________________
Repetition in Jaina narrative literature
39
on other continents. This means a multiplication not only of the figures within the series of one system but of the system as such.
(2) The 63 great men of our system are spread over 32 periods (so-called grhas) — a technical device for the organization of the narrative material within the avasarpini. For the exact distribution the reader is referred to fig. 8 31.
(3) Each great man is related to three dimensions and part of three series: systematic, genealogical, and karmic dimensions (Rsabha = 1st Jina / son of Nabhi / last member in a chain of reincarnations).
(4) An underlying principle (which is non-repetitive) is deterioration », the Golden Age at one end and the destruction of life at the other. This is seen inter alia as a regression in number, e.g. in the lifespan of the Jinas (fig. 8). The regression is irregular or semi-irregular (e.g. compare the varṣa-sahasra sequence in fig. 8).
(5) There are irregularities in the general structure which do not belong to the field of regression. Thus Jinas 16, 17 and 18- and only these three are Jinas and Cakravartins at the same time.
(6) The material of the UH is either repetitive or non-repetitive. In the former case, we have three main types of repetition: slot-filler repetition, repetition of stereotype episodes, repetition of tale-types (of motifeme sequences). The three categories of mahāpuruṣas are not uniform in this respect. Again the different biographies within one and the same series contain a varying amount of non-repetitive material (= original material). There are also fluctuations in the rendering of the stereotype episodes (§ 14).
(7) There are similarities between the Jina (« Dharmacakravartin >>), the Cakravartin, and the Vasudeva («< Ardhacakravartin »>).
Our list is analytical and abstract. It does, for example, not say (point 1) how many systems there are in all, nor does it indicate (point 3) whether the three dimensions are correlated in one way or the other.
Above, we have characterized the «< earlier versions » of the UH as << differing in date, size, and character, and all incomplete ». Here, and in the case of Varga Literature, it is problematic to explain away structural features by historical hypotheses. It can be argued that the present Varga Literature is a substitute for an earlier Varga Literature which
31. The table is part of the commentary tradition within the Avaśyaka cluster. Our fig. 8 is based on the table found on p. 251 of the edition of Jñanasagara's Avacurņi (DLJP 108). « Nārāyaṇa» (third column) is another name of Lakṣmaṇa. Due to the rapid regression, it was necessary for the ancient authors to use changing units (see columns 4 and 5 for height and life-span). A purva is 8.400.000. Rṣabha's life-span was « 84 pūrva-lakṣaḥ» (84 lakṣa-pūrvāņi) or « 84 x 100.000 x 8.400.0002 ».
