History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

Author(s): Hiralal R Kapadia, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 200

THE CANONICAL EXEGETICAL LITERATURE
183
Malayagiri Sūri1 and Śrītilaka Sūri2 are concerned. It is however in the 15th centrury or so that some of the commentators of Avassayanijjutti have assigned a place to it therein, e.g. Jñanasagara,3 a pupil of Devasagara, and Manikyasekhara Suri, a pupil of Merutunga Sūri. Hence it may be inferred that this Theravali may have been inserted in Avassayanijjutti earliest in the 13th century of the Vikrama era.
Āvassayanijjutti explains the six ajjhayaṇas of Avassaya. Therein the portion dealing with ajjhayana I (Samaiya) is divided into two parts: Uvagghāyanijjutti and Namokkāranijjutti. Out of them the 1st part is further sub-divided into 9 sections as under :
(i) Peḍhiya, (ii) Lahuvaravariya, (iii) Vuddhavaravariya", (iv) Uvasagga, (v) Samosaraṇa, (vi) Gaṇahara also known as Gaṇaharavāya, (vii) Sāmāyārī, (viii) Ninhavavattavva,6 and (ix) Sesaüvagghāyanijjutti.?
The Nijjutti of ajjhayanas II, III, V and VI has no such sections, whereas that of IV has the following ones :
(i) Jhanasaya, (ii) Pāriṭṭhāvaniyānijjutti,8 (iii) Padikkamāsangahani,' (iv) Jogasangaha,10 and (v) Asajjhāyanijjutti.
Pedhiya-Ordinarily this means 'an introduction'; but, here it means a Nandi dealing with five-fold knowledge and its sub-varieties. It comprises 79 verses or so. Incidentally herein there is an exposition about the sound we hear, some of the labdhis (miraculous powers) and strengths of Vasudeva and others.
Lahuvaravariya-Varavariyā means proclamation of giving the desired object. This meaning is applicable here at least to some extent; for, the
1. He has referred to a work named Pravacanasiddhi on p. 367. This work is probably extinct.
2. He has composed this com. in Samvat 1296.
3. He has composed the pertinent com. in Samvat 1440. See D C G CM (vol. XVII, pt. III, p. 452).
4-5 See D C G CM (vol. XVII, pt. III, pp. 391 and 394). These are also named as Paḍhamavaravariya and Biiyavaravariya. Ibid., pp. 391-393.
6.
At times this is not separately mentioned.
7. This is also designated as Uvagghāyanijjutti.
8-9 Some do not look upon these two as forming a part and parcel of the Nijjutti on Avassaya (IV).
10. This is also styled as Jogasangahanijjutti.