Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

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Chandrabhal Tripathi
Muni Punyavijaya is himself preparing an edition of the complete Mahänisiha. Though we could not wait for his edition to be published, we await it with high expectations. It will be then easy and comfortable to study the Mahānisīha in one book, while it has to be studied at present in not less than three volumes, wherein three scholars have, for example, prepared five glossaries according to their individual preferences. The reader may excuse us for this uncomfortable situation. The editors can, however, claim to have critically worked upon the text.
8.2.2 Already in 1918, I attentively studied the then available Mss. which allowed me only a general survey; on the basis of better material and better understanding I would now not keep unchanged many of the views expressed therein. However, the following, along with some more, remarks retain their validity, if, at the end of my studies, I may characterize the curious work again.
8.2.3 The Mahānisiha does not fit into the framework of the Canon, although some stylistic devices have been employed to create such an impression. There are exegetical quotations in äryäs. Besides agama and siddhanta (!) younger literary genres are mentioned in the text. More than one vijjā = vidya "charm" appear in magical script, where even Apabhramsa is not missing. The question of the residence (where should the monks stay: in sacred buildings or in private houses) is discussed with vehemence. The compiler is a zealot advocate of staunch discipline of monks. His attitude is due to the conditions of his time, which he observed. His is a period of decadence, caused by the notorious Kalkin (= Mihirakula). The prophecy in VII.44 (MNSt.C,p.88) refers to a date "a little more than 1250 years" after Mahavira's nirvana, traditionally dated 527 BC. (addha-terasanham vāsa-sayāṇam sâiregāṇam samaikkantāṇam parao: C,p.88.7), i.e. to a date little later than 623 AD; this date lies nearly one hundred years after the victory over Kalkin in 527 AD. In this wording we detect a hint for the date of the MNA. 8.2.4 The compiler deals zealously with the personal and social behaviour of the monks and nuns, individually and collectively, and towards the gaccha (a new term instead of the older gana), and as a leader of the gaccha. Of the monks he damands an absolute honesty in admitting their offences and in faithfully executing the penance and atonement. The results of bad behaviour are indeed dreadful in this world and also in the worlds hereafter. We get astronomical figures which denote the duration of