Question

The oldest Jain scriptures are regarded to be the----.
A. Fourteen Purvas
B. Twelve Upangas
C. Twelve Angas
D. Fourteen Uparvas

Answer 1

Hint:- Jain literature is composed of Jain Agamas and also with the words of the various Jain ascetics. The division of Jain literature is between two parts one is Digambara literature and the second is Śvētāmbara literature. There are several languages used in Jain literature mainly Magadhi Prakrit, Sanskrit, Marathi, Tamil, Rajasthani, Marwari, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, and English.

Complete answer:
The oldest Jain scriptures are regarded to be the Twelve Angas. So, C is the right answer.
Agama is a Sanskrit word that signifies the 'coming’ is out of the body.
The Jain disciples tried to compile the oral teachings of Lord Mahavir into twelve main sutras and these texts are known as Ang-agams.
Hence the Ang-agams is known as the backbone of Jain literature.
12 Angas of Jainism are following as:- Archranga, Sthananga, Vakyaprainapti, Upaska-Adyananga, Amuttarapada Kanga, Vipakasutranga, Sutrakruthanga, Somavayanga, Dharma-Kathanga, Anthakruda sanga, Prashnavyakaranaka, Drustipravadanga. The earliest Jain Agamas were written in the Ardhamagadhi Prakrit language.

Hence, answer C is the right option.

Note: These Angas based on the discourse of the Tirthankara, delivered in a samavasarana (divine preaching hall).
Jains believe that this literature originated from the first tirthankara, Rishabhanatha.