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INTRODUCTION
Various attempts have been made up till now to define Mathematics but none seems to have been universally accepted. So I think it is here needless for me to define it. I would also like to refrain from dilating upon its origin, importance and value.
It is a well-recognized fact that among the different sciences Mathematics occupies a unique place, as it happens to be the only exact science. The Greeks had an unflinching faith in its educational value, and they considered it essential for any individual to study this important subject before he or she was allowed to enter the field of philosophy.
In this connection it may be added that the Indians in general and the Jainas in particular have not been behind any nation in paying due attention to this subject. This is borne out by Ganitasārasangraha' (v. 9-15 ) of Mahāvīrācārya ( 850 A. D.) of the southern school of Mathematics. Therein he points out the usefulness of Mathematics or “the science of calculation” regarding the study of various subjects like music, logic, drama, medicine, architecture, cookery, prosody, grammar, poetics, economics, erotics etc.
PLACE OF MATHEMATICS IN JAINISM The sacred works of the Jainas had been originally composed with a view to provide for every agama four expositions, technically known as (1) dharmakathānuyoga, (2) ganitānuyoga, (3) dravyānuyoga and (4) carażakaraṇānuyoga. It was Aryarakṣita Sūri, who, however, discontinued this line of interpreting the sacred works in the four ways above alluded to, as this method required immense proficiency. He, thereupon, specified for each of the āgami's the anuyoga meant for it, and classified them accordingly. In virtue of this new arrangement Uttarādhyayanasūtra etc., come under dharmakathānuyoga, Sūryaprajñapti, Candraprajñapti, Jambūdvīpaprajñapti etc., under ganitānuyoga, the fourteen Pārvas etc., under dravyānuyoga, and Ācārāngasūtra, Das'avaikālikasūtra, etc.,
1. This has boon edited in A. D. 1912 with an English translation by Mr. Rangācharya.
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