Contribution of Jainas to Sanskrit and Prakrit Literature

Author(s): Vasantkumar Bhatt, Jitendra B Shah, Dinanath Sharma
Publisher: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smarak Nidhi Ahmedabad

Page 81

56
Contribution of Jainas to Sanskrit and Prakrit Literature
(look upon) this Universe-world as one that has a beginning and an end. (42).
Some views look on this universe as created by Iśvara; some (look upon it) as born of Soma and Agni; (while there are still) others who state that this universe as born of six elements, Dravya, etc. (43)
Kanada and his followers (and follower of Nyāya) look upon the Tattva as constituted of Dravya, Guna, Karma and Sämänya. They also lay down that the universe is born of these. (44).
Some look upon this entire Universe of human beings and others as constituted of Kaśyapas while some look upon the three worlds as an offspring of Daksa Prajāpati. (45).
Some are of opinion that the same self (lit. idol) has become threefold as Vişnu, Śiva and Brahma, and (here) Śiva is the seed of the universe, Visnu the creator and Brahma the activity. (46).
Some look upon this universe as an offspring of Visnu while some others (believe that) it is born of Kāla. Some opine that it is inspired by īśvara while some feel that it is an offspring of Brahma. (47).
The followers of Kapila (the sāṁkhya school) expect (and opine) that the entire universe is born of Avyakta (i.e., the Prakrit). But sākyas (i.e., the Buddhists) are of firm view that this universe is of the nature only of * and of * (48).
Some believe that it is born of Purusa while some take it to be born of providence. Some (state that it) springs from Aksara while some take it to have sprung from the (primordial) egg. (49).
Some look upon it as only accidental while (some) others state that it is the result of (the combination of) the five Bhūtas. Some look at it as having countless forms. (In this manner different people) run after varied views. (50).
Visnu resides in waters as also on earth; Visnu is in the skies. In this world full with series of Visnus, there is nothing devoid of Vissu. (51). (So say the Vaisnavas).
īśvara
(īśvara is the one who has hands and feet on all sides, has eyes, head and mouth on all sides, has ears on all sides in this world (and he is the one)