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An investigation of the earlier subject matter of ...
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Mahāvīrabhāşita is substantially secured even today in Rşibhāṣita, Uñātädharmakathā, Sūtrakṣitānga and Uttarādhyayana. It seems that after separating the matter from the aforesaid works before the Christian era, the content was preserved in the form of an independent text named Isibhasīyāim. It has been a common practice in Jaina tradition that new matter had either been added in the form of cūlā or Cūlikā or a new treatise was formed taking out matter from any other work. For example, formerly Niśītha was added as cūlā of Ācārānga but later on it was separated from it and formed a new text entitled "Niśītha. Similarly, a new text entitled Kalpasūtra was formed from the eighth chapter (Paryūṣaņā-kalpa) of Āyāradasā (Daśāśrutaskandha). Hence, there is no objection in maintaining that in the beginning, the chapters of Isibhasīyāiṁ might have been added to Praśnavyākaraņa and then separating the matter from there, an independent text named Isibhasīyāim was formed. This statement of mine is not baseless but has certain grounds. Firstly, there is similarity in the two names, secondly there is a clear reference appearing also in Samavāyārga that the Praśnavyākarana contains the sayings of Pratyekabuddhas who were propounder of their own philosophy and critique of other systems of philosophy. (Panhāvāgaraņadasāsuņam sasamaya-parasamaya paņņavaya-patteyabuddha ... bhaşiyāiņam." It is said regarding Isibhasīyāim that it contains the sayings of Pratyekabuddhas. Samavāyānga by referring 'sa-samaya-para-samaya pannavaya patteyabuddha'declares that Pratyekabuddhas do not belong to Jaina tradition only but also to other traditions. The chapters concerning Mankhaligośāla, Devanārada, Asitadevala, Yāgyavalkya, and Uddălaka in Isibhasīyāim, also confirm this fact.
In my opinion, the oldest major portion of Pras'navyākaraņa even at present is quite secured in Isibhasīyāim, and some portions are preserved in the form of few chapters of Sūtrakṣitānga, Uñātādharmakathā and Uttarādhyayana. The subject matter contained in Tettaliputra chapter of Rşibhāşita is available intact in the 14th
chapter named Tettaliputra of jñātādharmakathā. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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