Jaina Culture

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi

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JAINA CULTURE
The Padmacarita by Vimala Suri is a Rama-epic. It contains 118 cantos. Padma is the name of Rama.
Karmaprakrti and Pancasangraha :
The Karmaprakṛti by Śivaśarman and the Pañicasangraha by Candrarși are two important Prakrit treatises on the Jaina doctrine of karma. They, too, were composed during the early centuries. Both of them have been commented upon by Malayagiri.
Siddhasena's Works :
Siddhasena Divakara was a great logician. He also belonged to one of the early centuries. Like Umasvati, the author of the Tattvärtha Sutra, he too, is regarded by both the sects as one of their own. His works include the Sanmatitarka, the Nyāyāvatara and thirty-two Dvatrim śikās (twenty-two are available). The Sanmatitarka is an excellent Prakrit treatise on the theory of Nayas ( ways of approach and observation ). It also deals with the theories of knowledge and judgment. The Nyāyāvatāra (Sanskrit) is the earliest Jaina work on pure logic. The Dvātrimśikas (Sanskrit) are on different aspects of Jaina philosophy and religion. Siddhasena Divakara has really made a valuable contribution to Jaina philosophical literature.
Samantabhadra's Works :
Samantabhadra's contribution to the philosophical literature of the Jainas is equally important. He is the author of the Aptamimamsa, Yuktyanusasana and Svayambhūstotra. The Ratnakaraṇḍaka-śrāvakācāra is also ascribed
to him by some scholars In the Aptamimamsā or Devagamastotra the philosophy of non-absolutism is explained. The Yuktyanusasana is a hymn to Lord Mahāvīra in a philosophical theme. The Svayambhustotra or Caturviṁśatijinastuti is a hymn to the twenty-four Jaina Tirthankaras. The Ratnakaraṇḍaka-śrāvakācāra is a manual of morals for the lay-votary. All these works are in Sanskrit. Samanta