Uvangsuttani Part 05

This document is Volume 5, Part 2 of the Uvanga Suttani (also transliterated as Upanga Suttani), a significant collection of Jain scriptures. Published by Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan, it was released in Vikram Samvat 2045 (1989 AD) as part of the "Niggantham Pavayanam" series, dedicated to "Pragyaprav Year" and the "Maryada Mahotsava." The work was undertaken under the guidance of Vacana Pramukha Acharya Tulsi and edited by Yuvacharya Mahapragna.

This particular volume, the second part of the fourth volume of the Angasuttani series (Uvangasuttani Part 05, [Section 2]), contains nine Upanga texts:

1. Pannavanna (Praptavarna)
2. Jambuddivapannatti (Jambudvipa Prajnapti)
3. Candrapannatti (Chandraprajnapati)
4. Surapannatti (Surya Prajnapati)
5. Nirayavaliyao (Niraya Avalika)
6. Kappavadimsiyao (Kalpa Vadimsika)
7. Pusphiyayo (Pushpika)
8. Pushpichuliyao (Pushpachulika)
9. Vanhidasao (Vrushnidasao)

Key aspects highlighted in the preliminary pages:

• Extensive Compilation: This volume represents a significant undertaking, with the original text critically edited and presented with variant readings. It forms part of a larger project to publish all 32 Jain Agamas.
• Scholarly Effort: The publication involved the dedicated work of Acharya Tulsi as the patron and Yuvacharya Mahapragna as the chief editor. Numerous monks and nuns contributed to the text research, lexicography, and proofreading.
• Manuscript Basis: The critical editing relied on the consultation of multiple handwritten manuscripts and existing commentaries, reflecting a deep commitment to textual accuracy.
• Focus on Content: The introductory sections provide context about the Agamas themselves, their classification within Jain canon, the historical period of their composition, and the significance of the specific texts included in this volume.
• Detailed Cataloging: The publisher's notes detail the planned series of Agama publications, including different types of scholarly editions (original text with variations, Sanskrit translation, critical studies, etc.).
• Dedication: The work is dedicated to significant Jain Acharyas, acknowledging their contributions to the preservation and dissemination of Jain scriptures.

Summary of the included texts' general nature based on the editorial and introductory remarks:

The included texts are primarily Upangas, which are considered secondary scriptures in Jainism, elaborating on or supplementing the Angas. These specific Upangas generally deal with:

• Cosmology and Geography: Texts like Jambuddivapannatti, Candrapannatti, and Surapannatti are known for their detailed descriptions of the Jain universe, including continents (like Jambudvipa), celestial bodies (moon and sun), astronomical cycles, and the geography of different realms.
• Doctrine and Philosophy: Pannavanna is highlighted as a key text that extensively expounds on the fundamental Jain principles of soul (jiva) and non-soul (ajiva), their classifications, attributes, and interactions, often through question-and-answer formats. It delves into concepts like karma, life cycles, and the nature of existence.
• Narratives and Accounts: Texts like Nirayavaliyao (and its related collection, Kappavadimsiyao, Pushphiyayo, Pushpichuliyao, Vanhidasao) likely contain accounts of rebirths, karmic consequences, and the experiences of beings in different realms, particularly hellish states (Niraya), which explains the inclusion of "Nirayavaliyao" in the title.

In essence, this volume is a foundational text for understanding Jain cosmology, philosophy, and the intricate details of the Jain worldview, presented through critical scholarship and extensive textual analysis. The publication itself is a testament to the ongoing efforts within Jainism to preserve and make accessible its vast scriptural heritage.