ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 363

B.6.0.f
Bhagavali Sūtra Dr. Priyadarshana Jain
Introduction The great ancient saints and seers in India have propounded three great traditions, Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, represented in sacred canons called Āgamas, Pittakas and Vedas respectively.
The seeds of the great tradition of Jaina religion and culture are the fruits of insights, experiences and revelations of the omniscient (Kevalīs) i.e. tīrthamkaras or fordmaker. The Āgamas or scriptures of the Jains in ancient times were called Ganīpitaka or Angas and were revealed by Lord Mahāvīra, the 24th fordmaker. The sacred texts reveal the essence of life, the nature of bondage and liberation, the path of liberation, the meaning of life and the art of right living, the causes of misery, pain and happiness, the world order, various religious and philosophical concepts, the nature of conscious and material energy, the nature of ātmā (soul) and Paramātmā (supreme soul) besides the views of other philosophical schools propounded at that time.
The scriptures have been handed down through an oral tradition and are written in aphorism (Sūtra) style, i.e. where words are limited, but pregnant with profound meaning and depth of knowledge. Sūtra, Grantha, Siddhānta, Pravacana, Ajna, Upadeśa, Prajnā panā, Agama, Aptavacana and Sruta are some of the synonyms of Jaina scriptural texts1 The Tirthamkaras reveal the trio (tripadi), i.e. Upanneyevā, Vigameyavā, Dhuveyevā, i.e. all substances originate, undergo change and still remain permanent. Based on this tripadī, the ganadharas construct the twelve fold, i.e. Dvadaśānga scriptural literature.
Bhagavati is the fifth of the Dvadaśānga scriptural literature and one of the most important works of the Ardhamāgadhi canonical literature. It is the largest in volume, encyclopedic in its contents and covers a variety of aspects of Jaina Philosophy and practices. It gives valuable information on history and culture such as political, social and economic condition of India at that time, its political history, evolution of Jaina philosophical thought and other philosophical schools prevalent at that time. It is in a conversation form between Lord Mahāvīra and his principal disciples other than Indrabhūti Gautama also.
Introduction to Bhagavati Sūtra, Volume 4 ,Pg 40
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