जैन आगमो में गणित
By डॉ. अनुपम जैन
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
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.