- Source: Isibhasiyaim
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.
Etymology
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
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. 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. 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.
Mentions
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.
Concepts
The text Isibhasiyaim included the theme that a life of renunciation is inadequate unless it is accompanied by the specific ethical conduct of Jainism.
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."
List of the 45 sages
The list of the forty five sages mentioned in the text Isibhasiyaim are
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.
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.
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.
Angiras
Pushpashalputra
Valkalchiri
Kurmaputra
Kaitaliputra
Mahakashyap
Taitaliputra
Mankhaliputra
Yajnavalkya
Bhayali
Bahuk
Madhurayan
Shauryayan
Vidu
Varshap
Aryayan
Utkal
Gathapatiputra Tarun
Dagbhal
Ramputra
Harigiri
Ambad
Matanga
Varratak
Ardrak
Vardhman
Vayu
Parshwa
Ping
Arun
Rishigiri
Uddlaka
Tarayan
Shrigiri
Satiputra Buddha
Sanjaya
Dwaipayan
Indranag
Soma
Yama
Varuna
Vaishraman