Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
The nomenclature of the second text of dvādaśāṅgī is Sūyagaḍo. In Samavāyāṅga and other texts that explain dvādaśāṅgī, this very name of the text is found.[1] In Sūtrakṛtāṅga Niryukti, we find three names- sūtagaḍa, suttagaḍa and sūyagaḍa.[2]
In the preface of Sūtrakṛtaṅga, Acharya Mahāpragya elaborates three fold analyses regarding the name of the text:
- Sūtagaḍa (Sūtakṛta): This text is basically propounded or given birth (Sūta) by Lord Mahavira and the Gaṇadharas have compiled (Kṛta) it. Hence, by combining both we get the name Sūtagaḍa.
- Suttagaḍa (Sūtrakṛta): In this text, truth is realized on the basis of sūtra(aphorisms) hence it is called as Suttagaḍa.
- Sūyagaḍa (Sūcākṛta): In this text, there is a Sūcanā (information) about the doctrines of the Jain philosophy and also of others, hence it is called as Sūcakṛta.
Actually Sūta, sutta and sūya, are all Prakrit forms of the word suta, sūtra and sūca (in Skt). Due to the difference in form, three qualitative names are assigned to them. The question that crops up here is 'If all the aṅgas are primarily preached by Lord Mahavira and compiled by the Gaṇadharas, then why this text alone is called by the name Sūtrakṛta?
Same holds true for the second meaning of the name. Actually contents of the text suits well to the third name because this text is basically highlighting and discussing the different doctrines prevalent in the society then. With comparative information, an analysis is done with an intention to establish the Acāra i.e. conduct. Hence, it is more of an informative text. Samavāyāṅga and Nandī state that clearly.
'Sūyagaḍe ṇaṃ bhante sasamayā sūijjanti, parasamayā sūijjanti, sasamāyā parasamaya....'
That which provides information of self doctrines, other's doctrines and of both is called as sūtra. The present text predominantly contains the informative facts hence it is called by the name Sūtrakṛta.
A section of Dṛṣṭivāda is Sūtra. According to Virasena, Sūtra had description on other philosophies. This text has been composed of such contents; hence it is called as Sūtrakṛta. This expression seems more appropriate than other etymological derivation of Sūtrakṛta.[3]
