Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 34

Sec. I
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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The Vanhidasão (Vrsņidaśa) also deals with similar legends of the twelve princes of the Vanhi race (Vrsni race), such as, Nisadha (Nişadha), Mabānişadha, etc. It treats of the history of Nişadha, son of Balarāma and nephew of Krşņa in Bārāvaż (Dvārāvatī). In his previous birth he was said to have been devoted to the study of the eleven Angas commencing with sāmāyika under the tutorship of Siddhattha.
The ten Painnas (Prakirņakas) which form the third group of the texts of the Agamas are “melanges” small treatises of verse starting precisely with some points of discipline, ritual, or mythology. They are as follows:
(1) Caisaraņa (Catuh Sarana), four refuges in 63 verses, namely (n) Şad-āvaśyaka and the Sāmāyika which enumerates six daily observances necessary for adopting a life devoid of sin, (b) Pratikramana, the manual of confession, (c) Pratyakhyāna-(renunciation) (or review of general discipline), (d) Caturvinsatistava vandanās which glorify the twenty-four Tirthankaras and pay homage to their virtues.
(2) The Aura-paccakkhāņa (Āturapratyākhyāna), composed in 70 verses with an insertion in prose after verse 10, treats of the supreme renunciation.
(3) The Bhattaparinnā (Bhaktaparijñā) reminds the monks of the way they should prepare themselves for death.
(4) Santhāraga (Saṁstāraka) (the pallet of straw)--It gives in detail a particular point of the death ritual, preparation for the saintly death (paņạitamarana). It describes the bed of grass or straw on which the dying monk should spread himself for meditating on the truth taught by the Master.
(5) Tbe Tandulaveyaliya-(Tandulavaikālika), a treatise on philosophy composed in the form of dialogue between Gautama Indrabhūti and Lord Mahāvīra gives successively the state of foetus in the womb of the mother (dans la matrice), the birth of the child, the diverse state of existence, the rital functions and the maladies' in which a man falls. The text is partly in prose and partly in verse.
Tandulnveyâliya-31 : Bala : Kidda upto Sāyani ya dasanā. Kāladasa. See Dasaveyāliya-v. 10.