Agam 30 Prakirnak 07 Gacchachar Sutra

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 32

The Author Of Gacchacara -
21
Except for the Devendrastava, there is no ciear indication available about the authors of the Prakirṇaka texts. Although the mention of Virabhadra, as the author of some Prakīrṇakas such as Catuḥsarana, Äturpratyākhyān, Bhaktaparijñā, etc, is available and he is cited as a direct disciple of Lord Mahāvīra, a careful scrutiny of the subject-matters of these Prakīrnakas reveals that they were not composed by someone contemporary to the Lord. The mention of yet another Viabhadra (circa 1008 AD) is available. Probably, the Gacchäcara Prakīrṇaka might have been composed by this Virabhadra.22 There is, however, no mention of the author's name from the beginning to the end of this work and in the absence of a reasonably firm evidence, the mention of Virabhadra, cited earlier, is only a possibility. To say something conclusively in this context will be a travesty of truth. If we go into the reasons for its author not mentioning his name anywhere in the entire volume, may be we are unable to say anything for certain but it is not difficult to guess the reason for such avoidance. Firstly, the author has, in the very beginning of this work, said that the subject-matter of this work is not an original composition but it is simply being quoted from the ocean of canonical knowledge. It is, therefore, probable that the compiler of such matter might not have considered it appropriate to mention his name as its author. Secondly, in the verse 135 of this work, too, the author has clearly accepted that he had taken the subject--matter of this work from Mahāniśītha, Kalpasūtra and Vyavahärasütra. In our view there must have been this feeling in the heart of this unknown author that the subject matter of this work has been obtained from th works of earlier saints and sages so, how could he be the author. Actually, just like in the canonical works of yore,
21 The Canonical literature Of The Jainas, pp. 22 The Canonical literature Of The Jainas ibid,
PREFACE : XXXI
51, 52. p. 52.