On Mathematical Contents of Jaina Prakrit Texts

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Z_Yatindrasuri_Diksha_Shatabdi_Smarak_Granth_012036.pdf

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On Mathematical Contents of Jaina Prakrit Texts
A Brief Survey
Prof Padmavathamma, H.O.D. Mathematics, Mysore University
Prof. L.C. Jain Hon. Director A.V.R.I.above Diksha Jewelers, 554, Sarafa, jabalpur (M.P.) INDIA (NORTH)
ABSTRACT
the Jaina Karma philosophy in the symbolic forms, Certain mathematical contents of the Prakrit
akrit arithmetical, algebraical and geometrical.? texts are simply described here in view of the sym
Mahaviracharya', the author of the Ganitasara bolic mathematic used in Karnataka Vritti of the samaraha, did collect the mathematical material from Gommatasara and the Labdhisara as elaborated
the Jaina source material and he goes beyond in by Pt. Todaramala. This consolidates the Karma
stating that whatever is more to be said may be theory in the Jaina School. The cosmological seen in the Agama. Sridharacharya is still contheory contains the astronomical and geographi- troversial, however, in the history of mathematics. cal mathematics which is quite simple for study yet deeper in approach to setting of mathematical
Still now we do not have the Jyotisapatala of background of a model.
Mahaviracharya, nor the Parikarma text or com
mentary work of Kundkundacarya. Similarly the 1. INTRODUCTION
commentaries of Tumbucluracarya and
Samantabhadracarya are not available which Let us start with a quotaton of the philosopher
could have told and traced the algebraic symbolscientist Albert Einstein, regarding mathematical ism of the Karnataka Vritti of Kesava Varni. achievements of the Greeks round about the Christain era, "We reverence Greece as the cra
There are several problems in the history of dle of western science. Here for the first time the
mathematics and science which could be solved world witnessed the miracle of logical system which
regarding the source in India if we could channelize proceeded from step to step with such precision
the talents of brilliant scholars of Jainism and that every single one of its propositions was abso. Prakrit towards this end in our universities. Bhopal lutely indubitable - I refer to Euclid's geometry. This
university has opened such a course in the departadmirable truimph of reasoning gave the human
ment of religion and culture recently. The problems intellect the necessary confidence in itself for its
are regarding the origination of and motivation of subsequent achievements. If Eculid failed to kin
a paradigm shift in the terminology and usage of dle your youthful enthusiasm, then you were not
symbols. In the Prakrit texts, we find the logical born to be a scientific thinker."
and philosophical co-mathematical terms, no doubt
as in other philosophies, but the mathematical If we go through the Jaina technical terms in manipulation through symbols is a peculiarity of the Prakrit texts of the Karananuyoga or the the Digambara Jaina School. There is also no Dravyanuyoga, we find that most of the terms are doubt that this was the achievement in the south importing mathematical significance. Philosophy perhaps round about the period of here is tinged with mathematics as Bertrand Russell Kundkundacarya, when writing of the scripture puts it, it is a beginning of a mathematical philoso- might have been in full swing, after the compilaphy. His work, Introduction to Mathematical Philoso- tion of the Satkhandgama' and the Kasayaphuda phy' is worth reading. If one reads the Karnataka texts. Round about this period we find certain revoVritti of the Gommatasara, one can carry the same lutionary events which speak of the mathematical impression, for it carries the mathematical details of talents of some genius. inimoimimaritionin rintosiominciano 14 incontinction infinitionsintrininin