Agam 10 Ang 10 Prashna Vyakaran Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Varunmuni, Sanjay Surana
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

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Sutra, (8) Antakriddashănga Sutra, (9) Anuttaraupapãtik Dashãnga Sutra, (10) Prashnavyõkaran Sutra, (11) Vipãka Sutra, and (12) Drishtivāda Sutra.
In case of Tirthankars with a very long lineage of omniscients as well as a long period of influence, like Rishabhdev, this twelve-limbed canon remains intact for innumerable generations of heads of the order, as a rule. However, where the period of influence is short, like that of Bhagavãn Parshvanath (250 years), the twelve-limbed canon remains intact only up to the second generation of heads of the order, after which the decline starts. In case of Bhagavān Mahavir the knowledge of fourteen Purvas (subtle canons; a portion of Drishtivăd Sutra) was intact till Bhadrabahu Swami, the 9th head of the order in Bhagavãn Mahavir 's lineage. During that period the oral tradition prevailed and the disciples memorized the texts. This tradition of memorizing the canons underwent a continuous decline due to dwindling numbers of Jain ascetics caused by recurring periods of famine combined with the strict code of conduct of Jain ascetics. During one such period of famine in the eastern parts of the country the religious organization broke and Jain ascetics scattered far and wide. Looking at this disorganization and the consequent decline in the corpus of knowledge, the Achāryas (heads of the groups) decided to come together and reorganize the system. It was in Patliputra that the whole organization of ascetics assembled sometime around 160 ANM (After Nirvana of Mahavir). After intense mutual consultations and deliberations the assembled ascetics could reorganize only eleven of the twelve limbs because none of them could recall Drishtivăd Sutra completely including the 14 Purvas. Although Achãrya Bhadrabãhu, an expert of 14 Purvas lived, he was busy in some higher yoga practices in Nepal. The Sangh (religious organization) sent many ascetics including Sthulibhadra to Achărya Bhadrabahu for discourses on the 14 Purvas of Drishtivād. Only Sthulibhadra was prodigious enough to start acquiring this knowledge. However, after learning 10 Purvas Sthulibhadra could not contain himself and used the miraculous powers he had acquired. When Achãrya Bhadrabăhu came to know of this he realized that Sthulibhadra lacked the capacity to contain himself once he acquired special powers. Consequently he terminated his discourses. After much request and beseeching Sthulibhadra was given the text and not the meaning of the remaining four Purvas. As such the com
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