Some Jaina Canonical Sutras c12.2

c12.2

The text of *Nāyādhammakahāo* (Skt. *Jñātādharmakathā*) which is also called *Nāyasūya* is the sixth anga of the Śvetāmbara Jain canon. It comes under narrative literature of the Jainas. It is very useful from etymological and grammatical standpoint. Ardha-Māgadhī *Naya* is the same as Sanskrit *Jñāta*. The title may be explained as ‘Stories for the dhamma of *Nāya*’ (*Jñātr*), i.e. Mahāvīra, who is also called Jñātṛputra, *Nāya* or Nātaputta. The text is divided into two *sūyakkhandhas* called *Nāya* and *Dhammakahā*. The former has nineteen *ajjhayanas* and the latter, ten *vaggas*. It contains didactic and religious narratives. The stories found here explain the teachings of Mahāvīra. The text also contains an exposition of elements.