Dravya Shruta: A Brief Overview
Knowledge (Jñāna)
The distinctive attribute of the soul is knowledge—or simply the capacity to know is itself knowledge.
Eight Types of Knowledge
- Kevalajñāna - Omniscience
- Manaḥparyaya Jñāna - Telepathic knowledge
- Avadhi Jñāna - Clairvoyant knowledge
- Vibhaṅga Jñāna (Ku-Avadhi) - Distorted clairvoyance
- Śrutajñāna - Scriptural knowledge
- Kuśrutajñāna - False scriptural knowledge
- Matijñāna - Sensory-based knowledge
- Kumatijñāna - False sensory knowledge
Shrut Jnana
- From avagraha to dharana, the knowledge of other meanings arising from the meanings known through mati jnana is called shrut jnana.
- It is the knowledge that indirectly reveals all substances in multifaceted forms.
- Knowledge free from doubt, misapprehension, etc., is called shrut jnana.
- Shrut jnana arises subsequent to mati jnana.
- For the realization of the soul, mati and shrut jnana are essential causes.
Types of Shrutajñāna: Dravya-Shruta and Bhava-Shruta
Dravya-Shruta and Bhava-Shruta
Dravya-Shruta
Dravya-Shruta refers to the textual corpus comprising:
- The 12 Angas (primary canonical texts)
- The 14 Pūrvas (pre-canonical texts)
- And the 14 Prakīrṇakas (miscellaneous texts)
Bhava-Shruta
Bhava-Shruta is the pure, experiential knowledge that arises through the medium of Dravya-Shruta. It is internal, untainted, and self-realized.
Subtypes of Dravya-Shruta
- Anga-Praviṣṭa (Canonical)
- Includes the 12 Angas, such as Ācārāṅga, Sūtrakṛtāṅga, Sthānāṅga, etc.
- These texts are considered direct revelations received by Gaṇadharas (chief disciples) from the Omkāra sound of the Tīrthaṅkara in the Samavasaraṇa (divine preaching assembly).
- Anga-Bāhya (Non-Canonical)
- Comprises concise texts composed by the disciples and sub-disciples of Gaṇadharas.
- Intended for beings with limited lifespan and intellect, these texts are based on the Angas but are simplified for easier understanding.
Definition of Anga
- That which encompasses or reveals all substances (dravya) and modes (paryāya) across the three times (past, present, future) is called Anga.
- Alternatively, the components of the entire Shruta corpus, including its ethical and doctrinal elements, are termed Anga.
Origin of the 12 Angas
- When the Tīrthaṅkara delivers the Omkāra sound in the Samavasaraṇa, the Gaṇadharas, endowed with exceptional intellect (buddhi) and spiritual powers (ṛddhi), receive and interpret this divine sound.
- Within an Antarmuhūrta (less than 48 minutes), they manifest the 12 Angas as Dravya-Shruta.
Letters (Akṣara) in Shrutajñāna
- Each letter corresponds to a unit of Shrutajñāna.
- Classification of letters:
- Short vowels (Hṛsva) - 1 mātrā
- Long vowels (Dīrgha) - 2 mātrās
- Prolonged vowels (Pluta) - 3 mātrās
- Consonants (Vyañjana) - ½ mātrā
- Breakdown:
- Consonants: 33
- Vowels: 9 (including Hṛsva, Dīrgha, Pluta)
- Special signs (Ayogavāha): 4 (e.g., ṃ, ḥ, etc.)
- Total: 64 letters
Establishment of 64 Letters
अ आ आइ, इ ई, ई3, उ ऊ ऊ3, ऋ ऋ ऋ3, लृ लृ लृ3, ए ए2 ए3, ओ ओर ओ3, औ और औ3,
क ख ग घ ङ च छ ज झ ञ ट ठ ड ढ ण त थ द ध न प फ ब भ म य र ल व श ष स ह x क x प अं. अ:
When these 64 letters are combined in all possible ways (excluding one combination), the total number of syllabic combinations or compound letters is: 18,446,744,073,709,551,615
Pad (Word Unit)
The minimal knowledge that arises from a single letter is called Akshara Shrutajñāna (letter-based scriptural knowledge). When another letter is added to the first, the resulting compound is known as Akshara Samāsa Shrutajñāna (compound-letter scriptural knowledge). By successively adding letters, up to a countable number, the compound remains Akshara Samāsa Shrutajñāna. When these countable letters combine, they form a Pad (word), which is a distinct form of Shrutajñāna. There are three types of Pads:
- Artha Pad - Semantic word
- Pramāṇa Pad - Quantitative word
- Madhyama Pad - Intermediate word
Pad and Letters
When meaning is derived from a single letter, it is called an Artha Pad (semantic word). When meaning is derived from eight letters, it is called a Pramāṇa Pad (Quantitative word). And when meaning is derived from 16, 34, 83, 07, 888 letters, it is called a Madhyama Pad (intermediate word).
