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Māhāvira had already practised what he preached. It serves well to illustrate and to set a high example of true ascetic's life. We can say thai description ot Upadhāna-śruta alone is sufficient to impart respectability to the whole set of ethical doctrine of Jainas. It is a demonstration of preachings, by the preacher himself, in its ideal from. Upadhāna-śruta, as it stands now, contains 69 gāthās divided into four Uddeśakas ( lectures ). According to Ācārāóga Niryukti“, the name of the four Uddeśakas are — Caryā (Ramblings), Sejjā ( seats ), Parisahas ( Endurance of Hardships ) and Acigiccha ( abandonment of medication ). These contain 23, 16, 14 and 17 gātās respectively. However, above division is not strictly and exclusively applicable to the content of Upadhāna-śruta. For instance fourth Uddeśaka, entitled (Acikitsa ) contains only two verses on abandonment of medication while description of hardships is found in second as well in third Uddeśakas.
Before, discussing the Sadhanā of Mahavira as depicted in Upadhānaśruta, an understanding of various meanings of the term 'upadhāna' is essential. In Sutrakrtănga-tika?, Upadhana has been defined as austerity leading to liberation. In Sthānānga-tika as that through whichśruta/knowledge respites and in Vyavahāra Bhāsya as that which enriches knowledge. In Jaina Upānga text, Aupapātika-sūtralo it means performance or doing. In Silanka's commentary on Acaranga it means pillow, in Upadeśapāda of Haribhadra” upadhi or Upādhi — meaning things/implements of attachment to worldly things. In Pravacana-sära" and Vidhimārgaprapa! it has been used as austerity performed for the reading of canonical sūtras. Generally the term is used for the particular austerity, observed, to attain knowledge.
Thus we can infer that the term comprehends all austerities and performances contributing to liberation. Acārārga Niryukti's, also confirms this view, where it has been, classified as Dravya and Bhāva. According to Niryukti, Dravya Upadhāna means bed, place of residence, etc. while Bhava Upadhāna is austerity and conduct. In the light of the foregoing discussion, we can say that the title of this chapter is absolutely right and comprehends the subject matter dealt within.
About the Sadhanā of Mahāvira, as described in this chapter, Dr. Tatia's16 observation is to the point. He likens it with Sadhanā of Buddha. He remarks, although it is not possible to have a full picture of the course of
meditation followed by the Nayaputta, the strands that we are able to gather Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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