Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Bhagavati Sūtra: As an Encyclopedic Work
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doctrines, 70 the historical episodes and the psychological things such as, karma, Lesyä, Bhāva etc.72 As the Bh.S also throws light on all these subjects, there is ample scope for comparison between the Uttarādhyayana and the Bh.S e.g. a subject like sumacāri, the code of conduct, which includes the routine activities of day and night and the time for performing pratikramana, pratilekhanā.
The Bh.573 gives in detail how to measure the time periods relating to the division of day and night. Another interesting commonality of the two is the description of the monks who undertake contemplations (bhāvanās), such as kändarpiki (regarding the amorous thinking), the kilbiśikī (regarding the definition of the omniscient, the preceptors, the ascetics etc.) Abhiyogiki (regarding the practice of forecasting, witchcraft) though the Uttarădhyayana focuses more on the malpractice of the ascetics given to such contemplation.74 It is, thus, clear that a student interested in comprehending Uttarādhyayana cannot succeed in his purpose unless he acquaints himself with the corresponding information given in the Bh.S. The Bh.S and the Nandi Sūtra
The Nandi Sūtra is essentially a treatise on Jain epistemology. The Bh.S75 also refers to the important features of Jain epistemology at various places, sometimes giving us the clue to resolve the mystery that may not be removed by the study of Nandi Sütru76. Thus, though Nandi Sūtra mentions that a clairvoyant can perceive infinite kinds of material substances, it is the Bh.S77 which declares that only a clairvoyant of the highest category (Parmävadhika) can know or see the ultimate atom and not others. Very important information about the successive occurrences of kevalajñāna and kevaladarśanu* is given in the Bh.S78 but the Nandi Sūtra does not explicitly mention whether or not the kevalajñāna and kevaladarśana occur simultaneously. In the Bh.S, it is said that the kevalajñāna knows and sees all the substances occupied in all the space, all the time and in all the modes. But we do not find such particular information in the Nandi Sūtra. Thus, the Bh.S must be taken into account while treating the subject of Jain epistemology.
The Bh.S and the Anuyogadvāra
The Anuyogadvāru like the Nandi Sūtra is also an important treatise on Jain logic and epistemology. Besides, it is a valuable work on Jain mathematics. The Bh.S too is a repository of important facts regarding these disciplines. It is, therefore, inevitable that one has to study simultaneously both these texts in order to grasp the essence of Jain doctrines. The Bh.S * Note: The problem of simultaneous occurrences of kevalajñāna and kevaladarśana is a bone of contention among the Jain logicians including Siddhasena, Jinabhadra etc. Upādhyāya Yaśovijayaji, however, tries to resolve the conflict through the application of Anekāntavāda.