Acharangasutram Sutrakrutangsutram Cha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the key aspects of the Ācārāṅgasūtra and Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra, as presented in the text itself:

Overall Title and Content:

The book is titled "Ācārāṅgasūtra Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra Cha," indicating it contains two of the most important foundational texts of Jainism. It is published by Motilal Banarsidass, a renowned publisher of Indological and Jain literature. The volume is part of the "Lala Sundarlal Jain Āgamagranthamālā," Volume I, suggesting it's the beginning of a significant series dedicated to Jain scriptures.

Key Components of the Text:

• Ācārāṅgasūtra and Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra: These are the primary texts presented.
• Niryukti of Ācārya Bhadrabāhu Svāmī: The text includes the "Niryukti," a concise commentary or summary, by the venerable Acārya Bhadrabāhu Svāmī, a highly respected Jain acharya known for his profound knowledge and work on Jain Agamas.
• Commentary of Śilāṅkācārya: A detailed commentary, known as "Tīkā" or "Vr̥tti," by Ācārya Śilāṅka is also included. Śilāṅkācārya is a prominent commentator on Jain Agamas, and his work provides deep insights into the texts.
• Original Editors and Re-editors: The text acknowledges the original editing by the late Acārya Sāgarānandasūriji Mahārāja. It was re-edited with appendices, etc., by Muni Jambūvijayaji, a disciple of the late Munirāja Śrī Bhuvanavijayaji Mahārāja. This highlights the scholarly effort and lineage involved in bringing this publication to light.
• Appendices: The publication includes several appendices for the Ācārāṅgasūtra and Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra, such as:
  • Vardhipatraka (Correctional notes) Gudhipatraka (Purification notes) Aṅka Gudhipatraka (Number correction notes) Tīkāyām Uddhr̥tāḥ Pāṭhāḥ (Texts quoted in the commentary) Ācārāṅgasūtraṇām Gadyarūpāṇām Akārādikramah (Alphabetical order of prose forms of Ācārāṅgasūtra) Ācārāṅgasūtrāntargatānām Gāthānām Akārādikramah (Alphabetical order of verses within Ācārāṅgasūtra) Ācārāṅganiyuktīnām Akārādikramah (Alphabetical order of Niryuktis of Ācārāṅga) Similarly for Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra.

Publisher and Trust:

The book is published by the "Motilal Banarsidass Indological Trust," indicating its focus on scholarly and cultural preservation of Indological and Jain heritage.

Biographical Information:

The publication includes biographical notes on Lala Sundarlal Jain (born February 15, 1900, died January 23, 1978), the driving force behind the publication efforts of Motilal Banarsidass. It details his dedication to Sanskrit, his role in spreading Indian culture and philosophy, his family's history, and his significant contributions to the publishing world, including his deep faith in Jainism and his association with Jain scholars and institutions.

Content of the Introduction (Prastāvanā):

The introduction delves into the significance of the Ācārāṅgasūtra and Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra within the twelve Angas (limbs) of the Jain canon. It explains:

• The Twelve Angas: It lists the twelve Angas as recognized in the Nandi Sūtra, mentioning their Prakrit and Sanskrit names. It notes that the twelfth Anga, Dṛṣṭivāda, is lost but was historically considered vast.
• Aṅgapraviṣṭa and Aṅgabāhya: It clarifies the distinction between "Angapraviṣṭa" (part of the Angas) and "Aṅgabāhya" (texts outside the Angas) based on the authorship and tradition.
• Language and Style: The text highlights the ancient Prakrit language of Ācārāṅga and Sūtrakr̥tāṅga, noting their early and significant role in Jain teachings.
• Divisions: It details the structure of Ācārāṅgasūtra into two Śrutaskandhas (major divisions) and further intoadhyananas (chapters) and culikās (sub-sections).
• Authorship: It discusses the traditional authorship of the first Śrutaskandha of Ācārāṅga by the fifth Gaṇadhara, Śrī Sudharmasvāmi, and the varied traditions regarding the authorship of the second Śrutaskandha. It also mentions the lineage of transmission and the importance of preserving the original teachings.
• Subject Matter: The introduction touches upon the profound philosophical and ethical content of these texts, particularly Ācārāṅgasūtra's focus on conduct and Sūtrakr̥tāṅgasūtra's engagement with various philosophical and heretical views.
• Textual History: It provides a historical overview of the transmission of these texts, including discussions about different recensions (Vācanā) like Māthurī and Nāgārjunīya, and the efforts made by scholars like Śilāṅkācārya and Muni Jambūvijayaji to preserve and re-edit them.
• Cross-Cultural Influence: It notes philosophical and linguistic parallels found between Jain texts and other Indian philosophical and religious traditions, such as Buddhism and Upanishadic thought.

Overall Purpose:

The publication aims to present these fundamental Jain scriptures in a scholarly manner, enriched by the commentaries of revered acharyas, making them accessible to students of Jainism and Indology. The inclusion of appendices suggests a focus on providing a critical and comprehensive edition. The dedication to the editor's gurus and parents highlights the devotional and lineage-based aspect of this scholarly undertaking.