Ancient Indian Literature, their Period and Historical importance . Part - 9, Jainism BOOKS (GRANTH).

Books of Jain Dharma –

To know the history of India Jain books are equally important. These books are in Prakrirt and Sanskrit.

The most important book of Jain Dharma is - Jain Agam. The composition period of this book is not of 1 period or by 1 person. It was composed by many people in a long time span. The period of its composition is BC 4th century to AD 6^th Century.

Jain Agam - 12 Ang (Part), 12 Upang (Sub - parts), 10 Prakrin, 6 Ched Sutra, Nandi Sutra, Anuyogdwar, and Mul Sutra.  

Acharang Sutta – In 2 parts of this book there is Custom and Rules of Jain Mendicant (Bikshu).

Suyagdang - In it there is refutation of anti theory of other Thoughts, and establishment of thoughts of Jain Dharma.

Thanang – It’s like AngutarraNikaya of Bodh Dharma. Number 1 to 10 is used for discourse (Pravachan). There are things related with number 3. As at one place Buddha says 3 things work secretly – Women, Mantra of Brahmin and Illusory or Pseudo Principles (Mithya Sidhant).

SamamVayang Sutta - In it too number is used for discourse.

Bhagawati Sutta – It’s on Swami Mahavir’s life and works.

Nayadhammam Kaha - Teachings of Mahavir Swami.

Uvasgadsao Sutta - In it comes Worshipers rules, Customs, Prohibitions, Methods are established.

Antgaddasao Sutta and Anutro Vavaidasao Sutta - In it there is description of important Jain Monks who got Nirvana (Heaven, Swarg).

Panha-Vagarnaem Sutta – Jain Yama – Niyama (in combined constitute personal and social aspects of good conduct.).

There are 5 yama and 5 niyama. 5 Yama are – Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aprigraha.

5 Niyama are – Shauch, Santosh, Tapa, Awadhyaya, and Ishwar Pranidhan – Surrender to God).

Vivagsuam Sutta – Karma fal ka Pradarshan. (Duty and its rewards are shown here).

Last Sutta Ditthiya is not in sight.

12 Upang (Sub - parts) are – Upvaya, Rayapsanaj, Jiva- Jivavhigam, Panvana, Surapanati, Jambudivapanati, Chandpanati, Niravali, Kapavadasiyao, Puffao, Pupkachliao, and Vanihdasao.

There are 5 descriptive books of Jain Dharma. They are –

1.       Niryakuti – (Agam - Augment). Small descriptions of Prohibition of Law of Augment.  They are 10 in numbers. These augments are in Prakrirt.

2.       Bhasa – These are Hermeneutic (Bhasya). They are 11 in numbers and written in Prakrirt.

3.       Churna – They are written in Sanskrit and Prakrirt both.

4.       Tika – These are written in Sanskrit.

Some more important books are – Parisisthparvan, Bhadrabahucharitra – This book throws light on First Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta.

KathaKosh, Punayashrow – Kathakosh, Lok Vivhag, Trilok – Vigayapti, Ashwayak Sutra, Bhagawati Sutra, Kalikapurana etc are full of matters related with Indian history.

Famous Interpreter of Jain dharma are – Haribhadra Suri (705 – 77AD), Shilank (862 AD), Nemichand Suri (11AD), Abhayadev Suri (11AD) and Malayagiri (13 AD).