Jain Journal 2009 07

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

Page 40

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLIV, NO. 1 JULY 2009
8. History and Cosmology:
Tiloyapaņņatti of Yativrşabha (2nd cent.) is an early Prākrta text on cosmology. This work throws light on many things such as nature, shape, size and divisions of Universe, ancient geography, history of ancient India, commencement of Saka rule, their dynastic chronology and eras, Jaina doctrine. purānic traditions and so on. This is also very useful for studying the development of mathematics, in ancient times. Angavijja written by an unknown author/s, is a Prākrta work of importance for reconstructing India's history of the first four centuries after Christ30.
9. Morality and Ethics :
Another significant aspect of Prāksta literature is its high moral tone. Śravaka-vidhi by Dhanapāla is a short Prākrta verse treatise on the lay life. There was another Prāksta verses, Sira-Vicāra and Dharma-ratna-prakaraņa by Sānti-Sūri, which tract on the qualities of the ideal layman and ideal monk. It is the earliest literary sources for the 21 śravaka-guņas31. Nemicandra's Pravacana-sāroddhāra is also a Prāksta verse compendium of Jaina ethics. For the medieval period the last major Prāksta work on Jaina ethics is the Srāddhadina-krtya by Devendra32. These literature teach laymen as well as monks the eternal values and lessons.
Conclusion :
Prāksta language and literature are very valuable for a complete and first hand knowledge of the ancient Indian culture33. The significance of Prākıta sources is that they are connected with almost every phase and part of this vast country. These works are not restricted to only one or two subjects or to only religious philosophies but
29. Upadhyaye, A.N. Op. Cit. P.-182.
30. Jamindar, Rasesh. Op. Cit. P.-34. · 31. Williams, R. Jaina Yoga, Matilal Banarasidass: Delhi, 1998, p.-9.
32. ibid., p.-13. 33. Choudhuri, G.C. Prakrit studies: Some Problems and Solutions, in ‘Prakrit
Studies'. L.D. Institute: Ahmedabad, 1978, p.-159.