Agam 18 Upang 07 Jambudveep Pragnapti Sutra Shwetambar

The provided text is the Jambudvipa Prajnapti Sutra (Agam 18, Upang 07), a significant Jain scripture belonging to the Shvetambara tradition. Authored by Purnachandrasagar and published by Jainanand Pustakalay, this work details the geography, cosmology, and early history of the Jain universe, with a particular focus on Jambudvipa, the central continent.

The text begins with invocations to prominent figures in Jainism, including Lord Mahavir, Gautam Swami, Sudharma Swami, and various Acharyas. It then delves into the profound significance of Shrut Gyan (scriptural knowledge) and the importance of the Agams, which are considered the direct words of Lord Mahavir.

A substantial portion of the text is dedicated to recounting the history of the six major recensions (Vachanas) of the Agams. These recensions were crucial for preserving the Jain scriptures through various challenging periods, including famines, political turmoil, and persecution. The text highlights:

• First Vachana (Shri Dvadashanga Shrut Sankalan) occurred around Vir Nirvana Samvat (VNS) 160 (approx. 339 BCE) in Pataliputra (modern Patna) under the presidentship of Sthulabhadra, necessitated by a severe famine and the scattering of monks.
• Second Vachana (Agam Samrakshan Vachana) took place around VNS 245-281 (approx. 294-258 BCE) in Ujjain, patronized by Emperor Samprati, to address deficiencies in recitation and ensure the preservation of the Agams.
• Third Vachana (around VNS 300-330, approx. 249-219 BCE) involved a large assembly of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen, convened by King Kharavel of Kalinga, to organize the eleven Angas and ten Purvas.
• Fourth Vachana (around VNS 592, approx. 3 BCE) in Dashpur (Mandsaur), presided over by Aryarakshit Suri, occurred during a severe famine in North India. It focused on organizing the Agams into four sections (Anuyogas) for easier understanding by future generations with less retentive power.
• Fifth Vachana (around VNS 830-840, approx. 279-269 CE) saw monks from North India gather in Mathura under Dil Suri, and disciples of Nagari vamsiya Aryas Nagari Suri from South India assemble in Valabhi. This was done to address the geographical and chronological dispersion of Jain monks and the potential for textual variations.
• Sixth Vachana (around VNS 1000, approx. 450 CE) in Valabhpur (Saurashtra), conducted by Aryas Devarkingani and Kalak Suri, involved the systematic compilation and inscription of the 84 Agams onto palm leaves, marking the first time the Agams were put into written, book form.

The text laments the decline of the Agamic tradition and the loss of scriptural knowledge after the first millennium of the current era (VNS 1000). It attributes this to the influence of a deteriorating age (Vishham Kaal) and the rise of laxity (Shithilachar) after the 10th century (VNS). The scarcity of Agamic manuscripts made them inaccessible even to qualified scholars.

The narrative then shifts to the late 20th century, highlighting the efforts of Acharya Shri Anand Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj (also known as 'Poo. Sagarji M.') in revitalizing the study and dissemination of Agams. Despite facing challenging times, including political instability and the influence of Western education, he diligently researched and published limited editions of Agamic texts. He organized six-month-long study sessions in various locations like Patan, Kapadvanj, Ahmedabad, and Surat from VNS 1971-1977 (approx. 1914-1920 CE), where hundreds of monks and nuns participated, reading approximately 2,33,200 verses across 26 texts. He also guided other prominent scholars in this endeavor, ensuring the flow of scriptural knowledge.

The text further explains that the Jambudvipa Prajnapti Sutra itself was revised and published under the guidance of Acharya Shri Anand Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj, with the current edition being a re-publication of that work.

The subsequent pages provide a detailed geographical and cosmological description of Jambudvipa, the central continent in Jain cosmology. This includes:

• The dimensions and shape of Jambudvipa: Described as circular, like a lotus petal, a chariot wheel, or a full moon, with specific measurements in Yojana (a unit of distance).
• The surrounding oceans and continents: Mentioning the Lava and Kalamaha oceans.
• The central mountain Meru (Mandara Parvat): Its dimensions, surrounding mountains (like Himavanta, Mahahimavanta, Nishadha, etc.), and the beautiful forests (Vanasandas) and lotuses (Padmas) associated with them.
• The Jambudvipa city (Janapada) and its gates (Vijay, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparajita).
• The Bharata and Airavata regions: Describing their geographical features, including mountains, rivers (Ganga, Sindhu), and the characteristics of their inhabitants.
• The existence of various beings: Including celestial beings (Vanamantara Devas and Devis) residing in these regions and experiencing the fruits of their karma.
• The different time cycles (Kalachakra): Ohasarpini (descending) and Utsarpini (ascending) with their six sub-phases each (Susama-susama, Susama, Susama-dusama, Dusama-susama, Dusama, Dusama-dusama).
• The evolution of human life and society across these time cycles: Describing the physical attributes, lifespan, diet, dwellings, social customs, and moral conduct of humans in different eras, from the most blissful to the most degenerate. This includes descriptions of the ideal conditions in the beginning of the Susama-susama period and the harsh realities of the Dusama-dusama period.
• The birth and life of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (Adinatha): His immense divine powers, his renunciation, his asceticism, and his attainment of omniscience (Keval Gyana) and liberation (Moksha) at the peak of Mount Ashtapada.
• The celestial beings' attendance at the Tirthankara's birth and liberation: The detailed descriptions of the divine ceremonies, the arrival of various celestial beings, and their rituals.
• The description of the celestial bodies: Including the Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra) and their movements across different orbits (Mandala), their sizes, and their distances.
• The characteristics of the stars (Nakshatras): Their numbers, movements, and associated deities.
• The geography of other regions: Such as the Himavanta, Mahahimavanta, Nishadha, Hari, Airavata, and Mahavideha regions, along with their respective mountains, rivers, cities, and divine inhabitants.
• The importance of specific mountains and sacred sites: Such as the Meru mountain, Ashtapada mountain, Mount Gandhamadana, and various sacred ponds and temples.
• The lineage of kings and Tirthankaras: Mentioning the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, and the legendary emperor Bharata.

Overall, the Jambudvipa Prajnapti Sutra is a monumental work that provides a comprehensive account of the Jain universe's structure, its inhabitants, its time cycles, and its historical and spiritual milestones, emphasizing the profound importance of scriptural knowledge and its preservation.