Contribution of Prakrit to Jain Canonical Literature

Author(s): N Vasupal
Publisher: Z_Mohanlal_Banthiya_Smruti_Granth_012059.pdf

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aptor farasta
in others by terms like 'vannao', 'Java' and numerals. The cross references do show the working of one hand. Though the matter of the present upangas is as old as that of the Angas, the division of upangas, to correspond to Angas is an innovation perhaps after the Pataliputra council. It is not known to earlier lists preserved in the original contents of works like the Prasnayakaranani upto the final redaction, re-shaffling and transposition of parts have taken place; and they can be detected even now. Some of the Niryuktis clearly show that they have in view a slightly different arrangement of matter in some places; and W. Schubring has shown how some lines from the Sūtrakstanga require to be re-arranged for a consistent interpretation. Further, we have a large number of prakirņakas, but only some of them are admitted to the canon.
Though the Ardhamagadhi canon was redacted in the 5th Century A.D., the major and substantial portion of it is as old as the Pataliputra Council in the 4th Century B.C., in addition to the traditional account. This has been proved by the absence of any reference to Greek Astronomy in the Canon and by the nature of metre and language of its older portions. The first parts of Acāranga and Sūtrakrtanga are considered to be the oldest stratum of the canon, and some lessons from the Chedasūtras and a few sermons from the Uttarādhyayana and Bhagavatisūtras may be ranked by their side.
The canon described above, is authoritative only for the Svetāmbaras and it is not admitted as genuine by the Diganbaras who have their pro-canon. According to the Svetambara tradition, the knowledge of the 14 purvas went on decreasing and by the time of Devarddhigani the 12th Anga which included the pūrvas disappeared. Now
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