Q. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts?

• 1, 2 and 3
• 2 and 4 only
• 1, 3 and 4
• 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only

Notes:

• The Nettipakarana:
  • It is a Buddhist scripture. Nettipakarana is a guide to help those who already understand the teaching present it to others. The Netti methods were taught by the Buddha’s disciple Kaccana (also Katyayana or Kaccayana).
  • Nettipakarana is a mythological Buddhist scripture sometimes included in the Khuddaka Nikaya of Theravada Buddhism.
  • It is divided into two divisions:
    • Sangahavara
    • Vibhagavara
• Avadana texts:
  • The emergences of the Avadana may have been compiled between second Century A.D to the 11th Century A.D. The earlier product of Avadana texts like Avadana-sataka, Divyavadana etc., which are of Hinayanic character and the later Avadanas like Suvarnavarnavadana, Kalpadrumavadanamala, Vratavadanamala are earmarked as Mahayanic in character. Avadanas are non canonical Buddhist texts about previous lives and karma, example Divyavadana (4th century) and Avadanashataka (2nd century) written in sanskrit. It deal with stories and tales related to Buddha.
• The Parishishtaparvan:
  • Also known as the Sthaviravalicharitra, is a 12th-century Sanskrit mahakavya by Hemachandra which details the histories of the earliest Jain teachers.
• Mahapurana or Trishashthilkshana:
  • Mahapurana is a major Jain text composed largely by “Acharya” Jinasena during the rule of Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha and completed by his pupil Gunabhadra in the 9th century CE.
    • Mahapurana consists of two parts. The first part is Ādi purā a written by “Acharya” Jinasena. The second part is Uttarapurana which is the section composed by Gunabhadra.