Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c5.s12.1

c5.s12.1

It should be borne in mind that the Jain Canons collectively do not belong to one particular period. In fact, each part of the Canon should be judged on its own merit after going through its contents carefully. We notice that certain Jain texts are ascribed to later authors by traditions themselves. For instance, the *Pannavanā*, is ascribed to Ajja Sāma (Āry Śyāma) who is said to have lived 376 or 386 years after Mahāvīra's death. The *Dasāśrutaskandha*, the *Piṇḍa Nijjutti* and the *Ogha Nijjutti* are ascribed to Bhadrabāhu (second century after Mahāvīra's death), the *Dasaveyāliya* to Sejjambhava (Śayyambhava), who is counted as the fourth head of the Church after Mahāvīra, and the *Nandi* to Devardhigani, the president of the Council of Valabhī in the tenth century after the death of Mahāvīra (i.e. the beginning of the 6th century A D.)