________________
100
Vipāk Sūtra
the text of Vipāka was changed or reedited. When did this change occur ? These considerations indicate some possible answers. Logically
they point to two positions. 1. The presext text of twenty Adhyayanas was reedited and text
having twenty Adhyayanas known to Samavāyānga was prepared. This situation indicates some time gap. It is highly probable that the second śrutaskandha was added at the time of reediting, and the changes introduced, so that the present text differs from that noted in the Sthānānga.
This logical position requires further study on the following lines. 1. Search of MSS. of the text and its commentaries. 2. Study of the internal aspects of the text from chronological
view point.
The Āgamas are being studied for more than a century. The tremendous efforts of Muni Shri Puņyavijayaji and a number of scholars in the search of manuscripts have not led to the discovery of any text of Vipaka Sūtra that might pre-date 10th century A.D. This tremendous effort suggest that this line of inquiry might not yield any fruit, but one might continue this effort.
In our country, the logical argument that such a situation indicates is beset with unsurmountable difficulties and hence it should not be followed for establishing exact chronology of a work of a long tradition, so the problems arising out of this line of investigation be kept open.
The analysis of the present text is also highly significant. It deals with Dukhavipāka and Sukhavipaka. The first Śrutaskandha dealing with dukhavipaka notes bad condition of the present life, and its causes are pointed out to be in the past life of the indivi. dual. Hope is given that in future life the individual would gain emancipation. This text deals with the illustrations of dukhavipaka in the first Śrutaskandha and Sukhavipaka in the second śrutaskandha. Thus the whole text is a good commentary on the principles of Karmavipaka.
The first śrutaskandha offers the Karmavipäka of past life as an explanation of the sufferings of the present life. The first and
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
