History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

Author(s): Hiralal R Kapadia
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

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A HISTORY OF THE CANONICAL LITERATURE OF THE JAINAS
same, since Malayagiri Sūri has commented upon it, and since this work is noted in Thāna (II, 1; p. 126), Nandi (s. 44), etc., there must have existed in olden days some work of this name.
NIRAYĀVALISUYAKKHANDHA I use this title to indicate a collection of the 5 Uvargas viz. (1) Nirayāvalia or Kappiyā, (2) Kappavadiṁsayā, (3) Pupphiyā, (4) Pupphacūliyā, and (5) Vanhidasā. Dr. Weber and Prof. Winternitz believe that these works are separately counted to make the number of the Uvangas tally with that of the 12 Angas.
Each of these five works except the last consists of 10 ajjhayanas whereas the last has 12.
In Kappiyā we have lives of Kāla and others, the ten sons of Śreņika. Similarly Kappavadiṁsayā deals with the lives of their 10 sons.2 Pupphiyā describes 10 gods such as the moon, the sun and others, whereas Pupphacūliyā furnishes us with some details about 10 goddesses such as Śrī, Hrī, Dhrti and the like.
In Vanhidasā we come across legends of the 12 princes of the Vanhi race. Out of them, the 1st deals with Nisadha (Sk. Nisadha), son of Balarāma and nephew of Krsna.
NISĪHA3
This Cheyasutta consists of 20 uddesagas. It deals with the rules governing the life to be led by monks and nuns, and prescribes atonements and penances by way of punishment for various transgressions against rules pertaining to begging of alms, etc. This work mentions exceptions to the general rules, too.
MAHANĪSIHA
This Cheyasutta is divided into sections known as ajjhayanas. A threefold division referred to, in the beginning of this work, is not to be found. There are specific titles for the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th ajjhayanas. They
1. They were killed in their fight with their grand-father Cedaga of Vesāli and have been
born in the 4th hell. - Kappiyā 2. They have been born in various heavens. - Kappavadimsayā 3. Jarl Charpentier says that the title Nisīha, though traditional, is wrong: it ought to be
Niseha.