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Metrical Studies of Daśāśrutaskandha
Niryukti in the light of its parallels
Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh
An observation, attributed to the eminent scholar of Jainism, L. Alsdorf, in context to the objective as well as composition of Niryuktis, read thus- 'Niryuktis are metrical notes committed to memory by the monastical teacher as a reminder in his class, this practical purpose sanctioned the means of occasional neglecting grammar, vowel quantities and the full form of words'.' This observation, especially its latter part, sounds as a sort of allegation or tends to give impression that ancient Jaina Ācāryas were negligent or did not bother much about the verse-form or grammar in their compositions. In other words, Niryuktis are replete with erroneous metrical compositions and grammatical mistakes. How far this observation is valid? To measure the validity of this statement, I have made an attempt to check the verse-form of Daśāśrutaskandha Niryukti gathas in the light of its different recensions available, as well as direct parallels and counterparts, found elsewhere, in Jaina literature. Besides, I have also tried to suggest correct readings, in case of incorrect gāthās.
Before coming to the main topic, a few words on the composition and method of treatment of subject matter in Niryuktis and on the number of găthās of Daśāśrutaskandha Niryukti, its topics, its parallels and counterparts and on Prāksta metres, will not be irrelevant.
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