Here is Question No. 55 a part of our series on UPSC Prelims 2022.
Q55. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
- Nettipakarana
- Parishishtaparvan
- Avadanashataka
- Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer – b
- Option 1 is incorrect: The Nettipakarana 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) as approved by the Buddha and it was recited at the First Buddhist Council.
- Option 2 is correct: The Parishishtaparvan also known as the Sthaviravalicharitra is a 12th-century Sanskrit maha kavya by Hemachandra that details the histories of the earliest Jain teachers.
- Option 3 is incorrect: The Avadānaśataka (A Hundred Glorious Deeds) are Jataka Stories (Buddhist tales). The emergencies of the Avadana may have been compiled between the second Century A.D to the 11th Century A.D. The earlier products of Avadana texts like Avadana-stake, Divyavadana etc., which are of Hinayanic character and the later Avadanas like Suvarnavarnavadana, Kalpadrumavadanamala, Vratavadanamala are earmarked as Mahayanic in character. Avadanas are noncanonical Buddhist texts about previous lives and karma, for example, Divyavadana(4th century) and Avadanashataka (2nd century) written in Sanskrit. The stories are thematically o ruth of the doctrine of karma (action) and the power of religious dĀna (giving), faith, and devotion.
- Option 4 is correct: 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 Adi Purana written by “Acharya” Jinasena. The second part is Uttarapurana which is the section composed by Gunabhadra.
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