Agam Ka Vyakhya Sahitya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Agam ka Vyakhya Sahitya" by Dr. Udaychandra Jain, focusing on the commentary literature of the Jain Agamas:

The book "Agam ka Vyakhya Sahitya" by Dr. Udaychandra Jain delves into the rich tradition of commentary literature that has evolved around the Jain Agamas, the sacred scriptures of Jainism.

The Tradition of Agamas: The text establishes the Agamas as central to the Jain tradition, paralleling the Vedas in the Vedic tradition and the Tripitaka in Buddhism. It highlights that the core teachings of the Tirthankaras, particularly Lord Mahavir, are preserved in the Agamas. The author notes that while the Tirthankaras' teachings are eternal and unchanging, the compilation and formalization of these teachings into the Agam literature began to take shape roughly six hundred years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana and continued for about a thousand years, with this tradition still prevalent today.

Originators of the Agamas: The Tirthankaras are considered the ultimate source of the Agamas in terms of meaning. The Gandharas, disciples of the Tirthankaras, are credited with receiving, understanding, and formulating these teachings into concise aphorisms (sutras). The subsequent lineage of Acharyas is responsible for memorizing these sutras and, eventually, for their transcription into written form.

Agama Recensions (Vachanas): The text outlines three significant recensions or compilations of the Agamas:

1. Pataliputra Vachana: Held approximately 160 years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, under the presidency of Devarddhi Kshamashraman, which compiled eleven Agamas.
2. Mathura Vachana: Conducted between 824-840 years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, under the guidance of Arya Skandila.
3. Valabhinagar Vachana: Occurring about 980 years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, this recension resulted in the written compilation of 45 Agama texts.

Languages of the Agamas: The primary language of the Agamas is Ardhamagadhi, prevalent in regions like Mathura, Magadha, Koshala, and Kashi. Shouraseni was also a significant language, widely spread in the Shurasena region and the central territories.

Content of the Agamas: The Agamas encompass a vast range of subjects, including religion, philosophy, culture, mathematics, astrology, astronomy, geography, and history. This multifaceted content makes them significant from spiritual, philosophical, cultural, and scientific perspectives.

The Commentary Literature (Vyakhyā Sahitya): The core of the book focuses on the various types of commentaries that have been written on the Agamas. These are categorized as follows:

1. Niyukti (निSTRUCTION):

   • Considered the earliest form of commentary, Niyukti elaborates on the meaning of the sutras. The etymology suggests it's an elaboration and systematic arrangement of the sutra meanings.
   • These are concise explanations of the Gathas (verses) within the Agamas, dating approximately from the 4th to 6th centuries CE (though exact dates are still debated).
   • They simplify complex ideas and often include discussions on religion, philosophy, culture, society, and history as relevant to the context.
   • The text provides detailed descriptions of prominent Niyuktis like Aavashyak Niyukti, Dashavaikalik Niyukti, Uttaradhyayan Niyukti, Acharanga Niyukti, Sutrakritanga Niyukti, Dashashrutaskandha Niyukti, Brihatkalpa Niyukti, Vyavahara Niyukti, Nishitha Niyukti, Pind Niyukti, Ogha Niyukti, Samsakta Niyukti, Govinda Niyukti, and Aradhana Niyukti, highlighting their specific contributions and content. For instance, Aavashyak Niyukti discusses philosophical concepts, art, mathematics, and ethical principles. Dashavaikalik Niyukti elaborates on non-violence, self-control, and penance through narratives.

