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An investigation of the earlier subject matter of ...
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(C) Nandisūtra
The references regarding the subject matter of Praśnavyākaraņa in Nandīsūtra is simply a summarized account of Samavāyārga. The ideas and language are almost identical. The only specialty of the text is that it refers forty-five adhyayanas of Praśnavyākarana whereas Samavāyānga refers forty-five samuddeśana-kālas. There is no mention of forty-five adhyayanas of Praśnavyākaraṇa in Nandīsūtra'.
(D) Tattvārthavārtika
Tattvārthavārtika defines the term Praśnavyākaraṇa as explanation of questions by raising objections, and their removal through cogent explanations from various viewpoints and thereby determining the meaning of classical and Vedic terms". (E) Dhavalā
The subject matter of Praśnavyākarana as revealed in Dhavalā slightly differs in content from that of Tattvārthavārtika. Dhavala refers to four types of tales i.e. Āksepani, Viksepaņi, Samvedani and Nirvedani found in Praśnavyākaraņa. It also mentions that Āksepaņītype tales propound the theory of six existences (Dravyās) and nine categories (tattvas) after refuting the doctrines of others (para-samaya). The Viksepaņí tales establish self-doctrine after removing the objections raised by others. Samvedani is a tale of virtue (Punya) or meritorious deeds, which contains a description of the prosperity of Tīrthankaras, Ganadharas, Rșīs, Cakravartins etc. Nirvedani tales narrate the results of sin or de-meritorious deeds. It gives a graphic description of worldly sorrows like hell, animal life, decease, old age and death etc. It also states that Praśnavyākarana describes destruction, anxiety, gain, loss, happiness, sorro':', birth, death, name object, substance, age and number on the 'asis of questions?. Thus we can say that there is no similarity regarding the subject matter of Praśnavyākaraņa in the ancient Jaina Agamic texts.
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