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THE EXTANT AGAMAS OF THE JAINAS
husvamin; but, as it is possible to look upon that portion as inserted in the original work by Devarddhi Gani at Valabhi," it cannot be argued on that account that this Theravali is not a composition of Bhadrabahusvāmin, So some other arguments must be advanced to disprove the authorship attributed to him by the Jaina tradition.
VAL
145
In Sāmāyārī we have in prose rules and regulations pertaining to pajjusana or the Lenten period. Dr. Bimala Churn Law says in this connection in his article "The Kalpasūtra" published in Jaina Antiquary (vol. II, No. IV, March 1937, p. 82):
"This Pajjusana corresponds to the Buddhist Vassa and is divided into two parts the 50 days that precede and the 70 that succeed the 5th of Bhadra, Śuklapakṣa. The Svetambaras observe fast during the former period and the Digambaras during the latter."
This third section which is a code of rules for asceticism, is looked upon by Western scholars as the oldest nucleus, and they opine that Bhadrabahusvämin does not seem to be the author of all the three sections which have been united to form a whole in the Pajjosanākappa.
Before proceeding further, it may be noted that out of these 3 väcyas the 1st is the biggest. Its extent is a little more than 900 slokas. It consists of 228 suttas. It is mostly in prose; for, some verses interspers it. Its 15th sutta is an eulogy of Lord Mahavira by Sakra. It is hence known as Sakrastava. Its wording is almost identical with Ovavāïya (s. 16 & 20). Sutta 13 of Antagaḍadasa (VI) and the last para of Anuttarovavaiyadasa have also something in common with this wording. Sutta 129 refers to a great planet Bhāsarasi (Sk. Bhasmarasi) which is mentioned in Thana (II, 3), too. It has remained unidentified up till now.
The 2nd varya has more verses than any of the other two. Its last 14 verses are worth noting. Some of them remind us of the Theravalis to be met with, in Nandi and Avassayanijjutti. In
1 See D. L. J. P. F. Series, No. 18.
2 Ibid., pp. 2b, 11b, 15b, 322, and 39.
3
For ther details see D. C. J. M. (vol. XVII, pt. III, p. 173).
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