Isibhasiyaim (Sanskrit: इसिभासियाइं or Romanised: Isibhāsiyāiṃ) is an ancient text in Jainism tradition. It is also known as Rishibhashit Sutra. It is the collection of the stories and philosophies of the 45 sages of the ancient Indian Subcontinent.[1][2][3][4]

Isibhasiyaim
Information
ReligionJainism
Chapters45
SutrasRishibhashit
Ancient text of Jainism

Etymology

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The literal meaning of Isibhasiyaim is translated as "the sayings of sages". Isibhasiyaim is a compound word having two terms Ishi and bhasiyaim. In the Pali literature, the term used for Rishi is Ishi. Similarly the term bhasiyaim means "speaking or saying".

Description

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Isibhasiyaim is the collection of the ideas of the Indian philosophical tradition of Vedic sages, Buddhists and Jain Tirthankars from the 10th century BCE to the 6th century BCE. Apart from the ideas of the sages and Tirthankars, it provides the fundamental principles, emotional philosophical concepts and ethical sermons of them. In the text, nowhere insistence or opposition of any tradition comes into view, rather, there resonance of equanimity is reflected.[2] The text has included the philosophies of forty-five sages. According to Jainism tradition, the twenty sages are of the period of the Tirthankar Neminath, the fifteen sages of the period of the Tirthankar Parsvanath and the ten sages are of the period of the Tirthankar Mahavira.[3] According to the present system of classification of Jain Aagams, it is classified under Prakirnaka texts of Jainism.

The language of the text Isibhasiyaim is a mixed Prakrit language. It is dominated by Magadhi and Ardhamagadhi. At some parts of the text, it has the influence of Shauraseni and Paishachi. Similarly at some parts it has the influence of Maharashtrian dialects.[3]

Mentions

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The mention of Rishibhashit is found in the Kalik Sutras enumerated in the Nandi Sutras and Pakkhi Sutras of Jainism. Similarly it is mentioned in the list of the twelve texts of the Anga-Baahya in Tattvarthabhashya by Acharya Umaswati.[3]

Concepts

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The text Isibhasiyaim included the theme that a life of renunciation is inadequate unless it is accompanied by the specific ethical conduct of Jainism.[5]

The text quotes as

"Whoever conquers mind and passion, and acts with true austerity, shines like a fire into which the oblation has been poured."

— Isibhasiyaim 29.17

[6]

List of the 45 sages

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The list of the forty five sages mentioned in the text Isibhasiyaim are

  1. Narada - In Jainism tradition, Narada is presented as the author of the title "Truth is Purgation" which is the first chapter of the Jain text Rishimandal. In the text Rishibhashit, he called as Arhat Rishi and the future 21st Tirthankar Vimal in the coming next time cycle of Jainism.[2]
  2. Vajjiyaputta - Vajjiputta was the preacher of the principles of Karma from Lichchhavi clan. He is considered as the contemporary of Mahavira and Buddha. Some scholars also identified him identical to the Vedic sage Vastiputra mentioned in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
  3. Deval - Asita Devala is addressed as Arhat Rishi in the text Rishibhashit. He was the preacher of concepts of Moksha. He taught the path of detachment. In the Vedic tradition Asita and Devala are two the sages connected to the Shandilya Gotra, but in the Jainism text Isibhasiyaim Asita Devala is a single sage not two.[2]
  4. Angiras
  5. Pushpashalputra
  6. Valkalchiri
  7. Kurmaputra
  8. Kaitaliputra
  9. Mahakashyap
  10. Taitaliputra
  11. Mankhaliputra
  12. Yajnavalkya
  13. Bhayali
  14. Bahuk
  15. Madhurayan
  16. Shauryayan
  17. Vidu
  18. Varshap
  19. Aryayan
  20. Utkal
  21. Gathapatiputra Tarun
  22. Dagbhal
  23. Ramputra
  24. Harigiri
  25. Ambad
  26. Matanga
  27. Varratak
  28. Ardrak
  29. Vardhman
  30. Vayu
  31. Parshwa
  32. Ping
  33. Arun
  34. Rishigiri
  35. Uddlaka
  36. Tarayan
  37. Shrigiri
  38. Satiputra Buddha
  39. Sanjaya
  40. Dwaipayan
  41. Indranag
  42. Soma
  43. Yama
  44. Varuna
  45. Vaishraman

[2]

References

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  1. ^ Schubring, Walther (1974). Isibhasiyaim: A Jaina Text of Early Period. Inst. of Indology.
  2. ^ a b c d e Mahopadhyaya Vinayasagar. Isibhasiyaim Suttaim (rishibhashit Sutra).
  3. ^ a b c d "ऋषिभाषित सूत्र (इसिभासियाइं सुत्ताइं)- Rishibhashit Sutra (Isibhasiyaim Suttaim) | Exotic India Art". www.exoticindiaart.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  4. ^ Schubring, Walther (1974). Isibhāsiyāiṃ: prācīna Jaina Āgama (in Sanskrit). Lālabhāī Dalapatabhāī Bhāratīya Saṃskr̥ti Vidyāmandira.
  5. ^ Shepherd, Kevin R. D. (1995). Minds and Sociocultures: Zoroastrianism and the Indian religions. Philosophical Press. p. 751. ISBN 978-0-9525089-0-8.
  6. ^ Edwards, Linda (2001-01-01). A Brief Guide to Beliefs: Ideas, Theologies, Mysteries, and Movements. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 261. ISBN 978-0-664-22259-8.