Jain Journal 1995 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 12

JAIN JOURNAL
Vol-XXX
No. 1 July
1995
SELF, SIN AND KARMA IN THE SŪTRAKĶTĀNGA
DR CH LALITHA
The Sūtrakrtānga is the second among the eleven extant Angas of the Jain Canonical literature. According to the Jain tradition, like the other Angas, the Sūtrakrtāngais also supposed to have been preached by Lord Mahāvīra who lived sometime during 567-487 B.C.* and was put down into writing by Ganadharas. This Anga furnishes its own philosophical doctrines as well as perspectives of the doctrines of different schools and also explains the jiva, ajiva, merit, demerit, āstava, nirjarā, and bondage. It imparts knowledge on Jain doctrines to the novices and also furnishes information about one hundred and eighty Kriyāvādins, eightyfour Akriyāvādins, sixtyseven Ajnanavādins and thirtytwo Vinayavādins.
As regards the text of Sutrakrtanga, it is divided into two parts which are known as Srūtaskandas, of these the first part consists of sixteen Adhyayanas and the second part comprises of seven. The major part of the first Śrutaskanda is written in verse form and most contents of the second book is composed in prose.
A number of commentaries have been published on the Sūtrakrtānga. Of these the oldest is Ācārya Bhadrabāhu's Niryukti. After this mention may be made of the famous tikā of Silānka Chārī. Besides these, Jain Ācārya Śrī Jawaharlalji Mahārāj's Tattvadhan consisting of Śīlānka Ācārya Tikā and its translation by Sri Ambica Dattaji Ojha in four parts was published. Along with this Jain Ācārya Pandit Munisri Ghasilalji Maharaj's Sanskrit, Hindi-Gujarat Tikā has also been published. One of the authentic editions of this Sūtra is done by Amarmuni which was translated and commented by Sri Hemachandraji.
*
The general accepted date is 599-527 B.C. - Editor.