UPSC Prelims 2022 Q55: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Sorting the four texts by religion
| Text | Tradition | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nettipakarana | Buddhist | Pali guide to interpreting the Buddha's teachings |
| Parishishtaparvan | Jaina | By Hemachandra (12th century); says Chandragupta Maurya became a Jain |
| Avadanashataka | Buddhist | Sanskrit collection of 100 avadana (deed) stories |
| Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana | Jaina | Lives of the 63 great men (Shalakapurushas), by Jinasena and Gunabhadra |
So only texts 2 and 4 are Jaina.
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Nettipakarana and Avadanashataka are Buddhist texts.
- (b) CORRECT. Parishishtaparvan (Hemachandra) and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana (Jinasena) are Jaina.
- (c) Incorrect. It includes two Buddhist texts and leaves out Hemachandra's Parishishtaparvan.
- (d) Incorrect. Avadanashataka is a Buddhist story collection, not a Jaina work.
Key point
Jaina: Parishishtaparvan (Hemachandra), Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana (Jinasena). Buddhist: Nettipakarana, Avadanashataka.
Remember
Jaina pair: Parishishtaparvan + Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana.
Common mistakes
- Treating any Sanskrit 'shataka' or 'purana' title as Hindu or Jaina by default.
- Not linking avadana literature to Buddhism (like the Divyavadana).
- Forgetting that Parishishtaparvan is the source of the Chandragupta Maurya-Jainism story.
Exam tip
Word clues: 'avadana' and 'netti' signal Buddhist texts; '63 Shalakapurushas' and Hemachandra signal Jaina.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History I, Ch 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)
- Upinder Singh — A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India