A History of the Canonical Literature of the Jainas c8.31

c8.31

It may not be amiss if we were to take a note of what the *Digambaras* say regarding the gradual loss of the 14 *Puvvas*. There is no unanimity of opinion in this connection; for, different versions are given in different works. Śubhacandra’s *Aṅgapaṇṇatti*, Brahma-Hemacandra’s *Suyakkhandha*, Indranandi’s *Śrutāvatāra*, Jinasena’s *Adipurāṇa*, *Uttarapurāṇa*, *Harivaṃśapurāṇa* and some of the *Digambara Paṭṭāvalīs* in Prākṛta may be cited as instances. This is not the place where I can try to examine each of them separately and come to any definite conclusion by attempting reconciliations where possible. I shall therefore remain contented by giving only one version in this connection—the version noted in *Jainasatyaprakāśa* (I, 7, pp. 213-214). Therein it is said: In *Vīra Saṃvat* 62, Jambūsvāmin attained liberation. He was the last *kevalin*. Viṣṇukumāra, Nandimitra, Aparājita, Govardhana and Bhadrabāhusvāmin I were conversant with 14 *Puvvas*. This brings us down to a period upto *Vīra Saṃvat* 162. Then came the era when we had persons who knew only 10 *Puvvas*. Their names are: Viśākha, Proṣṭhila, Kṣatriya, Jaya, Nāgasena, Siddhārtha, Dhṛtisena, Vijaya, Buddhilla, Deva (Gaṅgadeva) and Dharmasena. This covers a period upto *Vīra Saṃvat* 345. In *Śrutāvatāra* it is said that in the time of Nāgahastin, some one knew at least five *Puvvas*. Ācārya Dharasena is said to be conversant with two *Puvvas*. As a passing reference, I may add that amongst persons who knew only 11 *Aṅgas* and who were thus not conversant with any one of the *Puvvas*, are mentioned Nakṣatra, Jayapāla, Pāṇḍu, Dhruvasena and Kaṃsa. The last died in or about *Vīra Saṃvat* 565. Then we come across the names of persons who knew *Āyāra*, the 1st *Aṅga* only. They are: Subhadra, Yaśobhadra, Bhadrabāhu II and Lohārya. This brings us down to *Vīra Saṃvat* 683. The end of this year marked the extinction of the *Jaina Āgamas* in their entirety. This view, strange as it is, is advocated by some of the *Digambaras*, and it has led some of the *Śvetāmbaras* to question the very authority of the *Digambara* extant works.