Angavijja

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Angavijja" based on the provided information and the extensive table of contents.

Book Title: Angavijja (Science of Divination through Physical Signs & Symbols) Author(s): Muni Shri Punyavijayaji (Editor) Publisher: Prakrit Text Society, Ahmedabad Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/001439/1

Overview:

The Angavijja, also referred to as Angavijja-painnaya or Angavidyā-prakirnaka, is a significant and unique work preserved within the Svetambara Jain Agamic tradition. Dating back to the Kushana-Gupta transitional period (around the 4th century CE), it is a comprehensive treatise on the science of prognostication through observing physical signs and human behavior. While its primary purpose is divination, the text is an invaluable repository of socio-cultural information pertaining to India up to and several centuries prior to the 4th century CE. It contains hundreds of classified lists of realia, offering encyclopedic data on various aspects of life.

Key Features and Contents:

The Angavijja is a vast work, estimated to contain around nine thousand verses spread across sixty chapters. It is characterized by a Gadyapadyamaya (prose and verse) structure and is divided into various sections called "patalas" within larger chapters.

I. Purpose and Scope of Angavijja:

• Divination: The primary focus is on prognostication (nimitta) through the observation of:
  • Body Signs and Gestures (Anga): This is the core of the science, examining movements, postures, touches, and other physical manifestations.
  • Voice and Articulation (Svara): The tone, pitch, and nature of speech during questioning.
  • Physical Marks (Lakshana): Auspicious marks on the body.
  • Moles and Other Body Signs (Vyanjana): Specific marks on the body and their interpretations.
  • Dreams (Svapana): The interpretation of dreams.
  • Wear and Tear (Chinna): The condition of objects or people.
  • Terrestrial Omens (Bhauma): Events related to the earth and its phenomena.
  • Atmospheric Omens (Antariksha): Celestial and atmospheric signs.
• Cultural and Lexicographical Value: Beyond divination, the text is a treasure trove for understanding:
  • Social and Cultural History: It details various aspects of Indian life, including customs, traditions, occupations, societal structures, and beliefs.
  • Lexicography: It presents hundreds of classified lists of words related to various subjects, making it crucial for Prakrit and Jain terminology.
  • Ancient Indian Life: It provides insights into daily life, including food, clothing, ornaments, housing, architecture, conveyances, festivals, and even medical conditions.
  • Jain Prakrit Language: The language is predominantly Maharashtri Prakrit but shows a significant influence of Jain Prakrit and Ardhamagadhi, reflecting regional linguistic variations and the impact of Jain monastic practices. The text is rich in diverse Prakrit grammatical usages, vocabulary, and evolving linguistic forms.

II. Structure and Key Chapters:

The book is organized into sixty chapters, each dealing with specific aspects of prognostication or related knowledge. Some of the prominent chapters and their themes include:

• Early Chapters (1-7): Focus on the origin (Angautpatti), essence (Swarup), disciple selection and training (Sishyopadhyapan), glorification (Anga-sthav), and praise of divine beings (Mani-sthav). It also lays down principles for observation and prognosis (Adharana, Vyakarana-upadesha).
• Bhumikarma Adhyaya (Chapter 8): This extensive chapter, divided into numerous "patals," deals with various magical incantations and methods for attaining divine knowledge and successfully practicing divination. It describes numerous postures and actions related to sitting, standing, and gestures.
• Angamani (Chapter 9): This chapter is dedicated to magical formulas and lists numerous items of interest (270 in total), covering various aspects of human life, including detailed classifications of body parts, flora, fauna, deities, and cultural items.
• Later Chapters (10-60): These chapters delve into specific predictive themes based on various observations and circumstances:
  • Arrival (Agama, Chapter 10): Prognostication based on the arrival of the questioner and their demeanor.
  • Questions (Prashta, Chapter 13): The manner of asking questions and its predictive significance.
  • Laughter (Hasita, Chapter 12): Different types of laughter and their interpretations.
  • Salutation ( Vandita, Chapter 14): The manner and direction of salutation.
  • Conversation (Samalapa, Chapter 15): The content and style of conversation.
  • Types of Movement (Prachalita, Chapter 23), Yawning (Jrmbhita, Chapter 24), Speech (Jalpa, Chapter 25): Analyzing various physical actions and their implications.
  • Classification of Body Parts (Anga-nama, Chapter 9): This chapter is particularly extensive, categorizing body parts in detail, often based on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and other characteristics.
  • Materials and Objects: The text lists and describes numerous objects, including:
    • Textiles: Varieties of fabrics, their materials, and qualities.
    • Ornaments: A detailed catalog of jewelry, including headwear, earrings, necklaces, armlets, and anklets, often reflecting the art and culture of the Kushana period.
    • Utensils: A wide array of pots, bowls, and storage jars, with descriptions that aid in archaeological identification.
    • Coins: The text mentions several types of coins, such as Suvanna-masaka, Rajata-masaka, Dinara-masaka, Nana-masaka, Kahapana, Khattapaka, Purana, and Statera, providing valuable numismatic data from the period.
    • Conveyances: Lists of various modes of transport, including palanquins, chariots, and boats, with specific names that align with archaeological findings (e.g., Kottimba, Trappaga).
    • Food and Drink: Detailed lists of cereals, food preparations, and various types of liquors and wines.
    • Architecture: Numerous terms related to houses, buildings, rooms, courtyards, walls, columns, and city layouts.
    • Flora and Fauna: Names of various trees, plants, flowers, fruits, as well as animals, birds, and aquatic creatures.
    • Deities and Spirits: Mentions of various gods and goddesses, including those from Jain traditions as well as influences from other contemporary belief systems (e.g., Greek goddesses).
  • Specific Chapters: Chapters on Time (Kala, Chapter 59), Treasures (Nidhana, Chapter 55), and various types of gestures and conditions (e.g., moods like anger, happiness; conditions like strength, weakness; directions of movement) are particularly noteworthy for their detailed classifications.

III. Editorial and Publication Details:

• Critical Edition: The text was critically edited by Muni Shri Punyavijayaji, a respected scholar of Prakrit language and literature.
• Publisher: The Prakrit Text Society, Ahmedabad, undertook the publication.
• Date of Publication: The first edition was published in 1957 CE (Vikram Samvat 2056), and a second reprint was released in 2000 CE (Vikram Samvat 2056).
• Support: The publication received support from various governments and trusts, highlighting its academic importance.
• Dedication: The first edition was dedicated to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India and a patron of Indian literature.

IV. Key Insights from the Introduction and Preface:

• Praise and Condemnation: Despite its historical prevalence, Angavidya was often condemned by religious traditions like Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Jainism itself. However, the text's survival and subsequent publication demonstrate its enduring appeal and the belief in its predictive capabilities.
• Detailed Descriptions: The introductions by Vasudeva Sharan Agrawal and Moti Chandra highlight the encyclopedic nature of the work, emphasizing its detailed descriptions of various aspects of Indian life, from common objects to complex societal practices.
• Scholarly Effort: The preface by H. C. Bhayani acknowledges the immense effort of Muni Punyavijayaji in preparing the critical edition of this difficult Prakrit text. The reprint was facilitated by Acharya VijayaShilchandrasuriji.

Significance:

The Angavijja is a foundational text for understanding ancient Indian popular beliefs, sciences (in the ancient sense), and cultural practices. Its detailed classifications and extensive vocabulary make it an indispensable resource for researchers in Indology, Prakrit studies, Jainology, and cultural history. The meticulous work of its editor and publisher has made this ancient knowledge accessible to modern scholarship.