Acharya Amrutchandra Vyaktitva Evam Kartutva - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Acharya Amrutchandra Vyaktitva Evam Kartutva" by Uttamchand Jain, based on the provided pages.

Book Title: Acharya Amrutchandra Vyaktitva Evam Kartutva (Acharya Amritchandra: Personality and Work) Author: Dr. Uttamchand Jain Publisher: Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur

Overall Summary:

This PhD dissertation, approved by Vikram University, Ujjain, is a detailed exploration of the life, personality, and contributions of Acharya Amritchandra, a highly revered Jain scholar and commentator who lived in the 10th century CE. The book is published by the Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur, and was first released on January 1, 1988, coinciding with the 2000th anniversary of Acharya Kundkund.

The dissertation is structured into several chapters, aiming to present a comprehensive evaluation of Acharya Amritchandra's multifaceted genius.

Key Themes and Contributions of Acharya Amritchandra as presented in the text:

Spiritual Luminary and Commentator: Acharya Amritchandra is primarily recognized for his profound spiritual insights and his role as a commentator on the works of earlier great acharyas, most notably Acharya Kundkund. He is credited with revitalizing and disseminating the philosophy of Jinism, particularly its spiritual and philosophical aspects.
Revitalizing Jain Philosophy: Acharya Amritchandra is presented as a figure who made the profound philosophical and spiritual teachings of earlier acharyas, like Kundkund, accessible and impactful for a wider audience. His commentaries are said to have breathed new life into these ancient texts.
"Atmakhyati" Commentary: His commentary on Kundkund's "Samaysara," known as "Atmakhyati," is particularly highlighted. It's described as being so insightful and spiritually potent that it gained even greater reverence than Kundkund's original work for some. This commentary is noted for its unique blend of prose and poetry, making it a "campu" (mixed prose-poetry) work that deeply resonates with the soul.
Author of Original Works: Beyond his commentaries, Acharya Amritchandra is also recognized as an original author. His significant works include:
- Purusharthasiddhi Upaya: A powerful treatise on the conduct of ascetics and virtuous householders (shravakas), considered to be on par with Acharya Samantabhadra's "Ratnakaranda Shravakacharya." It is praised for its meticulous and detailed analysis of concepts like violence and non-violence.
- Tattvarthasara: A poetic rendition of Acharya Umashwami's "Tattvarthasutra," presented in a simple and accessible language.
- Laghu Tattvasphota (Shaktimanit Kosa): A unique stotra (hymn) written in the style of Acharya Samantabhadra, praised for its profound philosophical content, artistic merit, and intricate use of language and meters. It is considered a treasure trove of Jain principles and logic.
Master of Diverse Literary Forms: Amritchandra is lauded for his mastery in various literary forms:
- Poet: He is described as a skilled poet whose verses inspire seekers towards self-realization.
- Prose Writer: His prose is characterized by its clarity, depth, and logical coherence, effectively conveying complex philosophical ideas.
- Dramatist: Notably, his "Atmakhyati" commentary on "Samaysara" is highlighted for its dramatic elements and narrative style, leading it to be considered a "Samaysara Nataka" (Samaysara Drama) by some, a testament to his ability to infuse philosophical texts with engaging theatricality.
Synthesis of Intellect and Emotion: His literary works are seen as a beautiful coordination of intellect and emotion. He was neither purely emotional nor a dry logician. His prose is refined when intellect dominates, and his poetry is flowing and serene when the heart prevails.
Influence on Jain Tradition: Acharya Amritchandra played a pivotal role in advancing the spiritual tradition initiated by Acharya Kundkund, the ethical guidelines of Acharya Umashwami, and the devotional stotra tradition of Acharya Samantabhadra. His contribution to developing these traditions is considered unprecedented.
Scholarly Recognition and Evaluation: The book emphasizes the continuous need for scholarly evaluation of Acharya Amritchandra's personality and work, a task that was hindered by the lack of suitable researchers until this dissertation.
Role of Shri Kanji Swami: The text acknowledges the significant role of Shri Kanji Swami in bringing to light the contributions of Acharyas like Kundkund and Amritchandra, thereby reigniting interest in their philosophy in the 20th century.
Historical Context: The dissertation delves into the religious, literary, and political conditions of the era preceding and surrounding Acharya Amritchandra's life, demonstrating how these factors influenced and were influenced by his work. It discusses the prevalent religious climate, intellectual debates, and socio-political landscape of ancient India, particularly the flourishing of Jainism.

Structure of the Dissertation (as indicated by the Table of Contents):

Introduction: Highlighting the publisher's pleasure in publishing this work.
Foreword/Preface: By Dr. Hukumchand Bharill Shastri, providing a scholarly introduction.
Author's Note: By Dr. Uttamchand Jain.
Background: Setting the historical and philosophical context.
Bibliography/Index: Listing of related works and sources.
Table of Contents: Detailed breakdown of the book's structure.
Chapter 1: Preceding Conditions: Discussing the religious, literary, and political environments of the time.
Chapter 2: Biographical Sketch: Covering the time period, life events, and Amritchandra's place in the lineage of Jain acharyas.
Chapter 3: Personality and Influence: Analyzing his role as a dramatist, poet, prose writer, commentator, logician, linguist, philosopher, grammarian, and spiritual seeker, and his impact on later acharyas.
Chapter 4: Works: Detailed analysis of his known works, including Purusharthasiddhi Upaya, Atmakhyati, Tattvapradipika, Samaya Vyakhya, Samaysara Kalasha, Tattvarthasara, and Laghu Tattvasphota.
Chapter 5: Literary Evaluation: Assessing his language, style, figures of speech, meter, rasa (sentiment), and qualities.
Chapter 6: Philosophical Thoughts: Studying concepts like Nishchaya and Vyavahara, Anekanta-Syadvada, Nimitta-Upadana, and the nature of the agent and action.
Chapter 7: Religious Thoughts: Clarifying monastic conduct (Muni Achar) and the principles of righteous householders (Shravakachar).
Chapter 8: Conclusion: Summarizing his unique contributions, his role in promoting spiritualism, and his legacy for the present era.

Publisher's Note:

The publisher, Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, expresses great pleasure in publishing this research work, highlighting Dr. Uttamchand Jain's expertise in Sanskrit and his spiritual inclination. His previous work on Pandit Todarmal and the publication of Dr. Shudhatmaprabha's work on Acharya Kundkund are also mentioned, placing this book within a series of significant publications. The publisher also expresses gratitude to all contributors and the printers.

Overall Impression:

The book is a scholarly and dedicated effort to bring the life and works of Acharya Amritchandra to the forefront. It highlights his immense contribution to Jain literature, philosophy, and spirituality, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the tradition after Acharya Kundkund. The author, Dr. Uttamchand Jain, is praised for his deep study and meticulous research.