Rai Paseniya Suttam Part 02

Author(s): N V Vaidya
Publisher: Khadayata Book Depo

Page 7

tion was laid of the great division between the two sects of the Digambaras (The sky-clad ones i.e. naked), and the Svetāmbaras or ("White-robed'ones). As a consequence of the difference the Digambaras refused to acknowledge the canon established by the Council of Pāțaliputra; they declared that the Pūryas and the Angas were irrevocably lost, The difference, however, did not result in a definite schism (Fraga ) at once. The actual separation took place in the year 79 or 82 A. D.
In the course of time the Canon, or Siddhānta, fixed in the Council of Pāļaliputra fell more or less into disorder until it was in danger of becoming totally extinct, owing to the scarcity of manuscripts. It was found necessary, therefore, to reduce it to order and to fix it in an authorised edition of manuscript books. This was done at a Council held in Vallabhi (in Gujarat) under the presidency of Devardhi Gani Kshamāshramaņa. This Council was convened 930 (or 993) years after the faaior of Aaratt, i. e. probably in 454 (or 467) of the Christian era. Our present classification is based on the decisions of this Council.”
The first part of the text is mainly taken up by the pilgrimage of the God Sūryābha to Mahāvīra. The whole narration is tedious and dull, full of detailed descriptions of various buildings, the celestial aerial car, and various other things. It also gives us the topography of the Sūryābha Vimāna, Jambūdvipa, and various other places. The thirty two types of dances are also described at length, though it is very difficult to have an exact idea of them.