Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 363

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. VI
The evidences of the art of writing are also fully corroborated by the other Jaina texts which refer to 'Lekha' (writing) as one of the seventy-two arts (Kalā).1
The Rayapaseniya Suya gives a list of different kinds of writing stuffs, such as pattaga (leaves), kambiya (wooden board), dora (thread), ganthi (knots), lippasana (ink-pot), chandana (lid), samkala (chain), masi (ink), lehani (pen), akkhara (letters) and potthaya (book), while the reference to Lehariya occurs in the Avasyaka Bhasya" and in the Curni'.
In the commentary on the Samavayanga there are also the evidences of the art of writing and inscribing letters on different writing materials, such as, leaves, bark, wood, ivory, iron, copper, silver and of shaping them by cutting those stuffs according to their size and of combining them with one another (saŇkramana to have the correct formation of the sentences and their meanings.
Besides these, there occur references in the other Jaina texts to the despatch of diplomatic letters by the kings through their ambassadors before waging the actual war against their respective enemy-rulers, forged letter (kudaleha), love letters,10 sealed letters," etc.
1 Nayadhammakahão, 1. p. 11; Ovaiya Suya-40; Rayapaseniya Suya-211; Samavayanga, p. 177a. Jambu Su II-2. p. 136f. Vide 'Life in Ancient India'-p. 172, f.n. 27. 2 Rayapaseniya Suya, 131.
3 Avasyaka Bhasya, 76 (Niryukti Dipikā, 1, p. 90a.)
4 Ib, p. 248. See 'Life in Ancient India' p. 175.
There is the mention of writing on
P.
5 Avasyaka Curni, p. 530. See 'Buddhist India' the bhujjapatta in this work. 117. 6 The Vasudevahimdi (p. 189) refers to the writing of a book on the copper leaf. Besides, there are copper plate Inscriptions of many kings.
7 Commentary on the Samavayānga, p. 78.
8 Nirayavaliya Sutta.
10 Uttaradhyayana Tika, 13, p. 191a.
11 Bṛhat Kalpa Bhāṣya Pithikā, 135; Nisitha Curni, 5, p. 87 (Mss.)
9 Uvāsagadasa?, 1, p. 10.