By counting one verse of eight letters, the number of verses in a Madhyama Pad becomes 51,08,84,621 + 9/2. By dividing the total number of letters in the entire Dravya Shruta by the Madhyama Pad, we get 112,83,58,005 Pads. These are the total Pads of the twelve Angas (Anga-Praviṣṭa). After that, 8,01,08,175 letters remain. This is the Anga-Bāhya Shruta.
The classification, subject matter, and number of Pads of Anga-Praviṣṭa Shruta, and the classification and subject matter of Anga-Bāhya Shruta, are described in the following table.
Dravya Shruta is divided into two categories:
- Anga-Praviṣṭa
- Anga-Bāhya
The Anga-Praviṣṭa Shruta consists of twelve divisions, collectively known as the Dvādaśāṅgī (Twelve Angas).
Dravya Shrut
Anga-Praviṣṭa
|
Anga-Bāhya Shruta
|
| Twelve Angas |
Fourteen Prakīrṇakas |
| 1. Ācārāṅga |
1. Sāmāyika |
| 2. Sūtrakṛtāṅga |
2. Caturviṁśatistava |
| 3. Sthānāṅga |
3. Vandana |
| 4. Samavāya |
4. Pratikramaṇa |
| 5. Vyākhyāprajñapti |
5. Vainayika |
| 6. Jñātṛdharmakathā |
6. Kṛtikarma |
| 7. Upāsakādhyayana |
7. Daśavaikālika |
| 8. Antakṛt Daśāṅga |
8. Uttarādhyayana |
| 9. Anuttaropapādaka |
9. Kalpavyavahāra |
| 10. Praśnavyākaraṇa |
10. Kalpākalpa |
| 11. Vipāka Sūtra |
11. Mahākalpa |
| 12. Dṛṣṭivāda |
12. Puṇḍarīka |
|
13. Mahāpuṇḍarīka |
|
14. Niṣiddhikā / Nisitikā |
The Twelve Angas – Their Subjects and Word Counts
| No. |
Name |
Subject Description |
Word Count |
| 1 |
Ācārāṅga |
Describes the conduct and discipline of monks. |
18,000 |
| 2 |
Sūtrakṛtāṅga |
Explains humility in knowledge and the distinctions between one's own and others' doctrines. |
36,000 |
| 3 |
Sthānāṅga |
Describes the enumeration and classification of substances, e.g., living beings as one type generally, two types specifically, etc. |
42,000 |
| 4 |
Samavāya |
Describes the six substances (like soul, matter, etc.) in terms of substance, space, time, etc. |
1,64,000 |
| 5 |
Vyākhyāprajñapti |
Contains 60,000 questions asked by Ganadharas to the Tirthankara regarding existence and non-existence of the soul. |
2,28,000 |
| 6 |
Jñātṛdharmakathā |
Narrates the religious stories of Tirthankaras, nature of substances, and answers to Ganadharas’ questions. |
5,56,000 |
| 7 |
Upāsakādhyayana |
Describes the conduct of householders, including the eleven stages (pratimās) of spiritual development. |
11,70,000 |
| 8 |
Antakṛt Daśāṅga |
Describes ten Kevalis who attained liberation during each Tirthankara’s era. |
23,28,000 |
| 9 |
Anuttaropapādaka |
Describes ten great monks per Tirthankara who endured severe hardships and were born in the highest celestial realms. |
92,44,000 |
| 10 |
Praśnavyākaraṇa |
Explains methods to answer questions about past and future auspicious or inauspicious events, and includes four types of narratives: Ākṣepanī, Vikṣepanī, Saṁvedanī, Nirvedanī. |
93,16,00 |
| 11 |
Vipāka Sūtra |
Describes the intensity and duration of karmic results based on substance, space, time, and intention. |
1,840,000 |
| 12 |
Dṛṣṭivāda |
Discusses 363 false views: 180 Kriyāvāda, 84 Akriyāvāda, 67 Ajñānavāda, and 32 Vainayikavāda, and refutes them through five divisions:
1. Parikarma, 2. Sūtra, 3. Prathamānuyoga, 4. Pūrvagata (14 Pūrvas), and 5. Cūlikā. |
1,08,68,56,005 |
| - |
Total Word Count of the Twelve Angas: |
- |
112,83,58,005 |
| |
|
One Hundred Twelve Crore Eighty Three Lakh Fifty Eight Thousand Five |
The Twelfth Anga - Dṛṣṭivāda: Its Five Divisions
The first division is Parikarma, which contains the Karaṇa Sūtras of astronomy.
