Sadhna of Mahavira as Depicted in Upadhan Sruta

Author(s): Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Z_Yatindrasuri_Diksha_Shatabdi_Smarak_Granth_012036.pdf

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Sadhna of Mahavira as Depicted in Upadhan Sruta
- Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh
Acarangasutra, the first of the eleven Angas, deals with the conduct or acara. Remarkably the term acara' as used by Mahavira does not con note merely moral conduct, rather, it is of five kinds - knowledge, faith, self-discipine, austerities and spiritual exertion. Thus, it is clear that acara comprehends all the three right means of liberation, i. e. faith, knowledge as well as conduct. As Acarangasutra describes the means of obtaining liberation, it has been designated in Acaranga Niryukti, as the essence of the entire Jaina Instruction · (Ittha Ya mokhovao esa ya saro pavayanassa). Acaranga Niryukti Verse 91.? It is divided into two Srutaskandhas. It is now generally agreed that first Srutakandha is the oldest part of of Jaina canons as a whole. Second Srutakandha of Acaranga known as Cula is certainly a subsequent addition. At present, first Srutaskndha contains eight chapers only but the tradition holds that originally it had nine chapters, its eight chapter Mahaparijna, now being extinct. Some scholars believe that its ninth chapter Upadhansruta is also added in later times. Jacobi also held this view. To quote his words - The last lecture, a sort of popular ballad on the glorious suferings of the prophet, was perhaps added in later times; (Sacared Books of the East, Intro P. XLVII - pt.1i), However, valid this claim may be yet it is undoubtedly older in relation to rest of the canonical texts. This chapter, may rightly, be acredited to have the oldest depiction of Mahavira's life, that too, in a realistic and natural way, without any exaggeration. Padmabhusana Pt. Daisukhabhai Malavania,“ also held that Upadhanasruta, presented a realistic account of Mahavira's life of sandna, after initiation (to attainment of omnisocience). Dr. Tatias has also expressed the similar view infact, the biography of Mahavira in the Ayaro, chapter IX, which undoubtedly is the oldest and at the same time absolutely free from mythology, is an illustration of the extreme type of asceticism, adumberated in the text.
The description of Upadhana Sruta is a testisony to the fact that Mahavira had already practised what he preached. It serves well to illustrate and to set a high example of true ascetic's life. We can say that description of Upadhanasruta alone is sufficient to impart respectability to whole set of ethical doctrine of Jainas. As it is a demonstration of preachings by the preacher himself, in its ideal from. Upadhanasruta, as it stands now, contains 69 gathas divided into four Uddesakas (lectures). According to Acaranga Niryukti, the name of the four uddesakas are - Cariya (Ramblings). Sijja (Seats), Parisahas (Endurance of Hardships) and Acigiccha (abandonment of medication). These contain 23, 16, 14 and 17 gathas respectively. However, this division is not stricity and exciusively applicable to the content of Upadhanastruta. For instance fourth Uddesaka, entitied Acikitsa contains only two verses on abandonment of medication, and description of Hardship is found in lind as well in lrd Uddesakas.
Before, discussing the sadhana of Mahavira as depicted in upadhanastruta, an understanding of various meanings of term 'upadhana' is essen. tial. In Sutrakrtanga tika? Upadhan has been de. fined as austerity leading to liberation, in Sthananga tika8 as that through which sruta/knowledge res. pites and in Vyavahara Bhasya tika as that which enriches knowledge. In Aupapatika sutra." it means performance or doing, in Silanka's commentary on Acaranga" it means pillow, in 2 Upadespanda of Haribhadra, upadhi or Upadhi meaning things, implements or attachment to worldly things. In Pravacana sayra" and Vidhimargaprapa?" it has been used as austerity performed for the reading of canonical sutras. Generally the term used for that particular austerity, observed to attain knowldedge.
We can say that the term comprehends all austerities and perfomances contributing to liberation. Acaranga Niryuktiis also confirms this view.