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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YATEENDRASURI SMARAK GRANTH We now relate only the terms of the Prakrit Various terms of the Labdhisara have been texts which denote a measure which could be cal- defined by Todaramala in the Arthasamdrsti culated to give a rough or fine gradation or topol- Adhikara of his samyakinana Candrika commenogy. One should note that a variable measure is tary. These terms like the Apakarsana, Utkarsana, given in an algebraic way, set theoretic in approach. etc. give operational details in the theory of Karma. Its measure is therefore given between its minimum. suitable value. This could be approximate also as
The relations between various entities have is found in several places of the Labdhisara or the
been given through several formulae, both in the Suryaprajnapti, Tiloyapannatti or the texts on the
Karma theory and the Cosmological theory. These Ganitanuyoga. Surely, this is based on probability.
formulae can be seen in a collected form in the
project work on the Labdhisara assigned by the . Datta had collected some terms and tried to Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.8 give their interpretation admitting that his attempt For Astronomy, published Doctoral thesis of Lishk.9 was premature. The Dhavala texts and the For Cosmological formulae, one can see the Karnataka Vrtti were not before him. However, his Mathematics of the Tiloyapannatti."10 point of view was only historical. yet one has to dewive deep into the theory also for showing the 3. Concluding Remarks definitions and their historical importance. Dr. A.N.
The appearance of the Ganitasara samgraha Singh also atempted the same way while he con
of Mahaviracarya in 1912, gave the first indication tributed articles on the mathematics of the Dhavala
of the existance of the Jaina School of Mathematcs and other texts. 14 However a study of the hierar
in the South India. It was a full book on practical chy of various topics is needed for fruitful results
mathematics. He was the first mathematician in the and recognition.
world to recognize the imaginary quantities. Most In this brief article we give certain mathemati
of his formulae may be seen in other forms in the cal terms out of which the asterisk marked will be Digambara Jaina texts on the Karma theory. Forthose whose measure could be rather ascertained
mulae given in the commentary of the Suryaprajnapti (translated into Hindi from their Prakrit version)
deserve special attention. The mathematics of the Parikkarma (eight operations-pratyutpanna,
medieval period may also be seen in the works on bhagahara, varga, vargamula, ghana, ghanmula,
astronomy and astrology which still await Hindi and sankalita and vyutkalita); jiva rasi*; Ajiva rasi";
English translation. These may be found in the salaka (counting rod); samkhyata*; asamkhyata*,
Digambara and Svetambara Grantha Bhandaras. Muhurta*; Antarmuthurta*: Samaya*; Pradesa*;
The Bhandara-keepers have to realize in right earVarga*; Vargana*: Spardhaka“; Gunahani"; Nana nest that it is their prime duty to engage Panditas Gunahani*; Anyanyabhyasta rasit;
to translate the still unpublished scientific works Samayaprabaddha*: pudgala paramanu rasit: into Hindi, rather than repeating publication of the Akasa pradesa rasi*: kala samaya rasi :
published works. In this respect we must acknowlKevalajnana rasi"; Kalpa"; Avali*; Rajju*: Yojana:
edge our indebtendness to the foreign scholars Kalasavarna; Yavat-tavat; Addha; Uddhara; who took interest in such affairs. Now the circumVyavahara; Ardhaccheda; Trikaccheda;
stances have changed and now we have to de. Vargasalaka; Vargita-samvargita; Vikalpa; pend on our own attempts, attitude and choice, in Bhanga; Samdrsti; Ganana Sthana; Oja and the larger interest of the culture. Yugma rasis; Gunasreni; Sarvadhana; Gaccha; Mukha; Madhyadhana; Adidhana; Uttaradhana:
References And Notes Dharas; Alpabahutva; Utsedha; Dhanusa; Bana; 1. Albert Einstein, Ideas and opinions, Calcutta, Viskambha; Ksetraphala; and so on.
1979. p. 271.