant Chunnis, the Avassaya and Nisiha are most important as they contain an invaluable treasure of information from the point of Jaina history and culture. The Āvassaya Chunni describes some important incidents of the life of Mahāvira and also refers to some important kings and princes contemporary to him.
(d) Ţikā
Haribhadra Sūri (705-775 A.D.) was a distinguished and versatile writer who is known to have written his commentaries on the canons in Sanskrit. His commentaries on Āvassaya, Dasaveyaliya, Nandi and Anuyoga are famous. Silänka Sūri (872 A.D.), Vadivetāla śānti Sūri, Abhayadeva Sūri and others also contributed to exegetical literature in which the commentaries on the Avassaya, Uttaraj jhayana, Bțihatkalpa Bhashya, Vyavahāra Bhashya, Thānārga, Bhagavali, Jambudvipaprajñpti and Kalpa Sūtra are most valuable for the reason that they record various important traditions.
These different types of commentaries on canonical works give detailed information about the life of Mahavira, and other political and cultural aspects of his times. Their motive was sometimes to apotheosize Lord Mahāvíra into a superhuman being by describing him in hyperbolic terms. Though based on tradition, these are still late works and cannot be wholly relied upon unless they are not confirmed by some other independent sources. After critical examination of traditions and legends, these works have been utilised.