Purvas
Encyclopedia
The Fourteen Purvas, translated as ancient or prior knowledge, are a large body of Jain scriptures that was preached by all Tirthankaras (omniscient teachers) of Jainism
encompassing the entire gamut of knowledge available in this universe. The persons having the knowledge of purvas were given an exalted status of srutakevali or “scripturally omniscient persons”. Both the Jain traditions, Svetambara
and Digambara
hold that all the fourteen purvas have been lost. According to tradition, the Purvas were part of canonical literature
and deposited in the third section of Drstivada
(the twelfth and last canon). Knowledge of Purvas became fairly vulnerable after Lord Mahavira
s nirvana
(liberation) on account of effects of famine, such that, eventually only one person – Bhadrabahu Svami
had a command over it. In accordance with the prophecy of Mahavira, the knowledge of Purvas died within 1,000 years of his nirvana and eventually, the whole of Drstivada
disappeared as well.(Bhagvati Sutra 20.8) However, a detailed table of contents of the Drstivada and the Purvas has survived in the fourth Anga, Samavāyānga
and Nandīsūtra. Furthermore, certain portions of Drstivada and Purvas is said to have survived in Satkhandāgama
and Kasāyaprabhrta, especially the doctrine of Karma.
The contents of the Purvas was so vast, that the tradition holds that, the first one is written by the volume of the ink that is equivalent to the size of one elephant. Second one is two times larger, and third one is two times larger than second one and so on. It was said that, all efforts to describe the knowledge of Purva in words were in vain. It provided detailed information about six kinds of reals or substances, all kinds of living creatures, the things which were to exist for eternal time, those which were to come into existence for a transient time and their time of extinction, five kinds of knowledge, truth, soul, karma, mantra, benefits of austerities, the lifestyle of ascetics and householders, birth, death and a detailed description of the whole universe. It also contained various knowledge on attainment of exceptional abilities including attainment of various magical powers.
. The following persons had the knowledge of Purvas after Lord Mahavira
:
These three persons also attained Kevala Jnana
or enlightenment and were subsequently liberated. After Jambu Svami, the following Heads of the Jaina Order who were his successors had knowledge of the entire 14 Purvas:
is of the opinion that there is an element of truth in the existence of Purvas or ancient knowledge; however, he held a view that Drstivada contained an abstract of the Purvas, rather than the entire text of the Purvas itself. According to him, it is no coincidence that the knowledge of Purvas started fading away simultaneously with the redaction of the new canon. He is of the opinion that the Drstivada containing a disputation of the views of heretical traditions may no longer have served a purpose, once the rival traditions became extinct.
On the other hand, Acarya Hemacandra's
Parishishtaparva, also known as Sthaviravali (stories on the lives of elders or Jain patriarchs), contains detailed information as to how the knowledge of the Purvas was lost. Bhadrabahu Svami was the last person to have the knowledge of the entire 14 Purvas. He refused to teach the last four Purvas to his chief disciple Sthulibhadra, who had used his knowledge of the Purvas to display magical powers. Bhadrabahu, foreseeing the loss of the Purvas and a decline of morality and conduct, ultimately agreed to teach Sthulabhadra the rest of the Purvas, on the condition that he should not hand down the last four Purvas to anybody else. Hence, Sthulabhadra, in turn, taught his disciples Mahagiri and Suhastin only ten Purvas, for he was forbidden to teach the last four Purvas to anybody. Gradually, with the growth of schisms and the inability of monks to commit the scriptures to memory, the knowledge of the Purvas and of the Dristivada became extinct.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
encompassing the entire gamut of knowledge available in this universe. The persons having the knowledge of purvas were given an exalted status of srutakevali or “scripturally omniscient persons”. Both the Jain traditions, Svetambara
Svetambara
The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked...
and Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
hold that all the fourteen purvas have been lost. According to tradition, the Purvas were part of canonical literature
Jain Agamas
Agamas are canonical texts of Jainism based on Mahavira’s teachings. Mahavira’s preaching were orally compiled by his disciples into various Sutras which were collectively called Jain canonical or Agamic literature. Traditionally these sutras were orally passed on from teachers to the disciples...
and deposited in the third section of Drstivada
Drstivada
Drstivāda is the last of the 12 Jain āgamas as per Śvetámbara tradition said to be promulgated by Māhavīra himself and composed by Ganadhara Sudharmasvami. Drstivāda translated as “Disputation about views” was said to contain entire knowledge of 14 Purvas or prior knowledge that is now considered...
