Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 415

CHAPTER XVIII
UTTARĀDHYAYANASŪTRA
The Uttaradhyayanasutra is a part of the Svetambara manuscripts are elaborately ornamented with marginal Jaina canon. It is considered to have been preached by decorations, sometimes showing Kinnaras (heavenly Mahāvīra. It consists of 36 chapters and it is to instruct musicians) with musical instruments alongwith paintings. the monks about their principal duties, to commend an The text is written in gold ink on a red background. ascetic life by precepts and examples, to warn him
in the first chapter "The Discipline of Monks', the against the dangers in his spiritual career, and to give manuscript discusses that the monks should be him some theoretical informations. The 36 chapters of subordinate, meek, open to correction when deserved, the manuscript include the disciplines of monks, anticipate a superior's wishes, keep silent until addressed, hardships, the four requisites, the past cannot be be truthful, practise asceticism so on and so forth. Many reassembled, death against one's will, the false ascetic, specific rules of conduct are cited dealing with begging, the parable of ram, Kapila, Nami's entry into monkhood, eating, studying and other duties. A monk who observes the leaf of the tree, the very learned Harikeșa, Citra all faithfully is being honoured by gods, Gandharvas and Sambhūta, Işukara, the true monk, the condition and men. of perfect chastity, the bad monk, Sanjaya, Mrgaputra, The illustrations for the chapter seem to be the great duty of Jaina monks, the story of Samudrapala, introductory to the whole work which show Jina the story of Rathanemi, Kesi and Gautam, Mahāvīra seated (Pl. 262) or preaching in Samavasaraņa. Pravacanamätäs the true sacrifice, correct behaviour, the The significance of the Samavasarana scenes in the balky bullocks, the road to salvation, exertion in paintings seems to be that the Uttaradhyayanasutra righteousness, the road of penance, rules of conduct, itself, is considered to have been preached by Mahāvīra. the causes of carelessness, the nature of karma, the It may be assumed that the subject of the first chapter leśyās, the houseless monk, living creatures and things is the discourse of Mahāvīra where he is seated on without life.
throne, crowned and bejewelled with a royal parasol There are several copies of Uttarādhyayanasūtra, over his head. The attendant with fly-whisk and musical belonging to 15th-16th century A.D., in different instrument flanks him. Above him are elephants with collections like Dayā Vimalji Jñāna Bhandāra, upraised trunks (Pl. 262). Ahmedabad, Hamsa Vijaya Jñana Mandira, Baroda, The second chapter is devoted to 'Hardships' like Jainānand Pustakalaya, Sri Mukti Kamala Jaina, Mohana hunger, thirst, cold, heat, insect bites, discontent, women, Jñäna Mandira, Baroda etc. These manuscripts belong the discomforts of wandering, the discomforts of resting to 15th and 16th century A.D. As is the case with places, bad lodging, abuse, refusal of alms etc. which illustrations of the Kalpasūtra and the Kālakācāryakathā, a monk must endure. The illustrations pertaining to this the scenes illustrated in the Uttaradhyayanasutra are chapter show a monk (perhaps Mahavira) meditating clinch, being repeated with only minor variations in the and standing in kāyotsarga. The birds and animals like different manuscripts. Like other works the illustrations dogs, deer, bull, lions, attack him but fail to shake his of the present manuscript are not always explicitly concentration. Probably, the painting represents various indicated in the text, but rather it is to be found in hardships experienced by Mahavira. Mahāvīra wears commentaries. Some of the Uttaradhyayanasutra crown and other ornaments which should not be
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