With reference to the sources of information about Jainism and Buddhism, state the significance of the following:

(a) Angas

(b) Tripitikas

(c) Jatakas

(a) The Angas are regarded as the most important part of Jain doctrines. They are the compilation of whatever Lord Mahavira taught after gaining omniscience. The Angas were compiled in Twelve parts and are collectively known as Dwadashangi. The two well known and most important Angas are the Aacharang Sutra that deals with the code of conduct for Jain monks and the Vyakhya Pragnapti or Bhagavati Sutra that gives comprehensive description of Jain doctrines. The Angas discuss religious rites, stages of a householder's life, the vows of chastity, rules of conduct and all the philosophies of Jainism. Based on these angas, the seers also compiled 12 auxiliary works that came to be known as Upangas. The Angas and Upangas provide detailed knowledge about Jainism.

(b) The Tripitikas are considered as the most important literary works of Buddhists. The three tripitikas are following:

1. The Vinaya Pitaka — It deals with rules and regulations for monks and nuns. It gives an account of life and teachings of Buddha as well as aspects of ancient history, customs and arts of the period.
2. The Sutta Pitaka — It comprises the discourses of Buddha and some of his disciples such as Sariputta, Ananda and others. The Dhammapada (way of truth) is an important component of this Pitaka.
3. The Abhidhamma Pitaka — It describes Buddhist philosophy, working of human mind and state of matter.

Besides being the most reliable source of information about Buddhism, the Tripitakas also provide a glimpse of the social, economic and political life of people of that period.

(c) Jatakas refer to tales which describe the previous births of Buddha in animal and human forms. According to Jatakas the future Buddha may appear as a king, an outcast, a God, an elephant; but in whatever form, he exhibits some virtue that the tale thereby highlights. The Jatakas provide very little biographical material about Gautama Buddha's own life but throw a significant light on the political, economical and social conditions of people from the fifth to the second century BC. They also reflect Buddhist morals, ethics and principles.