Jain Journal 2005 10

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

Page 22

CHITTA RAJAN PAL JAINISM IN BENGAL
With the passage of time Bhadrabahu grew to be a legendary figure on account of his encyclopaedic theological knowledge, saintly character and vigorous missionary activities. Many books - scriptural or theological, legal or astronomical have been attributed to his authorship.
In his celebrated book, History of Indian Literature Vol. II, Maurice Winternitz relates, "Tradition has it that he (Bhadrabāhu) was the last who knew the Puvvas..... and he is said to have extracted the third and the fourth Chedasutras from the ninth puvva. Besides the Dasão, the Nijjutis (Niryuktis), concise metrical explanations of certain parts of the canon, are also attributed to him"3
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Prof. K.C. Lalwani in the preface of the Kalpasutra (translated by him in English) states, "Sixth in the line downwards from Bhagavan Mahāvīra, Bhadrabāhu has been attributed with the authorship of many works. At least three or four Āgāmas are attributed directly to his pen, but his particular association with the Chedasūtras of which at least three are due to him. Of the three Kalpasūtra texts, he is said to have produced at least two, Brhatkalpa and Pañcakalpa.”
In her famous book, The Heart of Jainism, Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson says, "The Jainas credit him (Bhadrabahu) with the authorship of the Niryuktis or the commentaries on the canonical books and a book on astronomy which is named after him, the Bhadrabāhusaṁhită. He also wrote what the Svetambara Jainas consider to be the holiest work, the Upasarga-harastotra-kalpasūtra."
It is further to be noted that another Samhita, work on the right of succession has been attributed to his name.
Some Western scholars, however, are of opinion that some of the books and commentaries which have been ascribed to Bhadrabahu are not his compositions.
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Winternitz, History of Indian Leterature. Vol II, p. 416 and p. 444 (MB edition) K. C. Lalwani, Kalpasutra of Bhadrabāhusvāmī'. p. XVIII.
Mrs. S. Stevenson, Heart of Jainism, p. 70.