Jaina World of Non Living

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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The Jaina world of Non-living
current versions should be taken as original as they seem to be heavily tinged with versional preferences. That is why, there is difference upto 17% as above in the two versions. It seems the original text must have been different from the currently available two versions. Each schism adapted to its own advantage to the maximum in their commentaries. The many anomalies found in the commentaries with respect to specific schismic points also support this point.
The Digambaras are said to be more conservative and traditional and, therefore, older in comparison to the progressive and liberal schism of Svetāmbaras. It is said that mythology and rituals precede religious systems. The inclusion of large amount of mythology in D-version indicates this to be more in tune with the original text.
Ācārya Umāsvāti seems to be the original author without any cognomen or title. Looking to the importance of the text, each schism later wanted to adapt him. Each adapted him with his own specific title, he became Gîddhapiccha for Digambaras and Vācaka for Svetāmbaras in due course.
It is seen that the major contents involving the spiritual and physical sciences in this text cover the early stage of many branches of learning of current age. The contents have been summarised by many scholars in short and long form. They could be summarised in a condensed form representing the basic themes, such as: (i) Philosophy, physical sciences and metaphysics : chapters 1, 2, 5, 8 (ii) Mythology and cosmology : chapters 3,4 (iii) Ethics for laity and monks : chapters 6, 7, 9, 10
J.L. Jaini has analysed the chapterwise contents in terms of groups of aphorism indicating the scopes of the subjects in modern terminology in his english translation of this text. This is the most elaborate summarisation and the reader is referred to his book. Commentaries on Tattvārtha-Sutra
As pointed out earlier, the popularity of this text could be judged from the large number of commentaries covering a period beginning from fifth century A.D. to to-date. They are in different languages including even German, Japanese and English. The JSK mentions 14 D +3 S commentaries (Tikās) and explanatories (Vārtikas) upto 16th century A.D. A large number has appeared since then in different languages like Hindi, Gujrati etc. along with many translations of the original text. The commentaries in Sanskrta are the most important of them. They give us an idea of logical, philosophical or conceptual development in their respective periods. They, thus, have literary as well as historical value. However, it is most surprising that almost all.
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