It has five sub-divisions:
| No. |
Name |
Subject Description |
Word Count |
| 1 |
Chandraprajñapti |
Describes the movement of the moon, its phases, family, increase-decrease, and planetary aspects. |
36,05,000 |
| 2 |
Sūryaprajñapti |
Describes the sun’s radiance, movement, and celestial family. |
5,03,000 |
| 3 |
Jambūdvīpa Prajñapti |
Describes Jambūdvīpa, Mount Meru region, and Kulācalas. |
3,25,000 |
| 4 |
Dvīpasāgara Prajñapti |
Describes the structure of island-oceans, the residences of celestial beings (Jyotiṣīs, Vyantaras, Bhavanavāsīs), and Jain temples located there. |
52,36,000 |
| 5 |
Vyākhyāna Prajñapti |
Describes the measures and classifications of living and non-living substances. |
84,36,000 |
|
Total Word Count of Parikarma: |
1,81,05,000 |
|
|
One crore, eighty-one lakh, five thousand |
Second Division - Sūtra
This section presents the preliminary viewpoints of 363 false doctrines (mithyādarśana) and applies them to the nature of the soul and other substances.
It contains 88,00,000 words.
Third Division - Prathamānuyoga
This section describes the sixty-three illustrious beings (śalākā puruṣas) such as the first soul to receive instruction, the Tīrthaṅkaras, and the universal monarchs (cakravartins).
It contains 5,000 words.
Fourth Division - Pūrvagata (Pre-Canonical Knowledge)
It consists of fourteen subdivisions, known as the Fourteen Pūrvas.
| No. |
Pūrv |
Subject Description |
Vastu Adhikaar |
20 Pāhuḍ in each Adhikaar/24 Anuyog Dwaar |
Total Number of Posts |
| 1 |
Utpāda Pūrv |
Describes the origination, decay, and permanence of substances like soul, etc., from various doctrinal perspectives. |
10 |
200/4800 |
100,00,000 |
| 2 |
Agrāyaṇī Pūrv |
Describes 700 proper and improper doctrines, six substances, seven principles, and nine categories. |
14 |
280/6720 |
96,00,000 |
| 3 |
Vīryānuvāda Pūrv |
Describes the power (vīrya) of the six substances. |
8 |
160/3840 |
70,00,000 |
| 4 |
Asti-Nāsti Pravāda Pūrv |
Describes existence and non-existence of substances like soul, etc., based on substance, space, time, and intention; resolves contradictions using Saptabhaṅgī logic. |
18 |
360/8640 |
60,00,000 |
| 5 |
Jñāna Pravāda Pūrv |
Describes types of knowledge, their nature, number, subject, and results. |
12 |
240/5760 |
99,99,999 |
| 6 |
Satya Pravāda Pūrv |
Describes various forms of speech—truthful and false. |
12 |
240/5760 |
1,00,00,006 |
| 7 |
Ātma Pravāda Pūrv |
Describes the soul’s attributes like agency and enjoyership from both absolute and practical viewpoints. |
16 |
320/7680 |
26,00,00,000 |
| 8 |
Karma Pravāda Pūrv |
Describes the eight karmas (e.g., knowledge-obscuring), their binding, duration, intensity, and activity. |
20 |
400/9600 |
1,80,00,000 |
| 9 |
Pratyākhyāna Pūrv |
Describes various methods of renouncing sin. |
30 |
600/14400 |
84,00,000 |
| 10 |
Vidyānuvāda Pūrv |
Describes 700 minor and 500 major sciences, their methods, mantras, results, and the eightfold predictive knowledge (Nimitta Jñāna). |
15 |
300/7200 |
1,10,00,000 |
| 11 |
Kalyāṇavāda Pūrv |
Describes auspicious events like conception of Tīrthaṅkaras and Cakravartins, their causes (e.g., sixteen contemplations), austerities, and celestial movements. |
10 |
200/4800 |
26,00,00,000 |
| 12 |
Prāṇavāda Pūrv |
Describes eight types of healing sciences, mantras to cure ailments and poisons, and techniques like Svarodaya. |
10 |
200/4800 |
13,00,00,000 |
| 13 |
Kriyāviśāla Pūrv |
Describes music, prosody, rhetoric, sixty-four arts, eighty-four rituals, 108 practices including right faith, 25 daily and occasional rituals. |
10 |
200/4800 |
9,00,00,000 |
| 14 |
Triloka Pūrv |
Describes the structure of the three worlds, geometry, algebra, nature of liberation, and the practices leading to it. |
10 |
200/4800 |
12,50,00,000 |
|
Total |
|
195 |
3900/93600 |
95,50,00,005 |
| |
|
|
|
Ninety-five crore, fifty lakh, five |
Fifth Division - Chūlikā It has five subdivisions.
