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in the Sutras as far as possible by resolving the differences in Sutras. Of course, the most important differences were documented in Churnis and Tikäs. This task was accomplished 980 years after Bhagawan Mahävir's Nirvana. After that event, the text of most of the Agam works available at present was finalized to the present time. Jain Ägams Both the Shvetämbars and the Digambars unanimously agree on the point that the Purva works have become extinct. There are several works, which refer to the Purvas. The Shatakhand-agam and the Kashaya-präbhruta have been composed by the Digambar Acharyas on the basis of the Purva works. Many literatures recognized as Agams by the Shvetämbars also have their source in the Purvas. Purvas There are fourteen Purvas and they are huge. The First Purva is written with a volume of the ink that is equivalent to the size of one elephant. The Second one is two times larger, and third one is two times larger than second one and so on. Here is the list and its subject matter:
No. Name of Purva
Utpäd Purva: 02 Agräyaniya Purva:
01
03 04 05 06 07
Subject matter | Living (Jiva), non-living (Ajiva), and its modes (Paryaya) Nine realities (Navatattva), six substances (Shad Dravya), etc. Relating to energy of soul, non-living, etc. Multiplicity of views (Anekäntaväda), Sapta-bhangi, etc. Five types of Knowledge and three types of ignorance, etc. Truth, Restraint, Silence (Maun), Speech, etc. Analysis of soul from different angles (Naya) Karma, its bondage, its nature, fruition, balance, etc. Giving up (Pachchakhän), restraint, detachment, etc.
06
Virya-praväd Purva: Astinästi-praväd Purva Jnän-praväd Purva Satya-praväd Purva Ätma-praväd Purva Karma-praväd Purva Pratyakhyan-praväd Purva Vidyä-praväd Purva Kalyan-praväd Purva Pränaväy Purva Kriya-vishäl Purva Loka-bindusär Purva
09
10 11
Expertise (Vidya), exceptional abilities, practice, etc. Spiritual alertness (Apramäda) and laziness (Pramäda)
12
13
Ten types of life substances (Präna), life span, etc. Art, 64 arts of women, 84 arts of men, etc. Three parts of universe, mathematics, etc.
14
Anga-pravishtha Ägams There is no difference of opinion among the Jain sects on the point that the basic source of the entire Jain literature is a group of twelve Anga works composed by the Ganadhars. The Digambars maintain that within a period of time after the Nirvana of Tirthankar Mahävir, the Ägam preached by him have not been remembered in its entirety by Jain Shraman. However, the Shvetämbars tried to preserve the Agams. Having compiled them, they found many things, which have come down from ancient Acharyas through oral tradition included in the Jain Ägams.
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