Book Title: History of Canonical Literature of Jainas
Author(s): Hiralal R Kapadia
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

Previous | Next

Page 144
________________ THE EXTANT AGAMAS OF THE JAINAS descriptions are reproduced, indicated by the word vanna or abbreviated by introducing the word jäva, when they are required elsewhere; for, this Uvanga is practically the 1st work codified at the council of Valabhi. Over and above this work being a store-house of splendid descriptions, it has a historical importance, too, as it refers to Lord Mahävira's samosarana in Campå and the pilgrimage of Küniya to that place. Further, the various attainments and penances of the saints of Lord Mahāvīra are here mentioned in details, and this is followed by the description of various celestial beings who come to attend upon Lord Mahāvīra. His sermon delivered on this occasion may be looked upon as the last item of the 1st part which may be named as Samosarana. The 2nd part opens with the description of Indrabhûti's journey to Lord Mahāvīra, and various questions (regarding the re-births) asked by the former to the latter. Sutta 74 deals with various Tavasas, and the following ones up to s. 100 with Parivayagas, Ammada being one of them. His subsequent life as Dadhapaïnna is then dealt with. In the end we have exposition about the samugghāya resorted to, by some of the omniscient beings, description of the abode of the liberated and the condition therein. Suttas 168-189 which form the ending portion, are in verse, whereas the preceding portion is mostly in prose. RĀYAPASENIYA This Uvanga deals with the birth of King Paësi as Sūriabha deva, his celestial grandeur and enjoyments, his staging of a drama and a dance in the presence of Lord Mahāvīra, the description of his vimana, and a dialogue regarding the identity of soul and body between Paësi and Kesi Ganadhara, a follower of Lord Parsva. Prof. Winternitz attaches immense value to this. dialogue; for, he considers it as a beautiful piece of literature." As regards the title etc. of this Uvanga, it may be noted that in the 5th Anga (s. 133) and elsewhere, too, it is mentioned as Rayappaseṇaijja. 5 1. In s. 30 these are treated at length. 2. Sutta 38 furnishes us with a description of celestial damsels. 3. The author has not divided the work into 2 parts; but this is what some of the modern scholars do. 4. See A His. of Ind. Lit. (Vol. II, p. 455) 5. See Avassayacunni (pt. I, p. 142). 127 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266