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## A Brief Introduction to Karma Literature
This text discusses the study and teaching of Karma literature, particularly the "Prakaran" texts. It emphasizes the importance of studying these texts before delving into the "Aakar" texts.
The "Prakaran" system of Karma Shastra developed and flourished from the 8th-9th to the 16th century CE.
Karma Shastra can be divided into three categories based on compilation:
1. **Prakrit Language:** The earliest Karma Shastra texts were written in Prakrit languages. A significant portion of "Prakaran" Karma Shastra is also written in Prakrit, including commentaries on the original texts.
2. **Sanskrit Language:** As Sanskrit became the dominant language of literature, Jain Acharyas began composing Karma Shastra in Sanskrit. Most commentaries on Karma Shastra were also written in Sanskrit. Some original "Prakaran" texts are also available in Sanskrit.
3. **Vernacular Languages:** These include Kannada, Gujarati, and Rajasthani Hindi. While some "Prakaran" texts exist in these languages, they are relatively few. These languages were primarily used for translations of original texts and commentaries. Digambara authors favored Kannada and Hindi, while Svetambara authors favored Gujarati.
The total volume of available Karma literature is estimated to be around 700,000 verses. The earliest texts date back to the 2nd century CE.