Q. Consider the following statements regarding Jain literature:
1.The Purvas are the original and unadulterated teachings of Tirthankaras.
2.The Kalpa Sutras are the biographies of Tirthankaras written by Sthalabaahu.
3.The Adipurana was written by Kannada language by poet Pampa.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct
Statement 1 is correct: The original, unadulterated teachings of the Tirthankaras, the Purvas, are said to have been contained in 14 ancient or “prior” (PURVA) texts.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Bhadrabahu, traditionally recognized as the last Jain sage to know the contents of the Purvas, is thought to be the author of the NIRYUKTIS, the earliest commentaries on the Jain canonical texts. He also wrote – UVASAGGAHARAM TOTRA, KALPA SUTRA -Biographies of Jain Tirthankars.
Statement 3 is correct: Jain authors were also an important formative influence on Kannada literature. The Jain lay poet Pampa’s Adipurana (another text dealing with the lives of Rishabha, Bahubali, and Bharata) is the earliest extant piece of mahakavya (“high poetic”) Kannada literature.
