Agam 17 Upang 06 Chandra Pragnapti Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha

This document is a Gujarati translation and explanation of the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra, which is the sixth Upanga (subsidiary scripture) within the Shvetambara Agam literature. It is part of a larger work titled "Sri Agama Guna Manjusha" (Treasury of Agama Virtues), compiled by Acharya Gunasagarsuri.

The document provides a brief overview of the 45 Agamas, then categorizes them into Angas (main scriptures), Upangas (subsidiary scriptures), Chedasutras (texts on discipline), Choolikas (appendices), and Payannas (other texts). While the main title mentions "Agam 17 Upang 06 Chandra Pragnapti Sutra," the actual content begins with a general overview of the Agamas and then focuses on the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra and other related astronomical/cosmological texts.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the provided pages:

I. Overview of Jain Agamas (Pages 2-4):

• 11 Angas: A brief description of each of the eleven Anga Sutras, including their content, number of chapters/lessons, approximate verse count, and primary subject matter (e.g., conduct, doctrine, cosmology, tales).
• 12 Upangas: A summary of the twelve Upanga Sutras, highlighting their connection to specific Angas and their general themes (e.g., descriptions of cities, kings, divine beings, cosmology, lives of great souls).
• 10 Prakirna Sutras: An introduction to ten Prakirna (miscellaneous) Sutras, often dealing with aspects of conduct, death rituals, and religious practices.
• 6 Cheda Sutras: Mentions the six Cheda Sutras, emphasizing their focus on rules, exceptions, penance, and criticism, noting that their study is restricted to highly qualified monks.
• 4 Mula Sutras: Introduces four Mula (root) Sutras, including their significance and content related to monastic conduct and philosophy.
• 2 Choolikas: Mentions two Choolikas, Nandi Sutra and Anuyogadvāra Sutra, highlighting their importance as keys to understanding the Agamas.

II. Focus on Chandra Pragnapti Sutra and Related Texts (Pages 5-44):

The majority of the document delves into the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra and its related astronomical content. It systematically breaks down the sutra into various "Prahud" (sections or chapters), each detailing specific aspects of celestial bodies and their movements.

• Detailed Cosmological and Astronomical Content: The core of the document is a detailed exposition of the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra, covering:
  • The Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra): Their movements, positions, orbits, and influence.
  • Concentric Circles (Mandala) and Semi-Circles (Arddhamandala): Their structure and the Sun's/Moon's passage through them.
  • Day and Night Cycles: Variations in length, equinoxes, and solstices.
  • Planetary Movements: The paths and speeds of celestial bodies.
  • Seasons and Months: Their determination by celestial movements.
  • Specific Astronomical Phenomena: Discussions on eclipses, phases of the moon, and the nature of light and darkness.
  • Geographical and Cosmological Framework: Descriptions of continents (Jambudvipa, etc.), oceans, and mountains within the Jain cosmological model.
  • Measurement and Calculations: Detailed calculations regarding distances, durations, and sizes of celestial bodies and their orbits, expressed in Yojana (a unit of distance) and Muhurta (a unit of time).
  • Astrology and Astronomy: The text extensively discusses astrological calculations related to stars (Nakshatras), their conjunctions with the sun and moon, and their influence.
  • Names and Classifications: It details names of months, days, constellations, their subdivisions, and the celestial beings associated with them.
  • The concept of Rahu: The text discusses the astronomical explanations for eclipses, attributing them to the movement of celestial bodies rather than a mythical being consuming the sun or moon.
  • The Sun's Shadow (Paurushi Chhaya): Detailed calculations and explanations of shadow formations.
  • Types of deaths and ascetics: Briefly mentions different types of death and their relation to celestial influences.

III. Structure of the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra:

The text appears to be structured into sections called "Prahud" (indicated by numbers like "10-1," "10-2," etc.), with further subdivisions within them (e.g., "Prabhuta," "Prabhuta-Prabhuta"). Each Prahud addresses specific astronomical calculations and descriptions, often involving complex numerical data and units of measurement.

Overall Purpose:

The "Agam Guna Manjusha" aims to make the profound and detailed knowledge contained within the Jain Agamas accessible. This particular volume focuses on the Chandra Pragnapti Sutra, which serves as a treatise on Jain astronomy and cosmology, providing a systematic and mathematical framework for understanding the celestial realm within the Jain worldview. The text emphasizes meticulous calculations and classifications of celestial phenomena, reflecting the scientific and analytical approach of ancient Jain scholars.