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Śramaņa, Vol 59, No. 2/April-June 2008
occult sciences, which was considered as Pāpa-śruta, was included in the primary canons to promote the interest of non-Jains in Jaina order. But looking into its misuse and possible diversion of ascetics class from their meditation and sādhanā to the practice of occult sciences, it was deemed proper to separate the account attached to these sciences and to replace them by the description of five gates of Āsrava (influx of Karma) and five gates of samvara (stoppage of influx of Karma) in the text. The great commentators of Praśnavyākaraņa like Abhayadeva and Jñānavimala have also concurred with this view for the vital change in its subject matter22.
It is a question worth consideration as to when the ancient subject matter of Praśnavyākaraṇa was separated from it. Abhayadevasūri, in his learned commentaries on Sthānānga and Samavāyārga have clearly mentioned that the subject matter contained in these text is not available is present Praśnavyākaraņa". Not only that, he had also written commentaries only on the existent Pras'navyākaraṇa consisting of ten chapters - first five dealing with Asrava' (influx of karmas) and the last five giving an account of Samvara (stoppage of the influx of karmas). Hence, the minimum period for the existent edition should be fixed prior to 1080 A.D. The account of the subject including problem of one or two śrutaskandhas furnished by Abhayadevasūri also informs us that before commentary of Abhayadevasūri there was one more commentary written on the present edition of Praśnavyākaraņa in Prakrit. That period should be two three centuries prior to Abhayadeva i.e. near about 8ih century A.D. Besides, Ācārya Jinadāsagani Mahattara had completed his cūrņion Nandisātra in Saka era 598 or 676 A.D24. He had provided clear indication regarding the interpretation and explanation of five samvara etc. It proves that before 676 A.D. the Praśnavyākarana with the description of five Asrava and Samvaradvāra was existent25. Thus, active period for composition of present Pras'navyākaraṇa can be fixed later than 6h century A.D.
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