Science and Art of Calligraphy and Painting

Author(s): S Andhare
Publisher: Indian National Science Academy

Page 32

14 Until such time the monks and the literary men were able to remember the oral teachings of Mahavira, the need to write down the canonical literature was not realised. On the other hand, the religion prohibited writing of holy texts as it amounted to aparigraha (limitation of possessions), which is one of the essential modes of conduct of the Jains. Naturally the necessity of writing and writing material did not arise.
9191992
As a matter of fact, several centuries after the Christian era, a peculiar situation arose. Due to the four consecutive deadly famines that struck the country of Magadha, one after the other every twelve years, normal life had become insecure and unbearable. Naturally, it became increasingly difficult for the old jain monks to survive. Starvation and malnutrition resulted in the loss of their memories and the oral tradition was on the brink of extinction. Not only this but a good number of senior monks died also. Finally, after a long spell of conflicting arguments between the two Sects, the Shvetambaras summoned a council of monks at Mathura in the 4th century A.D. and two thereafter in quick succession at Valabhi in Saurashtra, around the same period. It is here, under the guidance of Acharya Devardhagani, that the two groups agreed to commission the radiation of the sacred texts. Subsequently, learned monks appear to be writing supplementary texts clarifying certain points from the holy texts in the form of Niryuktis, Sangarhanis, Bhashyas and Churnis as
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Fig23
An illustration from a golden Ms