Deshbhushanji Aacharya Abhinandan Granth

SR No.: 012045
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R C Gupta
Publisher: Deshbhushanji Maharaj Trust
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 1766
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 56 MB

Page 900

According to Jainas, a child should be taught firstly writing, then arithmetic as most important of the seventy two sciences or arts. According to the Jaina legand, their first tirthankar Rishabnath, taught the Brahmi script to his daughter Brahmi and mathematics to his other daughter Sundari. The sacred literature of the Jainas is called Siddhanta or Agama and is very ancient. This literature is equally important for their work on Scientific concepts. In fact, Jainas evolved their own theories and made notable contributions to the science of medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, Cosmology, the structure of matter and energy and even the atom, the fundamental structure of living beings, the concept of space and time, and the theory of relativity.
Ganita sara Samgraha (collection of essence of mathematics) of Mahavira (850 A.D.) is the only treatise on arithmetic and algebra, by a Jaina Scholar, that is available at present. Surya prajnapti and the Chandra prajnapti are two astronomical treatises. The other mathematical treatises by the early Jainas have been lost.
3. AN APPRECIATION OF MATHEMATICS in the words of Mahavira (850 A. D.)
The Indian name for mathematics is Ganita. It literally means the science of calculation or computation. The following appreciation of mathematics is given by Mahavira, in his work 'Ganita Sara Samgraha' (GSS).
"In all those transactions which relate to wordly, vedic or (other) similar religious affairs, calculation is of use. In the science of love, in the science of wealth, in music and in the drama, in the art of cooking and similarly in medicine and in things like the knowledge of architecture.
In prosody, in poetics and poetry, in logic and grammar and such other things, and in relation to all that constitutes the peculiar value of (all) the (various) arts, the science of computation is held in high esteem.
In relation to the movements of the Sun and other heavenly bodies, in connection with eclipses and the conjuction of planets, and in connection with the triprasna* and the course the moon-indeed in all these (connections) it is utilised.
The number, the diameter and the perimeter of islands, oceans and mountains; the extensive dimensions of the rows of habitants and halls belonging to the inhabitants of the (earthly) world of the interspace (between the worlds), of the world of light, and of the world of the gods; (as also the dimensions of those belonging) to the dwellers in hell and (other) miscellaneous of all sorts-all these are made out by means of computation.
The configuration of living beings therein, the length of their lives, their eight attributes and other similar things, their progress and other such things, their staying together and such other things-all these are dependent upon computation (for their due measurement and comprehension).
What is the good of saying much in vain? Whatever there is in all the three worlds, which are possessed of moving and non-moving beings-all that indeed cannot exist as apart from measurement.
1. Antagada Dasao and Anuttaro. Vavaya Dasao. Eng. Trans. by L.D. Bernett. 1907, p. 30. *The triprasana is the name of a chapter in Sanskrit astronomical works, and the fact that it deals with three questions is responsible for that name. The questions dealt with are Dik (direction), Disa (position) and Kala (time) as appertaining to the planets and other heavenly bodies.
आचार्य रत्न श्री देशभूषण जी महाराज अभिनन्दन ग्रन्थ
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