Samavayangasuttam

Author(s): Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology

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has been abridged in one specimen but written in its full version in the other. The commentators also mentioned it in many places. Date of Composition of Ardhamāgadhī Literature
Ardhamāgadhī canons are, undoubtedly, the earliest of the Prakrit extant literature. First part of Ācārānga is prior to the earliest of the Prakrit canons and dates back approximately to c. 5"-4" cent. BC. Ācārānga, composed in Upanisadic style is voice of Lord Mahavira, itself. Description in it is bereft of any element of exaggeration and supernatural element. Thus, certainly the lower limit of composition ofāgamas is c. 5"-4" cent. BC.
However, the whole of Ardhamāgadhī literature was neither composed in a spur of moment nor by a single man. The present form of Ardhamāgadhi canons was assumed during the last redaction held at Valabhi (V.N.S.980). To conclude on this basis that Ardhamāgadhī canons were composed after c. 55" cent. A.D. will be quite misleading. The visible vividity in subject matter, language and style of extant canons, is clear evidence that editing has not interfered with the individuality and originality of the texts.
Ardhamāgadhī canons are replete with interpolations creaped into later . on, but are distinguishable and may be easily identified. On account of
interpolations it will not be proper to consider respective works as posterior. :: Another factor, working against the antiquity of Ardhamāgadhī canons, is the visible effect of Mahārāstrī on their languages but the scribes and commentators were responsible to a greater extent for this. Therefore, the effect of Mahārāstrī on Ardhamāgadhī must not be taken as the ground of posteriority of the Ardhamāgadhi canons.
· Ardhamāgadhi canons contain cultural milieu of different periods. In fact, to determine the date of a particular text or that of a specific portion of a particular text, the cultural data, philosophical content, language and style, etc. all the aspects must be carefully considered. Clues regarding the subject-matter of Ardhamāgadhi canons can be had from the Sthānānga, Samavāyānga, Nandīsūtra. Nandīcūrņi and Tattvārthabhāsya among