Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 1

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: Sanmati Tirth Prakashan Pune

Page 18

Century
Author
Work
Subject
2ndcen.A.D. 2ncen.A.D. 2ndcen.A.D.
Puspadanta + Bhūtabali Gunadhara Dharasena
Satkhandāgama Kaṣāya-pāhuda Joņi-pāhuda (MS. available at BORI) Bhagavati Aradhana
Philosophy Philosophy (Karma) Prognostics
3rdcen.A.D.
Sivakotyācārya
Ethics (Monastic Conduct)
4thcen.A.D.
Kundakundācārya
Dasa-bhatti Pancāstikāya Pravacana-sara Samaya-sära Bārasāanuvekkhā Asta-pähuda Niyama-sāra Rayaņa sāra Mūlācāra
Philosophy Philosophy Philosophy Philosophy +Monastic Conduct Philosophy+Monastic Conduct Philosophy +Monastic Conduct Philosophy (Spiritual) Eulogy + Philosophy Ethics (Monastic Conduct
4'cen.A.D.
Vattakera
* The whole Digambara literature, written in JŚ., Skt. and Apabhraíśa, is divided into four broad categories. Purāņas and Caritas are enumerated under Prathamānuyoga or Kathānuyoga. Cosmological, Geographical and Astrological texts are included in Karaṇānuyoga or Ganitānuyoga. Philosophical and doctrinal works come under Dravyānuyoga and the works dedicated to monastic conduct and householders' conduct comprise Caraṇānuyoga. When we see the chronology of Anuyogas, it is surprising that Prathamānuyoga literature was composed in the last lapse of Digambara literature while Dravyānuyoga was composed initially.
* Șatkhandāgama with it's commentary is the most revered philosophical text of Digambaras.
* All the texts included in the above-mentioned chart are designated as 'Agama' or 'Āmnāya'.
* JŚ. literature of these centuries differs a lot from the AMg. canonical literature. JŚ. texts are mostly dedicated to philosophy, karma and conduct. AMg. canons contains narratives, descriptions and illustrations side by side with the philosophical and doctrinal subjects.
* Kundakunda's position is so unique in Digambara tradition that he is remembered imme diately after Lord Mahāvīra and Gautamagani.
* Ascertaining the dates of ancient Jaina Sauraseni works and Tattvārthasūtra is a very complex issue before Jaina scholars in the 19th and 20th century. A lot of controversy, discussions and debates are seen between the prominent Jaina scholars, viz. Jugalkishor Mukhtar, Nathuram Premi, Hiralal Jain, A.N.Upadhye, Kailashacandra Shastri, Dalsukh Malvania, Sukhalal Samgahavi etc. The long intellectual debates are avoided in this brief survey of Jaina Prakrit and Saskrit literature. We have fixed the dates of the above mentioned Jaina Saurasení works and their authors, which are logical, consistent and reflecting golden mean view of all the scholarly discussions, avoiding extremities.
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