Jain Journal 1992 04

SR No.: 520106
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 26

214
JAIN JOURNAL
These statements are, it is true, obscure, yet become clear by means of verse 434,8 which they are designed to explain. According to this verse, all three statements are valid merely for the interval between the Jinas. Their significance is as follows:
At the time of Usabba all twelve angas were extant; between Jinas 1-9 only the first e!even; between Jinas 9-16 all twelve were lost; and under or between Jinas 16-24 they were all extant. The twelfth anga was however lost again after Jina 24.
Though these statements appear to establish the fact that the 12 angas are said to have existed as early as the time of Usabha, nevertheless it becomes perfectly plain, from a consideration of their nature, that this claim rests upon an insufficient foundation. The commentator characterizes the degree of the vucchea during the jinaṁtaras, which existed between Suvihi, to Samti, as follows : arhaddharmayārttā 'pi tatra naştā; a peculiar testimony, we may remark in passing, to the result of the activity of each of the seven saints 9-15.
In reference [213] to the vucchea of the twelfth anga (i.e. the dițịhivāa) which happened again after Mahävira, we have additional information derived from tradition.
The fourteen so-called pūrvāņi, cf. Hem. 246-247, which, according to the statements handed down to us, formed a part of this anga and which Mahavira is said to have transmitted to all his pupils (though only one of these, Sudharman by name, transmitted them to a pupil of his own, Jambū, the last Kevalin) are said to have existed for only six generations longer. In consequence of this the six patriarchs in question, namely: Prabhava 3, Sayyambhava 4, Yaśobhadra 5, Sambhutivijaya 6, Bhadrabahu 7, and Sthalabhadra 8, had the honorary title of Śrutakevalin, or cauddasa-puvvi (in the Nandis.), caturdaśapūrvadhārin, pūrvin.
The following seven patriarchs: Mahāgiri, Suhastin to Vajra (Hem. v. 35), knew only ten of the whole number, inasmuch as tradi
8 It runs: purimat ima-atthaddha (atthattha !)-'mtaresu (caturvimśates tirthaky
tam trayovimśatir evāṁtarāņi bhavanti) titthassa na 'tthi voccheu/majjhillaesu sattasu ittiyakalam tu voccheul/4341. Dr. Leumann informs me that the source of these statements is found in Bhagavati, 20.8; cf. also Avasy, 3, 16. padhamassa (jinassa) bārasangan, sesāņikkārasaigasualambho. 9 Cf. Hem. 33-34 : Comm. p 293 in Böhtlingk-Rieu.