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जैन आगमो में गणित

By डॉ. अनुपम जैन

Vol. 48 · No. 09September - 2000pp. 14–21Hindi

Summary

Jain mathematics holds a distinguished position in both traditions of Jainism. In the Digambara tradition, texts on karananuyoga and dravyanuyoga are of interest to mathematicians, while the Shvetambara tradition includes ganitanuyoga and karananuyoga under charan-karananuyoga. Pandit Todarmal's statement confirms that without properly understanding mathematics and mathematical processes, one cannot correctly comprehend the subject matter of the original texts and Agamas. Among the seventy-two arts mentioned in Jain scriptures, writing holds the first place and mathematics the second, yet the Agamas often describe these arts as "lekhādik, ganitapradhān," meaning writing etc., but mathematics is primary. The entire Jain literature is divided into four anuyogas. In the Digambara tradition, these are: prathamānuyoga (biographies of Tirthankaras and great souls), karanānuyoga (cosmology, karma theory, and mathematical literature), charanānuyoga (conduct of monks and householders), and dravyānuyoga (philosophical literature on soul and supreme soul). In the Shvetambara tradition, the divisions are: dharmakathānuyoga (lives of Tirthankaras and religious stories), charan-karanānuyoga (conduct and mathematical literature), ganitānuyoga (astronomical literature), and dravyānuyoga (logic, karma, and philosophy). This classification shows the special place of mathematics in both traditions. Jain Acharyas Shridhar (799 CE) and Mahavira (850 CE) wrote extensively on the necessity and utility of mathematics. According to Mahavira, everything in the moving and non-moving world exists with mathematics. The study of the history of mathematics shows that writing on the history of mathematics began in the late 18th century, but no mathematician's attention was drawn to the mathematical knowledge contained in Jain religious texts. The publication of Acharya Shridhar's Trishatika (Pat

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Conclusion

The document establishes that mathematics holds a uniquely privileged position within both Digambara and Shvetambara Jain traditions, serving not merely as a tool for calendrical calculations but as an essential framework for understanding complex philosophical doctrines, particularly karma theory and cosmology. The analysis of the Sthananga Sutra's tenfold classification of mathematics reveals a sophisticated system encompassing arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and set theory, with later commentators like B.B. Datta and L.C. Jain refining earlier interpretations. The recovery and publication of key texts like Mahavira's Ganitasara Sangraha in the early 20th century brought global recognition to the Jaina School of Mathematics, though much material remains unpublished. This rich mathematical heritage, spanning from canonical Agamas to medieval commentaries, demonstrates that Jain thinkers developed highly original concepts including infinite sets and one-to-one correspondence, areas that merit further scholarly attention to fully appreciate their contributions to the history of mathematics.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “जैन धर्म की दोनों परंपराओं में गणित को अतिविशिष्ट स्थान दिया गया”
  • “महावीर के अनुसार तो चराचर जगत में जो कुछ भी है वह गणित के बिना नहीं”
  • “वस्तुतः जैन भगम मैं निहित गणितीय सामग्री को स्थूल रूप से दो भागों મેં विभाजित किया जा सकता है-- 1. लौकिक गणित, 2. लोकोत्तर गणित”

Works cited in this article

  1. गणितसार संग्रह
  2. B.M. (Leipzing), 1908, pp 106-110.
  3. जैन सिद्धांत प्रकाशिनी संस्था--कलकत्ता, 1919, पूर्व पीठिका, पृ. 58.
  4. गणितसार---संग्रह, आचार्य महावीर (850 ई.), हिन्दी अनुवाद--प्रो. लक्ष्मीचन्द्र जैन, जैन संस्कृति संरक्षक संघ--शोलापुर, 1963, अध्याय-1, श्लोक -16 (1/16).
  5. त्रिंशतिका, आचार्य श्रीधर, पं. सुधाकर द्विवेदी, वाराणसी, 1899.

Discussed in this article

Texts & works

Dynasties, sects & groups

  • दिगंबर परंपरा
  • श्वेतांबर परंपरा

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In this issue

Vol. 48 · No. 09
5–6आत्म-विश्लेषण के लिए7–8विमर्शछगन मोहता9–13अहिंसा की सामाजिक ताकतनंद चतुर्वेदी14–21जैन आगमो में गणितडॉ. अनुपम जैनCurrent article22–26अध्यात्म और सामाजिकता : आचार्य भिक्षु की दृष्टि मेंडॉ. दयानंद भार्गव27–28अनुभूति29–31मैत्री : दृष्टि का रूपांतरणआचार्यश्री महाप्रज्ञ32–33गांठिं खोलेंआचार्यश्री तुलसी34–37शिक्षक दिवस स्कूलें : एलीट क्लास का षड़यंत्रदयालचन्द्र सोनी38–39नंगे पैरवेंकटेश माडगूलकर40–43क्षमा की सरिता : निमज्जन के क्षणमुनि मदनकुमार44नन्दकिशोर आचार्य की कविताएंनन्दकिशोर आचार्य45–46शीलनविद्यानिवास मिश्र47–49पर्युषण : प्रेम और सहअस्तित्व का प्रशिक्षणसाध्वी कनकश्री50–51शाकाहार का मर्म52–54राजकुमार एकचरणमुनि सुमेरमल लाडनूं

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