Canonical Literature Of Jainas

SR No.: 022774
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H R Kapadia
Publisher: Hindi Granth Karyalay
Publication Year: 1941
Total Pages: 286
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 26 MB

Page 157

144 THE CANONICAL LITERATURE OF THE JAINAS
[CHAP Jinacariya, the life of Lord Mahāvira occupies the major portion. This is narrated "in great detail, with great diffuseness, with descriptions in the Kāvya style and with exaggerations beyond all measure.” So says Prof. Winternitz in "1 His. of Init. Lit. (vol. II, p. 463). Here the conception, transference of the embryo? and the birth of Lord Mahāvira are described in the same way as in Āyāra. Further this work furnishes us with vivid information regarding the well-known 14 dreams, their interpretation, Lord Mahā vira's yrhavāsu, his twelve years' life as as asectic and his activities for about 30 years since he became omniscient.
In Therävalī, we find a list of yaņas (schools), their sükhas ( branches ) and the Ganadharas (heads of schools). This list is borne out by inscriptions of the 2nd century A. D. Vide Dr. Bühler's Epigraphica Indica i (1892) 371 ff., 393 ff. This indirectly shows how far the works codified at Valabhi are genuine. It is true that this Theravali mentions some of the successors of Bhadrabā.
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The lives of 23 Tirtharkaras are also given here. But they begin with that of Lord Pārsva and go up to that of Lord Rşabha. Out of them, those of Pārsva, Aristanemi and Rşabha are given in English by Dr, Bimala Churn Law in his article "The Kalpasūtra" published in Jaina Antiquary (vol. II, Nos, III and IV). The episode about this given in this Pajjosaņākappa practically tallies in words with one given in Ayara (s. 176). It is presented in a versified form in v, 450, 457 and 458 of Avassayanijjutti. As suggested by Abhayadeva Sūri in his com. on Viähapannatti (v. 3; s. 186 ) it is hero alluded to. This episode is admitted as genuine by the Svetumbaras only. The Digambaras distrust it. But strange to say, it is supported by the oxcavations carried out in the Kankāli țīlā at Mathura. Alexander Cunningham in his Archaelogical Survey of India (Annual Reports) III 1873, p. 46 says: "The Kankali Tila has been... prolific... both in sculptures und inscriptions all of which are pure Jaina monuments. On the upper level stands a large Jaina temple dedicated to Jambū Svāmī. An annual fair is held at this place."
Amongst these excavations we come accross sculpture and inscriptionis and it is in the former section that we come accross an engraved illustration (2) ft. by 19 ft.). This is what we learn from Epigraphic Indica p. 317, Mathura Sculptures, Plate II, und Cunnigham's Reports for the Archaelogical Survey of India XX, Plate IV, 2-5.