Angsuttani Part 03 - Nayadhammakahao Uvasagdasao Antgaddasao Anuttaraovavai Panhavagarnaim Vivagsuya

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya, Nathmalmuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 32

Preface
NĀYĀ DHAMMAKAHÃO The title
The present Agama is the sixth Anga of Dwādaśāngi. It has two Srutaskandhas. The first is called as 'NĀYA' and the second as 'DHAMMAKAHÃO'. On combining both the Srutaskandhas, the present Āgama has the title as 'NĀYĀDHAMMAKAHĀO'. 'NĀYA' (Jnāta) means examples and 'DHAMMAKAHÃO' means religious fables. The present Agama has both of historical illustrations and imaginary fables.
In the Jayadhawalā the title of this Agama is found as 'Nāhadhāmmakahā' (Nāthadharma-kathā). 'Natha' means the Lord. 'Nāthadhamma-kahā' i.e, the dharmakathā expounded by the Tīrthankara. In some Sanskrit works the title of this Agama is given as 'Inātridharmakatha'. Āchārya Akalanka too has given the title of this Agama as 'Inātadharmakathā'. Acharya Malayagiri and Abhayadeva Sūri give the title of 'Inātadharmakathā. It is a treatise mainly containing illustrative religious stories. According to them, the first Śrutasakandha has illustrations and the second Srutaskandha has religious stories. Both of them mention the lengthening of the word 'Ināta’.3
The family name of lord Mahavira has been given as 'Ināta' and 'Nätha' in the Swetamber and Digamber literature respectively. On this basis, some scholars have tried to relate this Agama with lord Mahāvīra. They hold that Inätadharmakathā' or 'Nātha dharmakathā' means the Dharmakathā by lord Mahāvīra'. Waber says that the work having fables pertaining to the religion of Jnātriwanśī Mahāvīra, is titled as NĀYADHAMMAKAHĀ'." But, on the account found in the Samwāyānga and the Nandi, the meaning
1. Samawao, pa innaga samawao, Sutra 94, 2. Tatwartha Vartika, 1/20. 3. (a) Nandivritti, pages 230-31.
(b) Samawayanga Vritti, page 108. 4. Jain sahitya ka Pitihas, Purwa-Pithika, page 660. 5. Stories from the Dharma of NAYA, I.A., Vol. 19, page 66.