Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): J L Jaini, F W Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 29

INTRODUCTIOX: GENERAL
XXV
as follows:-“ Tous les genres y sont représentés : d'abord la dogmatique, la morale, la polémique, et l'apologétique ; mais aussi l'histoire et la légende, l'épopée et le roman, la grammaire, la lexicographie et l'astronomie, voir le théâtre” (Essui de Bibliographie Juinu, p. xxxi). The Outlines only touch in the Appendices a few out of this vast variety of topics.
| Professor Jacobi in his article JAINISM (Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics) mentions in particular the numerous tales in Prakrit
nskrit emploved to illustrate works of a dogmatical or edifying character; further, Sanskrit poems, in plain or ornate style, and Sanskrit and Prākrit hymns. “Jain authors have also contributed many works, original treatises as well as commentaries, to the scientific literature of India in its various branches-grammar, lexicography, metrics, poetics, philosophy, etc."
The original language of the canon was a Prākrit, i.e. an early derivative of Sanskrit, spoken in Bihār: it is known as Arsha or Ardha-Nayadhi. In the existing Sretāmbara texts, modified by
ne, two dialects are distinguished, one being confined to verse ; while the Digambaras employ a third. The early commentaries were in Prākrit. Sanskrit, first emploved by the Digambaras, has been predominant since about 1000 A.D., although the Prākrit has continued in use. Of modern dialects the Mārwārī, a special form of Hindi, and Gujarāti are preferred.-F. W. T.