________________
412
elaborate discussion about the development of the theory of karma as discussed in karma literature.
A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
If we study the Jaina cannonical literature, we find that 8th půrva out of the 14 pūrvas relate to the discussion about the theory of karma and it is called Karma Pravāda. Similarly, a part of the second pūrva is also called Karma Prabhṛta. A part of the fifth pūrva is called Kaṣāya Prabhṛta. There is a discussion on the karma theory in these works. The karma theory is elaborated in the purvoddhṛta literature coming after the pūrvas and based upon original discussion in the purvas. The nature of the development cannot be easily explained as much of the purva literature is lost, according to both the traditions of the Jainas. Though some pūrvoddhṛta karma śāstras are available to us but there are slight variations in the presentation of the theory of karma in the two traditions. Digambara tradition gives importance to Şaṭkhaṇḍāgama and Kaṣāyaprābhṛta as the two important works dealing with karma theory. In the Svetambara tradition we have Karma Prakṛti, Karma Śataka, Panca sangraha and Saptatikā. These are the pürvoddhṛta granthas.
In the prākaraṇika karma śāstras, we have numerous works and they are based on the pūrvoddhṛta karma literature.
This form of literature was given during the periods from Vikrama 8th century to the 16th or 17th century. Later litereature of the karma literature is the elaboration of the karma theory.
Jain Education International
From the point of language in which the karma theory has been presented we find there is abundant literature in prākṛt samskṛt and regional languages. Purvātomaka and pūrvoddhṛta literature is to be mainly found in Prākṛt language. The prakaraṇika karma literature is also to be found in Prakṛt literature along with its commentaries. Later writings on karma theories are generally in Samskrt. There is a good deal of literature on the karma theory in the regional languages like-Kannada, Hindi and Gujarati. Works in Kannada and Hindi mainly belong to the Digambara tradition and works in Gujarati refer to Svetambara tradition. On the whole, the literature on karma theory is very vast and we may estimate that the Digambara
.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
