Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
Like Sthānāṅga and other texts, Bhagvatī is also compiled by gaṇadhara Sudharma. This is the fifth aṅga and compilation of Lord Mahavira's preaching. The Bhagavatī text available at present is the outcome of the council held by Devardhigaṇi Kshamaśramaṇa.
Scholars opine that the twenty śatakas are ancient and original, and the other śatakas are later appended editions. This opinion demands further research and analysis. Western scholar Winternitz states that 'It would seem that this Book XV of Bhagavati was originally an independent text, and indeed the whole of the fifth aṅga has the appearance of a mosaic, into which various texts were inserted little by little.'[1] Almost all the scholars who have worked on Bhagavatī do not consider that it is a compilation of one period of time. New editions have been attached with the progress of time. As per scholars, Bhagavatī can be divided into many sections on the basis of time. But in this context, still more research is essential as an in-depth study of this text may bring into light some new facts.
