History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

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

Page 170

THE EXTANT ĀGAMAS OF THE JAINAS
153
some portions of which are in prose and some in verse. Its extent is indicated in Jaina granthāvali as 9000 ślokas. It seems to be an anonymous work. It appears that at least to some extent, it is a nimittaśāstra.
AJĪVAKAPPA
This is a small work in Prākrta in 44 verses. It deals with certain articles like a stick, a needle, a nail-cutter etc. which a Jaina saint is likely to have with him.
AURAPACCAKKHĀŅA This is also a work in Prākrta in verse. It deals with the glorification of the five Paramesthins. See D. C. J. M. (vol. XVII, pt. I, p. 326).
GACCHĀYĀRA
This work "school rules" consists of 137 verses or so in Prākrta. As stated in its 135th verse, it is based upon Mahānistha, Vavahāra etc. It deals with the following topics :
The fruit accruing from staying in gaccha, characteristics pf a Gaņi alias Sūri, prowess of gītārtha, distinguishing features of gaccha, avoidance of undue contact with the Jaina nuns and behaviour of these nuns.
JAMBŪSĀMIAJJHAYANA
This is a work consisting of 21 sections known as uddesagas. It deals with the life of Jambūsvamin.
JOÏSAKARANDAYA This work is in verses in Prākrta. Its sections, like those of the Puvvas and Sūriyapannatti are styled as pähudas. Its subject matter is more or less astronomy. It is an epitome of Suriyapannatti (vide v. 1). It is in accordance with the Vālabhi tradition as is the case with Jīvasamāsa.
TITTHOGĀLI
This work consists of about 1251 verses in Prākrta. It has as one of its topics, the life of Bhadrabāhusvāmin. Its verses 620 to 622 throw light on the date of Candragupta's coronation-a subject dealt with by Shantilal Shah in "The Traditional chronology of the Jainas" (pp. 16-17).
These are some of the Painnagas, out of the 20 supernumerary ones described by me in D. C. J. M. (vol. XVII, pt. I). For the description of the rest and the various references pertaining to the extant Agamas, the reader may refer to D. C. J. M. (vol. XVII, pts. I-III).
HIST.-20 Jain Education International