Visesavasyakabhasya Part 3

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, Bechardas Doshi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 9

why only the 'Sāmāyika' is explained and not the entire Avaśyakasūtra. The answer to this question given by Ac. Jinabhadra is as follows. Out of the six chapters of the Avaśyakasūtra, the one which deals with 'Samāyika' is considered to be frist and foremost because sāmāyika is of the nature of equanimity and serves as the basis of all other spiritual qualities. Or,.it is so because all other chapters could be included in the first one viz Sāmāyika, the reason being that Sāmāyika is of three types, jñāna, darśana and cāritra-tbe trio which includes all the qualities of soul. That is why it is said that the commentary on the Samāyika is the basis of all other commentaries, and one who masters it can write commentary on the remaining part of the Sutra.' On this account 'Samayika' chapter only is commented upon.
There are reasons to believe that in olden days 'Sāmāyika' was an independent work and did not form a chapter of the Avaśyakasutra. In the Sutras like the Bhagavati where occurs discussion on the curriculum of & monk we generally find the remark: 'Samaiyaiyāim ekkārasa angăim' ("eleven on a works beginning with 'Samāyika'). This has established antiquity of the 'Sāmāyika'. Moreover, in the the Titthogālio where we find the discussion on the problem of the extinction of the Āgamas, the Avaśyakasūtra is regarded as extant; this means that the Avaśyakasutra is understood to be ever extant. From this we can legitimately infer that even in the days of Lord Mahavira the 'Samnāyika' was extant. He acquired it through tradition. On this account 1! is mentioned independent of the Angas like Ācāra anga etc. In the list of the angabāhya works that occurs in the Tattvārthabhāşya, the Avaśyaka is not mentioned as an independent work but all the six chapters that we find now contained in the Āvassakasü ra are mentioned there as independent works. The Dhavala and the Jayadhavala follow the Tattvārthabhāşya in this matter. The names of the first four chapters of the Avaśyakasūtra, found in the Dhavala and the Jayadhavalā are the same as found in the Tattvārthabhāşya; but the dames of the last two chapters, given in the former two works, are different from those that occur in the latter. 11 This certainly proves that even before the Schisin the first four chapters beginning with
5. Though in the gătha No. 899 the author declares that be is going to explain all the
chapters, yet he explains the 'Sämāyika' chapter only. It is quite possible that while Ac, Jinabhadra started his work he had a mind to comment on the entire Avaśyakasūtra, but
afterwards be changed his mind and commented upon the Sāmāyika adhyayana onlv. 6. gāthās 900-901 7. See foot-note No. 1. 8. Jaina Sahityaka Bhad Itihās, Pt. I published by P.V. Rescarch Institute, Benaras, p.55 9. Ibid, p. 61 10. Tattvārthabhāşya, I. 20 11 Dhavala, Pt. I, p. 96; Jayadhavala, Pt. I, p.p. 24, 97