Indian Culture and Jainism

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Vidya Samsthan

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the Kalpasūtra which is the earliest example of paper painting (1427 A.D.). Paintings on cloth and wood are preserved in Jaina Śāstra Bhanḍāras of various places.
It is of capital importance to note that Jainas have carefully maintained manuscript libraries throughout India. These libraries possess not only Jaina literature but preserve also the non-Jaina literary works. In Rajasthāna, Madhyapradeśa, Gujarāta, Karnataka and Mahāraṣtra, a large number of manuscript libraries preserving vast and varied literature, both religious and secular have been maintained.
Jaina Literature: According to Jainism a Tīrthankara, along with self-realisation, propagates socio-spiritual values for the benefit of mankind. His deliverances form the canonical (Agamic) literature of the Jainas. Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tīrthankara preached in the language of the masses which was known as Prākṛta. Thus the Jaina Agamas (canons) are in Prākṛta. These Āgamas form the 'Holy Scriptures of the Jainas'. These cover a wide variety of subjects. It is of capital importance to note that the Jaina Acāryas continued to compose works in Prākṛta up to 13th cent. A.D. namely, the Agamic commentaries, the metaphysicospiritual works of Kundakunda, logical works of Siddhasena and Devasena, Tiloyapanṇati of Yativṛṣabha, Trilokasāra of Nemicandra, Bṛhatsangrahani of Candrasuri, Vicārasāra Prakaraṇa of Pradyumnasūri, Bhagavati Ārādhanā of Śivārya, Mūlācāra of Vaṭṭakera, Pravacanasaroddhāra of Nemicandra, Savayapaṇṇatti, Yogaśataka and Dhurtākhyāna of Haribhadra, Kattigeyāṇuvekkha of Svamikumāra Paumacariya of Vimalasuri, Caupannamahāpurisa-Cariya of Śilānkācārya etc 93
There are numerous Caritras in Prakrta which describe the life of individual Tīrthankaras such as Rṣabha, Śāntinātha, Neminātha, Pārsva and Mahāvīra. Jainas own abundant narrative literature in Prākṛta. Vasudeva-Hinḍī of Samghadāsagaṇi, Samaraicca-kahā of Haribhadra, Kuvalayamāla of Uddyotanasūri and many Katha-kośas have been composed by the Jainas94. All this shows that Jainas have to their credit voluminous Prākrṭa literature, but unfortunately the study of Prākṛta language has practically disappeared from India. What will be its consequence is a matter of great concern for the custodians of Indian culture.
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