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Jaina Literature
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169
4. Works on religious preachings along with Jaina narrative
literature.
5.
Jaina literature on secular subjects.
So far as Jaina canonical literature is concerned it is composed in Prakrit in between 5th century B.C. to 5th century A.D. based on the preachings of the Tīrtharkaras. This canonical literature includes many books the details of which are found in Nandīsūtra (51h Century A.D.). The list of Nandīsūtra includes twelve Angas, six Āvaśyakas, thirty-one Kālika-sūtras and twenty-nine Utkālika-sūtras to a total of 78 works. According to Svetāmbara tradition out of these 78 works, one Anga-āgama i.e. Drstivāda, 15 Kālika-sūtras and 11 Utkālikasūtras are not presently available, but the remaining 51 works are available. According to Digambara tradition except a very little part of Drstivāda, all the canonical literature has been lost. It is believed that on the basis of some remaining part of the Drstivāda, Digambara Ācāryas have composed some works, such as Kasāyapāhuda, Satkhandāgama, Tiloyapaņņatti, Samayasāra, Niyamasāra, Pravacanasāra, Mūlācāra Bhagavatī-ārādhanā etc.
According to Svetāmbara tradition at present 11 Angas, 12 Upāngas, 6 Chedasūtras, 4 Mūlasūtras, 10 Prakīrņakas and 2 Cūlikāsūtras are available. This canonical literature was restored through five councils. The first council was held at Pāțaliputra after the 150 years of Mahāvīra's Parinirvāņa, under the leadership of Sthūlibhadra. The second council had taken place at mountain Kumārī in 2nd Century B.C. in Orissa, which was organized by the king Khārvela. The third and fourth councils took place at Mathura and Valabhí simultaneously in 3rd century AD. under the leadership of Arya Skandila and Nāgārjuna respectively. Before the third and fourth councils, canons were retained orally, it could be possible only in the fifth council at Valabhī in Gujarat in the year c. 453 or 466, where the canons were edited and given written form under the leadership
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