History of Canonical Literature of Jainas

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

Page 87

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THE CANONICAL LITERATURE OF THE JAINAS
The 1älävagas, too, were similarly treated.
(vi) The former practice of referring to to a third party all the controversial questions, was set aside, and the codified works were thenceforth looked upon as final authorities.
(vii) Important events and incidents which were subsequent in origin to those noted in the original works and which were even at times almost contemporaneous with the sitting of the council held for the Redaction of the Jaina canon, were embodied in words by this council. It incorporated them in the works composed long ago even at the cost of anachronism. For, it
(b) Sometimes only a number such as 3, 4, 5 or so occurs after a word. This suggests an association of similar ideas or topics, or at times it refers to a part of the usual formula. In order that this may be fully grasped I may quote the following examples:
(i) "तए णं अहं संकिए ३"
Uvāsagadasă (1, 86) and "
3" - Ibid., (I, 17)
असणं ४" Ibid., (1, 66)
(ii) "तं सेयं खलु ममं कल्लं जाव जलन्ते विउलं (iii) "तं मित्त जाव विउलेणं पुप्फ ५ सक्कारेई" Ibid., (1, 66 ), “धम्मकंखिया ५ धम्मपिवासिया ५” Ibid., (Ill, 95) and " पासइ, २ त्ता आसुरते ५ " (iv) "cat" - Ibid., (II; 113) and
Ibid., (II; 99)
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244)
1. The word 'älävaga' is used in Thana (s. 83, 127 & 160). 2. See Jaina System of Education (pp. 226, 227 and 246).
3. Some may be inclined to suggest that this council has nothing to do with this embodiment as this came from the very pens of the original authors of the corresponding works the authors who could foresee what was going to happen in future. But it seems that such a suggestion can hardly carry any weight at least in these days.
of facts" - Ibid., (VIII;
4. It appears that the question of anachronism is not of so vital importance to a Jaina as the soundness and veracity of what he accepts as a part and parcel of Jainism. Whatever is said or written by a gītārtha, is looked upon by him with as much authority as an Agama, provided that gītārtha is really so. Such being the code of Jainism the council may not have hesitated in making necessary additions.
It may be that originally there was an episode with different characters but the names of these characters were modified, the episode however remaining the same as is possible since the history repeats itself many a time."