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aphorisms list things from one to Kota-koti (1014) and the remaining aphorisms contain information of
miscellaneous nature. 5. Vyākhyā-Prajñapti or Bhagavatīsūtra)-A treatise with
eight hundred and sixty-seven aphorisms in forty-one chapters and with many sub-chapters in each, it contains the explanations and analyses of various things, concepts and precepts as given by Lord Mahāvīra to Ganadhara Gautama. The explanations given in this treatise are in the form of questions and answers. Ganadhara Gautama asks questions related to the fundamental principles, which are then answered by Lord Mahāvīra. At many places, in this treatise, there are descriptions of discussions between the followers of Lord Mahāvīra and those of the twentythird Prophet Lord Pārsvanātha wherein the latter were convinced of the importance of the five dimensional faith (Pañcayāma dharma) preached by Lord Mahāvīra under the changed circumstances and embraced it with pleasure. Amongst other things this work also mentions the historically important events such as two great wars fought, in Vaiśāli, between the Vajjis and the Ajātaśatru Kunikaon one side and almost all the rest of the kingdoms and republics of the eastern and central India (comprising nine Mallakis, nine Licchavis, Kāśī, Kausala and the
eighteen other republics) on the other. 6. Jñātā-Dharmakathārga - A treatise in two parts
(Śrutaskandha), it contains moral and religious stories told by the Lord (Iñātaputra) Mahāvīra. The nineteen chapters of the first part contain nineteen moral stories, which uphold moral values and expound morality. Ten stories of the second part are religious stories that aim at propounding and establishing the Jainatenets through this medium of lucidly told captivating stories. All of them aim at promoting the value of renunciation, restraint and penance towards the attainment of spiritual emancipation.
150 : JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
