Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 54

.... ĂTMĂ -
The Self....
All the knowledge was carried onward from generation to generation and from Preceptor to Preceptor by the faculty of Oral Transmission.
At the end of the 4th period of countless years of the descending 'Kālacakra'-time-wheel and with the beginning of the 5th period (5th and 6th are only of 21,000 years each) the faculty of Oral Transmission rapidly diminishes. No more of Omniscient knowledge and Vision, there is continuous decline in moral and religious values and standards. There is destruction by men and nature. There are natural calamities, atmospheric changes, heat, famine, floods, wars, etc. (Non-habitable earth, devoid of religious and moral code during the 6th-the last period of descending order.) (ref. pg. 78740
Under these circumstances and dark future, around 450 A.D. (980)/ 1000 years after Lord Mahavira) high spiritual authorities (preceptors) decided to put down in writing whatever was orally available. The result was 36800 Ślóka - (Stanzas). Only a few were available from each of the 11 'Amga' (as against billions from each). The 12th Amga was completely lost.
Amga
Available Stanzas
Amga
Available Stanzas
2600
900
2200
900
4000
200
2000
1300
16000
11
1300
5400
Total
36800
An extremely minute fraction of the original Amga-the main corpus of Jaina Canon compiled by Ganadhara, is saved. It is lofty and magnificent.
Along with 11 Amga, 12 Upāmga, 10 Payannā, 6 Chhed Sutrās, 4 Mūla
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