Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune

Page 40

(d) Sanskrit: The rise of Skt. on the horizon of Jaina literature is very late i.e. around 4 or 5" 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., JS., 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 8th century onwards both Svetāmbaras and
Digambaras contributed a lot to the Sanskrit litera-ture. 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the history-books of Jaina literature it is noted with a lament that a huge bulk of Jaina Sanskrit works is resting in unpublished form.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 5" 6" 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] Pramāna-yuga represented by Akalanka (8th century),
4] Tika-yuga represented by Prabhäcandra (11" century),
5] Navya-nyaya-yuga represented by Upadhyāya Yasovijaya (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. Jainaedra, sākatāyana and Kātantra grammars are also noteworthy.
In the study of Indian Mathematics, Ganita-sāra-samgraha of Mahāvīrācārya 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
Kalyanakāraka of 12th century, is a reputed work on Ayurveda.
40