(the twelfth and last canon). Knowledge of Purvas became fairly vulnerable after Lord Mahavira
Mahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
s nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
(liberation) on account of effects of famine, such that, eventually only one person – Bhadrabahu Svami
Acharya Bhadrabahu
Acharya Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk. He is more famously known as a spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya and author of several texts related to Jainism, including some of the most important works, Upsargahara Stotra and Kalpasutra....
had a command over it. In accordance with the prophecy of Mahavira, the knowledge of Purvas died within 1,000 years of his nirvana and eventually, the whole of Drstivada
Drstivada
Drstivāda is the last of the 12 Jain āgamas as per Śvetámbara tradition said to be promulgated by Māhavīra himself and composed by Ganadhara Sudharmasvami. Drstivāda translated as “Disputation about views” was said to contain entire knowledge of 14 Purvas or prior knowledge that is now considered...
disappeared as well.(Bhagvati Sutra 20.8) However, a detailed table of contents of the Drstivada and the Purvas has survived in the fourth Anga, Samavāyānga
Samavayanga Sutra
The Samavayanga Sutra is the 4th amongst the 12 Angas of the Jaina canon. The sutra is believed to have been composed by Gandhara Sudharma Svami. This ancient manuscript is the holy book of the Svetambara sect. This text contains the essence of Jain religion, defined and catalogued systematically....
and Nandīsūtra. Furthermore, certain portions of Drstivada and Purvas is said to have survived in Satkhandāgama
Satkhandagama
Satkhandāgama , literally the "Scripture in Six Parts", is the foremost and oldest Digambara Jain sacred text. According to Digambara tradition, the original canonical scriptures of the Jains were totally lost within a few centuries of Nirvana of Lord Mahavira...
and Kasāyaprabhrta, especially the doctrine of Karma.
Subject matter of Purvas
Following were the fourteen Purvas containing various descriptions and details :- Utpaad Pūrva – Living (Jiv), non-living (Ajiv), and its modes (Paryäya);
- Agrayaniya Purva – Nine realities (NavtattvaTattva (Jainism)Jain metaphysics is based on seven truths or fundamental principles also known as tattva or navatattva, which are an attempt to explain the nature and solution to the human predicament. The first two are the two ontological categories of the soul jīva and the non-soul ajīva, namely the axiom that...
), six substances (Shad-dravyaDravya (Jainism)According to Jain cosmology, the universe is made up of six dravya : sentient beings or souls , non-sentient substance or matter , principle of motion , the principle of rest , space and time . The latter five are united as the ajiva...
), etc.; - Viryapravada Purva – Relating to energy of soul, non-living, etc.;
- Asti Nasti Pravada Purva – Multiplicity of views (AnekāntvādAnekantavada' is one of the most important and fundamental doctrines of Jainism. It refers to the principles of pluralism and multiplicity of viewpoints, the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth.Jains...
), Saptabhangi, etc.; - Jnana Prāvada Pūrva – Five types of knowledge and three types of ignorance, etc.;
- Satya Pravada Purva – Relating to truth, restraint, silence (Maun), speech, etc.;
- Atma pavada Purva – Analysis of soul from different view points (naya);
- Karma Pravada Pūrva – Theory of karma, its bondage, influx, its nature, fruition, shedding;
- Pratyakhyana Purva – Giving up (Pachchhakhän), restraint, vows, detachment, etc;
- Vidyā Pravāda Purva – Expertise (vidyä), exceptional abilities, practice,;
- Kalyana Pravada Purva – Spiritual alertness (Apramäd) and laziness (Pramäd);
- Prana Pravada Purva – Ten types of life substances or vitalities (Prän), life span, etc.;
- Kriyā Visala Purva – Skills, 64 arts of women, 84 arts of men, etc.;
- Lokbindus ā Purva – Three parts of universe including heavens and hells, mathematics, etc.