| No. |
Name |
Subject Description |
Word Count |
| 1 |
Jalagata Chūlikā |
Describes rituals and mantras for controlling water, walking on water, entering fire, extinguishing fire, and consuming fire. |
2,09,89,200 |
| 2 |
Sthalagata Chūlikā |
Describes rituals and mantras for entering Mount Meru or the earth, rapid movement, and related austerities. |
2,09,89,200 |
| 3 |
Māyāgata Chūlikā |
Describes rituals and mantras for illusionary magic and mystical transformations. |
2,09,89,200 |
| 4 |
Rūpagata Chūlikā |
Describes rituals and mantras for assuming forms like lion, elephant, horse, bull, deer, etc., and includes signs of magical wood coatings and paintings. |
2,09,89,200 |
| 5 |
Ākāśagata Chūlikā |
Describes rituals and mantras for flying or traveling through the sky. |
2,09,89,200 |
| Total Word Count of Chūlikā - 10 crore, 49 lakh, 46 thousand |
10,49,46,000 |
Total Word Count of Each Division of the Twelfth Anga – Dṛṣṭivāda
| No. |
Division |
Word Count |
| 1 |
Parikarma |
1,81,05,000 |
| 2 |
Sūtra |
88,00,000 |
| 3 |
Prathamānuyoga |
5,000 |
| 4 |
Pūrvagata (14 Pūrvas) |
95,50,00,005 |
| 5 |
Chūlikā |
10,49,46,000 |
| Total Word Count |
108,68,56,005 |
| One hundred eight crore, sixty-eight lakh, fifty-six thousand and five |
Angabahya Sutras
| No. |
Prakīrṇaka |
Subject Description |
| 1 |
Sāmāyika |
Name, establishment, substance, space, time, contemplation, and six additional aspects. |
| 2 |
Caturviṁśatistava |
Glory of the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras. |
| 3 |
Vandana |
Praise and worship of a Tīrthaṅkara through devotional verses. |
| 4 |
Pratikramaṇa |
Seven types of repentance: daily, nightly, periodic, fortnightly, seasonal, annual, and ultimate. |
| 5 |
Vainayika |
- 1. Humility through social conduct (Lokānuvṛtti Vinaya)
- 2. Humility due to purpose (Arthanimittaka Vinaya)
- 3. Humility through desire control (Kāmatantra Vinaya)
- 4. Humility through worldly awareness (Bhava Vinaya)
- 5. Humility toward liberation (Mokṣa Vinaya)
|
| 6 |
Kṛtikarma |
Rituals of worship toward Arihants and other enlightened beings. |
| 7 |
Daśavaikālika |
Monastic conduct and purity of food intake. |
| 8 |
Uttarādhyayana |
Guidelines for enduring hardships and afflictions (Parīṣaha and Upasarga). |
| 9 |
Kalpavyavahāra |
Atonement for improper conduct and consumption by monks. |
| 10 |
Kalpākalpa |
Description of suitable and unsuitable substances, space, time, and intentions for monks. |
| 11 |
Mahākalpa |
Practices of Jinkalpi monks including Pratimāyoga, Trikālayoga, and activities of Sthavirakalpi monks. |
| 12 |
Puṇḍarīka |
Causes for birth among four types of celestial beings. |
| 13 |
Mahāpuṇḍarīka |
Causes for birth among highly radiant celestial beings like Indra. |
| 14 |
Niṣiddhikā / Nisitikā |
Prescriptions for atonement based on various forms of purity. |