Churni

Jaina text

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June 25, 2026

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The term "Churni" refers to a type of commentary on Jain canonical texts. These commentaries, composed in Prakrit between the 4th and 7th centuries CE, are based on earlier metrical commentaries called Niryuktis. Churnis contain ancient Jain legends, historical traditions, and popular stories that support Jain doctrine.1

The Jain canonical scriptures are not from a single period and have undergone revisions. The Shvetambara sect's canon, largely established by the mid-5th century CE, includes texts believed to be compiled from discourses by Mahavira. The Digambara sect disputes the authenticity of the Shvetambara canon, believing the original teachings are lost but that the core doctrine is preserved in other texts.12

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Jainism
Canonical and commentarial literature
of texts called Bhashyas and Churnis. Composed between the 4th and the 7th century, these texts contain many ancient Jain legends and historical traditions and a large number of popular stories that support Jain doctrine. The Bhashyas and Churnis, in turn, gave rise in the medieval period to a large…
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of texts called Bhashyas and Churnis. Composed between the 4th and the 7th century, these texts contain many ancient Jain legends and historical traditions and a large number of popular stories that support Jain doctrine. The Bhashyas and Churnis, in turn, gave rise in the medieval period to a large…
Read More