________________
[ CHAP.
138
THE CANONICAL LITERATURE OF THE JAINAS
and above this work being a store-house of splendid descriptions, it has a historical importance, too, as it refers to Lord Mahāvira's samosarana in Campa and the pilgrimage of Kuniya to that place. Further, the various attainments and penances' of the saints of Lord Mahavira are here mentioned in details, and this is followed by the description of various celestial beings who come to attend upon Lord Mahavira. His sermon delivered on this occasion may be looked upon as the last item of the 1st part3 which may be named as Samosarana. The 2nd part opens with the description of Indrabhuti's journey to Lord Mahavira, and various questions (regarding the re-births) asked by the former to the latter. Sutta 74 deals with various Tavasas, and the following ones up to s. 100 with Parivayagas, Ammaḍa being one of them. His subsequent life as Dadhapaïnna is then dealt with. In the end we have exposition about the samugghaya resorted to, by some of the omniscient beings, description of the abode of the liberated and the condition therein. Suttas 168-189 which form the ending portion, are in verse, whereas the preceding portion is mostly in prose. RAYAPASENIYA
This Uvanga deals with the birth of King Paësi as Sūriabha deva, his celestial grandeour and enjoyments, his staging of a drama and a dance in the presence of Lord Mahavira, the description of his vimana, and a dialogue regarding the identity of soul and body between Paësi and Kesi Ganadahara, a follower of Lord Pārsva. Prof. Winternitz attaches immense value to this dialogue; for, he considers it as a beautiful piece of literature. As regards the title etc. of this Uvanga, it may be noted that in the 5th Anga (s. 133) and elsewherses, too, it is mentioned as Rayappasenaijja.
1 In s. 30 these are treated at length.
2
Sutta 38 furnishes us with a description of celestial damsels.
3
The author has not divided the work into 2 parts; but this is what some of the modern scholars do.
4 See A His. of Ind. Lit. (vol. II, p. 455). 5 See Avassayacunni (pt. I, p. 142).
