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Epistemology of Jainos
misconducts the seniority of an ascetic is cut down by certain months, and he becomes junior to his youngers. Perhaps, the sūtras where this kind of punishment was prescribed came to be known as chedasūtras. They are just like 'prāyaścittas' of the Vedic literature. They also provide direcious im tüe course to be adopted in unusual circumstances. They are six in number : 1. Niśitha.
4. Daśāśruta skandha. 2. Mahānisītha. 5. Bșhatkalpa. 3. Vyavahāra. 6. Jitakalpa.
The Sthānakavāsı sect of Svetāmbara Jaina accepts four only. It omits Mahāniśitha and Jitakalpa.
(4) Müla Sūtras–The significance of the term Müla also cannot be explained in clear terms. It does not occur in the ancient literature. There is a number of conjectures with the interpretation of this term. According to Winternitz these sūtras came to be known as Mūla-sūtras in contrast to their commentaries. Carpentier says that they were Mabāvira's own words. Schubring, accounts for the name for their being fundamental teachings of the Jaina cult. They are prescribed for a disciple at the beginning of his ascetic career. The last explanation appears more probable. It is also probable that they got this name as their original text was committed to memory and recited without explanation. This practice continucs even now. Mūlasūtras are five in number: 1. Uttarādhyayana,
4. Pindanijjutti, 2. Dasaveyaliya,
5. Ohanijjutti, 3. Āvassaya,
Sthāpakavāsips omit the last two. They do not recognise the two niryuktis as composed by Bhadrabāhu. Prof. Weber and Prof. Bülbar also admit the same on different grounds. The Sthānakavāsins exclude Avaśyaka also from the list of Mūlasūtras and add Nandi and Abuyogadvāra in its place, and make the number four.
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