Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

Page 69

MAHĀNISĪHA STUDIES AND EDITION IN GERMANY
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existences, and an inimaginable lengthy series of catch-words which emphasize their number. Limitless is, on the other hand, the gain won by the unconditional confession which is the Absolute Knowledge (kevala-jñāna). It is astonishing to observe, how, according to our text, a monk or a nun, just because of honest confession, equals a muni who, as the old texts describe, has to practice indescribable asceticism and deepest concentration to achieve kevala-jñāna.
8.2.5 In another point, the compiler takes recourse to over-simplification. The protection of all living beings is naturally demanded [by Jainism], conspicuous in our text is the emphasis attached to the protection of souls in water- and fire-bodies. This may have been caused by a certain negligence which had spread in the Jaina sangha. Every now and then the water and fire (au + teu) are connected with mehuna. Maithuna is namely an extraordinary case of praṇatipata. because in the yoni of a woman exist innumerable (to be precise 900.000) living beings, and they are destroyed by the sexual activity. This is surely an invention of the compiler, may be inspired by the Prajñāpanā
sutra.
8.2.6 The legends in this text may be equally ascribed to the compiler, even when he 'is dependent on his source (Nandisena, Meghamälä), or when he completely borrows it (Rajja). The Mahänisiha is in any case a conglomerate prepared intentionally as has been examined in detail and proved beyond doubt by us in MNSt.A. In this text inspired by the Canon, there is naturally Ardhamagadhi to a considerable extent amongst the Jaina-Mähäräştri, and this is in a partly degenerated condition. The grammatical gender is mostly neglected, verbal forms are at places debased; the nom.sg.masc. ends, like that of pronouns, in -e. As there is no parallel case, we can regard all this as vagaries of the compiler, and we may add his numerous incorrect slokas and his naiveté in matters of dogma. He is a learned deviant (Außenseiter) and his text is an Apocryph to the Canon (siddhanta). This text, to freely quote Martin Luther, "does not equal the Holy Script, still is useful and easy to read".
8.2.7 This was and is, however, not always the attitude towards the MNA. The Sthanakavāsī because of their orthodox position reject it, as the idols of the Jina are dealt with therein, and they reject also the temples where the idols are worshipped. Even earlier, before the period of a thousand years, the MNA, though included in the