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Rs. 55
Bhadrabāhu's Kalpa Sūtra is the earliest account of the life of the Tirthankaras, the 24th, 23rd, 22nd and 1st-since the arrangement of the book moves back in time — the present work should, in the fitness of things, occupy a unique position. Scholars have divided this work into three Parts, viz., Tirthankaras, Church Leaders and Parjuşaņā. For the present translation, however, it has been divided into seven Parts as follows: Bhagavan Mahāvira, Arhat Päráva, Arhat Aristanemi, Twenty other Tirthankaras, Arhat Rsabha. Church Leaders and Parjuşaņā.
Among the Agamic texts, Kalpa Sūtra belongs to a group called Cheda Sūtras. Going by the contents of these texts, it would appear that they contain rules about personal behaviour and organisational discipline to be observed by the monks. Among the Cheda Sūtras, three names usually go together which are Dasā-kappavavahāra and they are compiled into Orte text called "Srutá Skandha. Kalpa Şjatra is the eighth chapter of the Dasa text.
With certain sects of the Jainas, the reading of the Kalpa Sūtra during the Parjusanā is a must which has contributed to the great spiritual significance of this work.
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