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13. SOME DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF PAÑCĀSTIKĀYA
- Prof. Dr. Nalini Joshi, Pune
Introduction
When we look at Jainism, as a philosophical system (Darśana) the available Jaina literature can be devided into four ages. i) Canonical Age ii) Anekānta Age iii) Nyāya Age 'iv) Navya-Nyāya Age!. According to this division we can place Ācārya Kundkunda, on the border line of the first and second age. We can call it post-canonical period in which the topics like pramāna, naya, saptabhangī, anekānta etc. entered in the philosophical thoughts of Jainas. Ācārya Kundakunda and Vācaka Umasvāti are the self-illuminated stars of this age. There is no need to introduce Kundakunda, the literary giant and a saint with ultimate spiritual aspirations. I will prefer to throw light on some distinctive features of Pañcāstikaāya? based on my humble observations. 1. Probalbe chronology of Kundakunda's works:
(According to subjec-wise focus)
If we try to fix the chronology of the works of Kundakund, Astapāhuda, Dvādaśānuprekṣā and Daśabhakti belong to first group. Pravacansāra and Pañcāstikāya belong to the second group. Samaysāra is no doubt the crestjewel of the monumental literature. Though ratnatraya and nava-tattvas are discussed in each text, the focus of each treatise is seperate. The focus of Pañcāstikāya is of course of five extended and extensive substances and course the sixth dravya viz. kāla (time).
The words samaya and pravacana are very much favorite of Kundakunda. Therefore while describing five astikāyas, he says "HAARI TUTE DITASIA l'. ? At the end of Pañcāstikāya, he declares, ufori Taurin CarerTEHT I'. 4
In the initial benedictory verse, Kundakunda says, 'UTH fronui fechali which reminds Ardhamāgadhi tex'Urhù feronui ferChallui'Āvaśyaka."
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