2. Bhashya (भाष्य):

   • These commentaries were written in Prakrit and often in a metrical style.
   • Prominent Bhashyakaras include Sanghadasa Gani and Jinabhadragani Kshamashraman.
   • Bhashyas were composed around the 7th century CE.
   • The text lists significant Bhashyas such as Brihatkalpa Bhashya, Vyavahara Bhashya, Nishitha Bhashya, Visheshavashyak Bhashya, Panchakalpa, Jitakalpa, and Laghu Bhashya, noting that Brihatkalpa, Vyavahara, and Nishitha are particularly extensive.
   • It provides summaries of the content of these Bhashyas, such as Brihatkalpa Bhashya offering insights into monastic life and psychological aspects of living spaces. Vyavahara Bhashya details the conduct, penance, and spiritual practices of monks and nuns, mentioning historical figures like Kalaka and Satavahana. Nishitha Bhashya focuses on the ideal of a faultless seeker free from attachment and aversion, incorporating historical, cultural, and philosophical discussions. Jitakalpa Bhashya emphasizes the importance of penance and describes various practices.

3. Churni (चूणि):

   • Churnis were written in both prose and poetry, using Prakrit and sometimes simple, understandable Sanskrit.
   • These commentaries were generally composed around the 7th-8th centuries CE.
   • Notable Churnikaras include Siddhasena Suri, Pralambhasuri, and Agastyasimha Suri.
   • The text lists numerous Churnis on various Agamas, such as Aavashyak Churni, Acharanga Churni, Sutrakritanga Churni, Dashavaikalik Churni, Uttaradhyayan Churni, Nandi Churni, Anuyogadvara Churni, Vyakhya Prajnapti Churni, Jambudvipa Prajnapti Churni, Jivabhigama Churni, Nishitha Churni, Mahanishitha Churni, Brihatkalpa Churni, Vyavahara Churni, Dashashrutaskandha Churni, Jivakalpa Churni, Panchakalpa Churni, and Ogha Churni.
   • These Churnis are noted for their rich content, including religious, philosophical, cultural, social, and historical material, often presented with engaging narratives and dialogues. For example, Aavashyak Churni contains detailed accounts of Rishabhadeva, descriptions of crafts, and historical events. Sutrakritanga Churni is rich in philosophical discussions and folk tales.

4. Tika (टीका):

   • Following Niyuktis, Bhashyas, and Churnis, Tika commentaries were written primarily in Sanskrit.
   • The term "Tika" encompasses various forms like vivruti, vritti, vivaran, vivechan, shravachuri, shravachurni, deepika, vyakhya, panchika, vibhasha, and chhaya.
   • Tika writers not only provided theoretical and philosophical analyses of the Agamas but also began to explain elements of folk art.
   • Prominent Tikakaras include Acharya Haribhadra Suri, who was among the first to write Sanskrit commentaries on texts like Rajaprasniya, Prajnapanā, Dashavaikalika, Aavashyak, Nandi, and Anuyogadvara. Acharya Shilanka followed with philosophical commentaries on Acharanga and Sutrakritanga. Maladhari Hemchandra and Kotyacharya wrote commentaries on Visheshavashyak. Malayagiri wrote extensively on Upanga Agamas and other texts. Abhayadeva, Devsuris, and Sumatisuri are also mentioned as significant commentators.
   • The book provides a detailed table listing various Agama texts (Anga Agamas, Upanga Agamas, Mula Sutras, Cheda Sutras, Prakirnak Sutras) and their respective Tikakaras.

5. Tabba (टब्बा):

   • Tabbas are described as brief commentaries written in Rajasthani and Gujarati.
   • Notable Tabbakars include Parshwachand and Dharamsinghji Maharaj.

6. Anuvad (अनुवाद):

   • Translations of the Agamas into other languages are termed Anuvad.
   • The main languages of translation mentioned are Hindi (by authors like Atmaram, Jawaharlal), English (by Hermann Jacobi, Abhyankar), and Gujarati (by Bechardas, Jivabhai Patel, Dalasukh Malavaniya, Saubhagyamuni).

Conclusion: The author emphasizes the critical need for evaluating this extensive tradition of commentary literature that has preserved and elucidated the Jain Agamas over centuries.

In essence, the book "Agam ka Vyakhya Sahitya" serves as a comprehensive guide to the evolution and nature of the diverse literature that explains and interprets the foundational scriptures of Jainism, highlighting the scholars and their contributions that have made these ancient texts accessible and relevant.