Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
versions. It seems the original text must have been different from the currently available two versions. Each schism adapted to its own advantage to the maximum in their commentaries. The many anomalies found in the commentaries with respect to specific schismic points also support this point.
The Digambaras are said to be more conservative and traditional and, therefore, older in comparison to the progressive and liberal schisms. It is said that mythology and rituals precede religious systems. The inclusion of large amount of mythology in D-version indicates this to be more in tune with the original text.
Ācārya Umasvati seems to be the original author without any cognomen or title. Looking to the importance of the text, each schism later wanted to adapt him. Each adapted him with his own specific title, he became Grddhapiccha for Digambaras and Vacaka for Svetambaras in due course.
It is seen that the major contents involving the spiritual and physical sciences in this text cover the early stage of many branches of learning of current age. The contents have been summarised by many scholars in short and long form. They could be summarised in a condensed form representing the basic themes, such as: (i) Philosophy, physical sciences and metaphysics: chapters 1, 2, 5, 8 (ii) Mythology and cosmology:
chapters 3, 4 (iii) Ethics for laity and monks :
chapters 6, 7, 9, 10 J.L. Jaini has analysed the chapterwise contents in terms of groups of aphorism indicating the scopes of the subjects in modern terminology in his english translation of this text. This is the most elaborate summarisation and the reader is referred to his book.
Commentaries on Tattvartha-Sutra
As pointed out earlier, the popularity of this text could be judged from the large number of commentaries covering a period beginning from fifth century A.D. to to-date. They are in different languages including even German and English. The JSK mentions 14 D + 3 S commentaries (Tikās) and explanatories (Vārtikas) upto 16th century A.D. A large number has appeared since then in different languages like Hindi, Gujrati etc. along with many translations of the original text. The commentaries in Sanskrta are the most important of them. They give us an idea of logical, philosophical or conceptual development in their respective periods. They, thus, have literary as well as historical value. However, it is most surprising that almost all the early D-commentaries originate from the south and S-commentaries from the north (This point seems to favour the two versions by two different authors. However, 83% similarity overrules this point). The main available commentaries (and translations) are mentioned below with their approximate