Jain Texts - Languages of Agamas and Literature

Languages of Agamas and Literature

Jainism puts great value on learning. Jains have been prolific authors and avid readers for centuries. India's oldest manuscript libraries have been preserved in Jaisalmer and Patan by Jain scholars. According to the 2001 census, the Jains are the most literate community in India.

The Jain literature includes both religious texts and books on generally secular topics such as sciences, history, and grammar. The Jains have used several languages at different times and in different regions of India.

• Prakrit

Prakrit literature includes the Agamas, Agama-tulya texts, and Siddhanta texts. The dialect used to compose many of these texts is referred to as Jain Prakrit. Composition in Prakrits ceased around 10th cent AD.

• Sanskrit

Writing in Sanskrit became common after about the 1st century CE beginning with the Tattvartha Sutra of Umaswati. Jain Sanskrit literature includes Puranas, Koshas, śrāvakācāras such as the Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, mathematical works, and nighantus.

• Apabhraṃśa

Produced from about 10th to 15th cent CE, these texts include Kahas, rasas, and grammars. Most known Apabhraṃśa texts are of Jain origin.

• Tamil

Some of the early Tamil classics such as Valayapathi, Silappatikaram and Civaka Cintamani are Jain or Jain-affiliated works.

• Hindi-Urdu

In the past 8-9 centuries numerous Jain texts were written in Hindi-Urdu, including Ardha-kathanaka, Chhah-dhala, and Moksh Marg Prakashak.

• Kannada

The earliest texts in Kannada, such as Shivakotiacharya's Vaddaradhane, are works by Jains.

• Gujarati language

Śālibhadrasūri's Bhārateśvarabāhubali (1085), the first Gujarati book, was by a Jain author.