Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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610 STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÚTRA [Ch. XI spoken language in the form of conversation. Though its stereotyped descriptions and linguistic style sometimes appear to be dry and unagreeable to the mind, it does not lack embellishment in any way. The total effect of the texture and spirit of the language of the Bhs, enriched with some literary flourishes, explaining the thoughts and ideas of Lord Mahāvīra inspires one to dive deep into its subject matters with more energy, vigour, patience and effort to collect the hidden treasure of knowledge and truth preserved in it. It is remarkable to observe how the richness of its vocabularies produces an equal effect on the minds of its readers by truly expressing, explaining and interpreting all aspects of its varied contents it has touched upon without faltering, slowness and haziness by presenting a clear and concise conception about them with logical nicety. As regards the technique of style, the Bhs originates with prose embodying the thoughts, ideas and activities of various religious leaders and conveys them through the language of the people in their own natural style in prose, for here the purpose is to teach religion to the people.. .
In the Bhs the author has used three styles, viz. descriptive explanatory and emotive in the presentation of its varied contents and explaining its subject matters in a clear, concise and explicit manner so that the message of the Law, embodied herein may be comprehended and realized by the people. He has lessened the continual repetitions of its contents by refering to them as occur. ring in its different places and in other works with the connecting word "Java'. A little variation has been made in its form by alternating questions and answers without long continuation. Thus he has relieved the monotony of the sermons by deliberately interposing dialogues and by presenting its varied subjects.
The literary value of the BhS lies in the fact that its rich language expresses clearly by its proper terminologies the thoughts and ideas of its creative genius, dealing with various aspects of Jaina Philosophy and History in the field of knowledge.
Thus this canonical work stands supreme as an outstanding encyclopædic literary work in the list of the Jaina Agamas produced by the creative genius of its age.