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NOVEMBER 2015
PRABUDDHJEEVAN
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the Tirthankaras (the pancakalayānakas), as well as The Digambaras consider segments of the 12th Anga the merits of Cakravartis and other legendary figures. Drstiāvad, preserved in the Satkhandāgama (Scripture (xii) Prānāvāya Pūrva (Ancient Text on Saving Lives] : in Six Parts) and the Kaşāyaprābhrta [Treatise on Pasdescribes the art and science of medicine, and related sions], to be the only surviving members of the authenpractices.
tic Jain canon adumbrated by Mahāvira. (xiii) Kriyā Viśāla Pūrva (Ancient Text on Human Skills] While the Svetāmbaras accept and recognise the au: exhaustively describes the intricacies of language, thority of the Satkhandāgama and the Kaşāyaprābhrta, the seventy two arts of men and the sixty four qualities they believe that the teachings of the Tirthankars have of women.
been perfectly preserved in extant texts. Among the (xiv) Loka Bindusara Purva (Ancient Text on the Es- Svetāmbaras the idol-worshipping Murtipujaka sect sence of Liberated Beings): describes in detail the im- counts 45 texts as its Agamas while the non-idol wormense, unceasing, boundless and eternal bliss enjoyed shipping sects, the Sthānakavasis and the Terāpanthis, by the Siddhas.
recognise the first 32 text of those 45 texts as their
Agamas. XXX
Manish Modi Given above was a brief description of the Agamas, common to both Jain traditions, Digambara and
ions, Digambara and The Śvetāmbaras consider the Şațkhandāgama and Svetāmbara.
the Kaşāyaprābhrta, as texts belonging to the common The Digambaras differ from the Svetāmbaras as they
tradition of Jains predating the split between the
Digambaras and the Svetāmbaras and preserved by consider the Agamas in their original form, with some exceptions, to be irrevocably and irreplaceably lost. The
the Yāpaniya sangha. Svetambaras believe that the original Agamas are in
* ** tact
manishymody@gmail.com
FIRST DEVOTEE
Gujarati : Muni Shri Vatsalyadeepji - Translation : Pushpa Parikh
This is a famous story of Neminath and Rajul. It is and lead an ascetic life. He disclosed his idea to Rajul known as Nem-Rajul Katha. Nemnath was a prince also and asked for a permission from Rajul to leave and his marriage was arranged with a beautiful prin- the city. Raiul kept quite but conveyed her concent by cess Rajul. The whole city was full of enthusiasm. The the expression of her eyes. whole city was very nicely decorated.
Nemnath explained her and told her that he will be While the marriage procession was nearing the waiting for her after achieving kevalgyan (ultimate pendal and a palace Nemnath sudenly asked the chari- knowledge). oteer to stop. He happened to listen cries of the ani
Nemnath after leaving the city kept on moving from mals so he inquired about the reason of the cry. When one city to another leading an ascetic life. After visiting he came to know that the animals were crying because
many cities he ultimately reached at Giriraj mountain they were being taken for slaughtering for serving a Where he achieved Kavalgyan. Then h used to preach good marriage lunch. He was very much upset after
sermons. Rajul was his first student to live an ascetic knowing the reason.
life. That was a great moment of victory for Nemnath He thought of returning and then go on a renuncia- and his atma was also enlightened in the Girnar mountion path. Rajul was waiting in the palace gallery and tain. watching Nemnath. When she saw Nemnath returning
*** she decided to go and meet him to know the reason. Pushpa Parikh, Kenway House, After knowing the reason even she was upset.
6/B, 1st Floor, V. A. Patel Marg, Mumbai-400 004. Nemnath had decided to renounce the worldly life Telephone : 23873611.