The contents of the Purvas was so vast, that the tradition holds that, the first one is written by the volume of the ink that is equivalent to the size of one elephant. Second one is two times larger, and third one is two times larger than second one and so on. It was said that, all efforts to describe the knowledge of Purva in words were in vain. It provided detailed information about six kinds of reals or substances, all kinds of living creatures, the things which were to exist for eternal time, those which were to come into existence for a transient time and their time of extinction, five kinds of knowledge, truth, soul, karma, mantra, benefits of austerities, the lifestyle of ascetics and householders, birth, death and a detailed description of the whole universe. It also contained various knowledge on attainment of exceptional abilities including attainment of various magical powers.
The Srutakevalis
The persons having the knowledge of purvas were known as srutakevali or "scripturally omniscient persons". They were one step away from attaining enlightened or Kevala JnanaKevala Jnana
In Jainism, ' or ' , "Perfect or Absolute Knowledge", is the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. A person who has attained is called a Kevalin, which is synonymous with Jina "victor" and Arihant "the worthy one"...
. The following persons had the knowledge of Purvas after Lord Mahavira
Mahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
:
- Ganadhara Gautama SvamiGautam SwamiThe Ganadhara Gautam Swami was the chief disciple of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara. His real name was Indrabhuti Gautam, but he is after referred to as Gautama because that was his gotra. He was born in the Gochchar village in the Magadh kingdom to a Brahmin couple Vasubhuti and Prithvi...
- Ganadhara Sudharma SvamiGanadhar Sudharma SwamiSudharmaswami was the fifth Ganadhar of Lord Mahavir. All the current Jain acharya's and monks follow his rule.Ganadhar means a group leader. Lord Mahavir had many pupils...
- Jambu Svami
These three persons also attained Kevala Jnana
Kevala Jnana
In Jainism, ' or ' , "Perfect or Absolute Knowledge", is the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. A person who has attained is called a Kevalin, which is synonymous with Jina "victor" and Arihant "the worthy one"...
or enlightenment and were subsequently liberated. After Jambu Svami, the following Heads of the Jaina Order who were his successors had knowledge of the entire 14 Purvas:
- Prabhava
- Sayyambhava
- Yashobhadra
- Sambhutavijaya
- BhadrabahuAcharya BhadrabahuAcharya Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk. He is more famously known as a spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya and author of several texts related to Jainism, including some of the most important works, Upsargahara Stotra and Kalpasutra....
- Sthulibhadra – Although he is said to have had knowledge of all 14 purvas, the meaning of the last four purvas was not revealed to him.
Loss of the Purvas
The Indologist Hermann JacobiHermann Jacobi
Hermann Georg Jacobi was an eminent German Indologist.-Education:Jacobi was born in Köln on 11 February 1850...
is of the opinion that there is an element of truth in the existence of Purvas or ancient knowledge; however, he held a view that Drstivada contained an abstract of the Purvas, rather than the entire text of the Purvas itself. According to him, it is no coincidence that the knowledge of Purvas started fading away simultaneously with the redaction of the new canon. He is of the opinion that the Drstivada containing a disputation of the views of heretical traditions may no longer have served a purpose, once the rival traditions became extinct.
On the other hand, Acarya Hemacandra's
Acharya Hemachandra
Acharya Hemachandra was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who wrote on grammar, philosophy, prosody, and contemporary history. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gained the title Kalikāl Sarvagya "all-knowing of the Kali Yuga"....
Parishishtaparva, also known as Sthaviravali (stories on the lives of elders or Jain patriarchs), contains detailed information as to how the knowledge of the Purvas was lost. Bhadrabahu Svami was the last person to have the knowledge of the entire 14 Purvas. He refused to teach the last four Purvas to his chief disciple Sthulibhadra, who had used his knowledge of the Purvas to display magical powers. Bhadrabahu, foreseeing the loss of the Purvas and a decline of morality and conduct, ultimately agreed to teach Sthulabhadra the rest of the Purvas, on the condition that he should not hand down the last four Purvas to anybody else. Hence, Sthulabhadra, in turn, taught his disciples Mahagiri and Suhastin only ten Purvas, for he was forbidden to teach the last four Purvas to anybody. Gradually, with the growth of schisms and the inability of monks to commit the scriptures to memory, the knowledge of the Purvas and of the Dristivada became extinct.