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Studies in Jainology. Prakrit
which can be said to comprise the Ardhamgadhi canon and the Pro- canon of the Digambaras.3 The Ardhamagadhi canon consists of 45 books composed in different periods, the texts like the Acaranga Sutra belonging to as early a period as 400 B.C. This canon, as is available now, was finally redacted and put to writing in 454 A.D. The subjects covered by these texts are encyclopaedic with religion, philosophy, metaphysics, ontology, logic, ethical teachings, moral exhortations, didactic tales, cosmography, historical and semi-historical legends, etc. The Pro-canon of the Digambaras is grnerally divided into four parts : (1) Prathamānuyoga, (2) Caranānuyoga, (3) Karanānuyoga and (4) Dravyānuyoga. The Satkhandāgamas, the works of Śivakotyācarya, Kundakunda, Vattakera, Yetivrsabha, Yogindradeva, Nemicandra, etc. are highly esteemed. The value of all these canonical works of the iwo sects lies in the fact that they laid down for the masses higher values of life like Ahimsā and other ethical principles, which influenced the contemporary and later life of the Indian people in respect of peaceful attitude, respect for others' views, vegetarianism, etc. Some scholars think that the roots of the modern political doctrine of non-violence go back to such teachings preserved in and handed over through these canonical works.14
A huge mass of commentorial literature in Prakrit has grown around the Ardhamagadhi canon (and also a part of the Pro-canon) taking the forms of Niryuktis, Bhasyas, Cūrnis and other exegetical works from which arose, later, vast and varied types of narrative literature : biographies of religious celebrities, legendary tales of didactic motives, illustrative fables, parables, popular romances, fairy tales, Kathanakas, Kathakośas, etc. It may be noted in this context that the Prakrit languages replaced logical arguments by interesting fables, parables and other tales for illustrating religious doctrines and ethical principles more effectively and, hence, they could contribute their own to the field of fables, parables and other facets of story literature. It is noted that the Prakrit fable literature was the precursor to the Pañcatantra which has made a notable contribution to the world literature. It is also an
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