Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
Jainism, is also designated as atithi-samvibhāga - sharing with atithi - the ascetic, or Sadhu (bearing a special Jaina meaning of ascetic or monk or sadhu) by Ācāryas like Umäsvami, as vaiyavrtya (rendering service to monks by householders) by Samantabhadra, Vasunandi etc., as atithi- dāna giving alms etc., to monks) by Amrtacandra, and as atithi-puja (adoration of monks or Sadhus) by a few others, in their respective treatises on Śrāvakācāra.
But it is Somadevasūri alone who uses the simple term dana throughout his treatment of the subject at considerable length in Kalpa 43, spread over about 87 verses (765 to 852) of his Upasakadhyayana, a portion of the reputed Yasastilaka-campū.
Jainācāryas, both in the Digambara and Svatāmbara traditions, generally recognize the following five factors of Dāna in their treatment of the subject:
(1) Patra - the recipient (2) Dātr - the giver (3) Dātavya (Dravya) - the thing to be given (4) Dāna-vidhāna - the method of giving (5) Dāna-phala - the fruit (resuit) of giving
Moreover, they generally present the following classification of the first factor of dāna viz., pātra - one who is fit for receiving gist or charity, as follows:
(1) Uttama patra - the best recepicnt (Jaina monk or Sadhu)
(2) Madhyama patra - the mediocre recipient (the householder mounting the ladder of pratimas)
(3) Jaghanya patra - the least Satisfactory recipient (the layman equipped with right belief, but not yet duly observing the enjoined vows)
But Somadevasūri presents an additional classification of pātras that categorically introduce into the practice of this Disciplinary vow of Gift by the houscholder, some progressive innovations that conspicuously reflect the Acārya's pointed foresight and dynamic attitude in recognizing the useful services of erudites,