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Q71 (NDA-I/2012) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Jain doctrine and sects Answer Verified

Consider the following statements relating to Jain literature : 1. The sacred books of the Jainas are known as Siddhanta or Agama. 2. The language of the earliest Jain texts is eastern dialect of Pali known as Ardha Magadhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1.

  • Statement 1 is correct: The canonical literature of Jainism is collectively referred to as the Siddhanta or Agamas. These texts are believed to contain the teachings of the Tirthankaras, particularly Mahavira, and were compiled over several centuries, primarily being finalized at the Council of Vallabhi.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: While the language used in early Jain texts is indeed Ardhamagadhi (a Middle Indo-Aryan language), it is a dialect of Prakrit, not Pali. Pali is the primary language associated with the early Buddhist canon (Theravada). This technical distinction regarding the linguistic root makes the second statement factually inaccurate in the context of the question.

Therefore, only the first statement accurately describes Jain literature, making Option 1 the right choice for a UPSC aspirant focusing on ancient Indian literary traditions.

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