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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
फरवरी-२०१६
14
श्रुतसागर
lexicography, music, history, biography, astronomy, etc., besides works on their ceremonial and ritualism. Out of the many authors, only a few need be mentioned here, Bhadrabahu Suri composed "Niryuktis" on ten works of the Jain canon, also a work on astronomy. Devarddhi Gani, the Kshamashramana, is the redactor of the sacred canon; 980 years after Mahavira, the last Arhat. Devarddhi, seeing that all the canonical woks were being lost in course of time, caused them to be written down. Before that time the sacred literature was handed down from master to disciple without the help of books. Siddhasena, the Divakara, converted King Vikramaditya to Jainism, and is the author of many philosophical works. Haribhadra, a Brahmin by birth and a covert to Jainism, composed 1,444 Prakaranas (short treatises) on various subjects. Malaygiri is another well-known author. Abhayadevasuri wrote commentaries on nine principal canonical works. Devendra Suri wrote works on Karma etc. Dharmasagara contributed a work on the history and beliefs of heterodox sects. Hemchandra, the well-known encyclopaedist, brought Prince Kumarapala of Gujarat to Jainism, and is the reputed author of three crores and a half of couplets. Yashovijaya wrote many works. Muni Atmaramji, who died only four years ago, composed several works in popular style, thus bringing home the Jain philosophy to the masses.
In the literary world of India Jains justly claim the credit of accurate recording of history. Accurate chronicling of events and historymaking seldom find a place in the ancient works of Hindus. Among the Jains, however, the case is different. Since the time of their first literary activity they have been recording the most important historical events of the time. Authors and commentators mention, at the end of their respective woks, the names of their spiritual predecessors and the work done by them. Jain Pattavalis' lists to spiritual heads of the community, with a short sketch of their lives and description of the leading events of the time, are well-known, and are being earnestly studied by German Oriental scholars and Professor Bendall of London. Jacobi, Klatt, Buhler, and last but not the least my friend Professor Leumann, of the Strassburg University, have settled many points of Jain history with the aid of these Pattavalis. (Countinue...)
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