History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

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

Page 86

THE EXTINCT ĀGAMAS OF THE JAINAS
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Lohitya Sūri, Düsya Gani and Devarddhi Gani ksamāśramana and several Cūrnikāras, knew at least the first Puvva, over and above the 11 Angas.
It may not be amiss if we were to take a note of what the Digambaras say regarding the gradual loss of the 14 Puvvas. There is no unanimity of opinion in this connection; for, different versions are given in different works. śubhacandra's Angapannatti, Brahma-Hemacandra's Suyakkhandha, Indranandi's Śrutāvatāra, Jinasena's Adipurāna, Uttarapurāna, Harivamśapurāna and some of the Digambara Pattāvalis in Prākrt may be cited as instances. This is not the place where I can try to examine each of them separately and come to any definite conclusion by attempting reconciliations where possible I shall therefore remain contented by giving only one version in this connection-the version noted in Jainasatyaprakāśa (I, 7, pp. 213-214). Therein it is said : in Vira Samvat 62, Jambūsvāmin attained liberation. He was the last kevalin. Visnukumāra, Nandimitra, Aparăjita, Govardhana and Bhadrabāhusvāmin I were conversant with 14 Puvvas. This brings us down to a period upto Vira Samvat 162. Then came the era when he had persons who knew only 10 Puvvas. Their names are : Viśākha, Prosthila, Ksatriya, Jaya, Nāgasena, Siddhārtha, Dhrtisena, Vijaya, Buddhilla, Deva (Gangadeva) and Dharmasena. This covers a period upto Vira Samvat 345. In Śrutāvatāra it is said that in the time of Nāgahastin, some one knew at least five Puvvas. Ācārya Dharasena is said to be conversant with two Puvvas. As a passing reference, I may add that amongst persons who knew only 11 Argas and who were thus not conversant with any one of the Puvvas are mentioned Naksatra, Jayapāla, Pāndu, Dhruvasena and Kamsa. The last died in or about Vira Samvat 565. Then we come across the names of persons who knew Āyara, the 1st Anga only. They are : Subhadra, Yaśobhadra, Bhadrabāhu II and Lohārya. This brings us down to Vira Samvat 683. The end of this year marked the extinction of the Jaina Agamas in their entirety. This view, strange as it is, is advocated by some of the Digambaras, and it has led some of the Svetambaras to question the very authority of the Digambara extant works.
From this exposition it must have been seen that one and all the 14 Puvvas were not simultaneously lost or forgotten, but that their knowledge gradually dwindled so that by Vira Saṁvat 1000, the Puvvagaya became extinct.
This finishes the discussion about the loss of the main section of
?" and published in
1. See Munii Darśanavijaya's article entitled as "fara urmare
Jainasatyaprakāśa (1, I, p. 15).