Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 4

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

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(e) Sanskrit: The rise of Skt. on the horizon of Jaina literature is very late i.e. around 4th or 5th century A.D. 'History of Jaina Sanskrit Literature' is a wholesome branch of literature in itself. If we will count the number the works carefully, we will come to know that the number of Sanskrit works are equal to the sum total of AMg., JŚ., JM. and Apabhramsa works. All important subjects and all literary forms are handled in Sanskrit by the Jaina writers. In the beginning of Jaina Sanskrit era, Digambaras were more active. From the gth century onwards both Śvetāmbaras and Digambaras contributed a lot to the Sanskrit literature. During 12th century up to 15th century, Jaina Sanskritist wrote enthusiastically on various subjects. In the history-books of Jaina literature it is noted with a lament that a huge bulk of Jaina Sanskrit works is resting in unpublished form.
Nearly 1000 years after Lord Mahāvīra, all the religious and philosophical expressions were carried out with the help of Prakrit dialects in Jaina environment. Around 5th century A.D. Umāsvāti realised the necessity to transform Jaina philosophy into a school of learning. He found that Jainas could not ignore the pan-Indian intellectual language viz. Sanskrit. Thus Jainas entered the field of Sanskrit through the monumental philosophical work Tattvārthasūtra.
In the history of Indian logic (Nyāya) Buddhist were the first, Brahmins were next to them and Jainas were the last. In the 5th-6th century, Siddhasena Divākara wrote Sanmati Tarka (JM.) and Nyāyāvatāra (Skt.). Jaina logicians realised that no other language than Skt. can be used effectively in the field of logic. Five stages in the Jaina logic are seen. They are as follows -
1] Canonical Age (Agama-yuga) (up to 5th century), 2] Anekānta-yuga represented by Samantabhadra (5th century), 3] Pramāņa-yuga represented by Akalanka (8th century), 4] Tīkā-yuga represented by Prabhācandra (11th century), 5] Navya-nyāya-yuga represented by Upādhyāya Yaśovijaya (18th century)
Among the hundreds of Jaina Sanskrit works on logic, around ten or twelve works are original and noteworthy. Others are commentaries and commentaries written on commentaries.
Jainas' Contribution to Indian Sanskrit Literature:
In the field of grammar, Canda is the first grammarian of Prakrit languages. Hemacandra's grammar is studied by Skt. grammarians. Jainedra, Sākatāyana and Kālantra grammars are also noteworthy.
In the study of Indian Mathematics, Gaạita-sara-samgraha of Mahaviracarya is unavoidable. He had handled mathematics as an independent science and not as device for calculating measurements in astronomy and geography,
There are references of numerous treatises on Ayurveda composed by ancient Jaina authors, which are extinct. It shows the unforgivable negligence towards the mundane sciences. Ugraditya's Kalyāṇakāraka of 12th century, is a reputed work on Ayurveda.
Though 12th century is the peak-point of Jaina literature, Sanskrit works pertaining to 10th century, attained an esteemed position in Indian literature. Allegoric narrative of