A History of the Canonical Literature of the Jainas c7.2

c7.2

In ancient days in India, it was customary to transmit learning from generation to generation orally, and that this state of affairs continues down to the present times at least in the case of the olden type of *pāṭhaśālās*¹ which teach Jainism, Saṃskṛta or the like. This will show that it is not the want of knowledge of the art of writing to which this state of affairs can be ascribed. For, according to the *Jaina* tradition Lord Ṛṣabha who flourished in the 3rd *ara* (spoke) of the present *avasarpiṇī* period, taught this art of writing-18 *lipi*s² to his daughter Brāhmī with his right hand.³ The *Vaidika* Hindus, on the other hand, ascribe it to Brahman, the Creator of the Universe. Leaving aside these prehistoric items of a very remote age, and turning to a period only 4000 years preceding the present century, we can give ample proofs of the fact that India knew the art of writing in the remote past. Various scripts such as Brāhmī, Mohenjo Dero⁴ etc., bear full testimony to this. It however seems true that the art of printing was unknown in ancient days in India.