Exploring the Depth: Significance of Ancient Jaina Literature

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PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION PAPERS

Throw light on the significance of Ancient Jaina Literature.  (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 1, Q.3)

  • The literature of the Jain religion is referred to as Jain literature. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition initially passed down orally. The canonical Jain Agamas are written in Ardhamagadhi, a Prakrit (Middle-Indo-Aryan) language, and contain the oldest surviving material. Later, Jain monks wrote various commentaries on these canonical texts. Later works were written in other languages, such as Sanskrit and Maharashtri Prakrit.
  • The canons of the Digambara and Svetambara orders predominate in Jain literature.
  • Jain monks wrote in a variety of languages in addition to Prakrit and Ardha Magadhi, depending on the era, region, and patrons who sponsored them. During the Sangam Age in South India, they wrote in Tamil. In addition to Sanskrit, Shauraseni, Gujarati, and Marathi, they wrote in Sanskrit, Shauraseni, Gujarati, and Marathi. Canonical or religious books, known as Jain Agamas or Agam, and non-canonical literary works can be broadly separated into two categories: Niryuktis and Samhitas.

Jain Agamas

  • They are sacred books supposed to contain the Jain Tirthankaras’ teachings. They are claimed to have been compiled by the Gandharas, Mahavira’s direct disciples. For Svetambaras, these scriptures are crucial.
  • The present Angas are claimed to have been re-compiled in the mid-5th century AD in Vallabhi (Gujarat) by a council of Svetambaras sect monks. The Digamabara sect thinks that the original teachings were lost a long time ago and did not recognise the authority of the Agamas written in Valabhi. Agamas is a collection of 46 texts. There are twelve Angas, twelve Upangas, ten Prakirnakas, four Mulasutras, six Chedasutras, and two Chulika Sutras. They were written in the Prakrit language, Ardha-Magadhi.

The Angas instil regard for all forms of life, rigorous vegetarianism, asceticism, compassion, and nonviolence in their followers. There are 12 Angas in total.

  • Acharanga Sutra: Oldest agama.
  • Sutrakritanga: describes the code of conduct for Jain monks, metaphysics etc
  • Sthananga Sutra.
  • Samavayanga Sutra: discussion on the essence of Jainism, astronomy, mathematics, etc.
  • Vyakhya Prajnapti or Bhagavati Sūtra:
  • Jnat Dharma Katha.
  • Upasakadasa
  • Antardasha
  • Anuttaraupapatikadasah.
  • Prasnavyakaranani: Description of sins.
  • Vipakasruta: stories and illustrations.
  • Desativada: contém 14 Purvas.

The Karmaprabhrita (debate on Karma) or Shatkhandagama and the Kashayaprabhrita were both given canonical status by the Digambaras.

Significance of Jain Literature

The development of numerous Indian languages is said to have been aided by Jain literature. Apart from Hindi, Jaina literary works are available in Sanskrit, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Rajasthani, and Marwari.

The Jaina literary works gave birth to Kannada literature.

  • Adi Pampa’s Vikramarjuna-Vijaya is known as the Pampa-Bharata.
  • Subhas Chandra wrote the Pandava Purana.
  • Jinasena wrote the Harivamsapurana.

Banarasidasa’s Ardhakathanaka is the earliest autobiography in Braj Bhasha, considered the forerunner to Hindi. Many Jaina literary works, such as Kahas and grammar, were composed in Apabhramsa. Apabhramsa is thought to be the forerunner of numerous Gangetic plains Indian languages. Shauraseni contains some of the earliest Jaina literature, contributing to the formation of languages such as Gujarati and Marwari.

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