Aptamimansa Pramanpariksha

This document appears to be the introductory material for a Jain text titled Aptamimansa Pramanpariksha (आप्तमीमांसा प्रमाणपरीक्षा). Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

1. Title and Authorship:

• Book Title: Aptamimansa Pramanpariksha (आप्तमीमांसा प्रमाणपरीक्षा)
• Primary Author of Aptamimansa: Shrimat Samantabhadracharya (श्रीमत्समंतभद्रस्वामी)
• Author/Commentator of Aptamimansa (commentary): Shriyud Pandit Vidyānandasvāmī (स्याद्वादविद्यापतिश्रीविद्यानंदस्वामिविरचिता)
• Editor: Shriyut Pandit Gajadarlal Jain, Nyayashastri (न्यायशास्त्री श्रीयुत पंडित गजाधरलाल जैन)
• Publisher: Bharatiya Jain Siddhant Prakashini Sanstha, Kashi (काशीस्थ-भारतीयजैनसिद्धांतप्रकाशिनी संस्था)
• Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/090055/1

2. Publication Details:

• Publication Year: 1914 AD (Shri Vir Nirvana Samvat 2400)
• Edition: First Edition (प्रथमसंस्करण)
• Price: One Rupee (एक रूप्यक)
• Printing Press: Krishna Yantralaya, Kashi (काशीस्थ-कृष्णयंत्रालये) and Chandaprabha Namni Yantralaya, Kashi (चंद्रप्रभानाम्नि यंत्रालये)
• Published By: Pandit Pannalal Jain Bakaliwal, Secretary Bharatiya Jain Siddhant Prakashini Sanstha, Benares City.
• Printed By: Babu Gauri Shankar Lal, Manager Chandaprabha Press, Benares City.

3. Dedication:

• The publication is dedicated to the memory of Balchandra Gandhi, son of Kastur Chandra Gandhi, resident of Osmanabad, Hyderabad Province (हैदराबाद प्रांतस्थ-उस्मानाबाद निवासिगांधीकस्तूरचंद्रस्यात्मज-बालचंद्रस्य स्मरणार्थं).

4. Introduction (Prastavna - प्रस्तावना):

• The introduction, likely written by the editor Pandit Gajadarlal Jain, expresses the purpose of publishing these two important Jain texts.
• Aptamimansa (आप्तमीमांसा): It is described as being enriched with two profound commentaries (वृत्तयष्टशती - Vrittyashtashati, and another unnamed commentary). It's also mentioned that Aptamimansa is another name for Devāgama Stotra (देवागमस्तोत्रस्यैवापरामिधा). It's noted that Aptamimansa was originally part of Gandhahasti Mahābhāṣya (गंधहस्तिमहाभाष्यस्य मंगलाचरणं). The Aptamimansa itself is a commentary on the Ātmārthasiddhi (आत्मार्थसिद्धि) by Umāsvāmī.
• Pramana Pariksha (प्रमाणपरीक्षा): This is another significant text presented in the same volume, focused on understanding the nature of valid knowledge (pramāṇa).
• About Samantabhadracharya: The author of Aptamimansa, Samantabhadracharya, is described as a great āchārya and a master of rhetoric (कविवेधस). His precise time period is uncertain, with some traditions placing him in the 6th century CE and others in the 1st century CE. He is renowned for his profound works and ability to refute opposing viewpoints. Several of his other works are listed, including Devāgama Stotra, Tattvānushasana, Yuktānushasana, etc.
• About Vidyānandasvāmī: The commentator of Aptamimansa and author of Pramana Pariksha, Vidyānandasvāmī, is praised as a scholar of Syādvāda (स्याद्वादविद्यापति) and a master of logic and reasoning. His identity as the author of Pramana Pariksha is confirmed by references to his other works and his distinctive use of the name "Vidyānanda."
• Editing Process: The editor expresses the significant effort involved in compiling these texts, especially Aptamimansa, due to the difficulty in obtaining and the textual variations of the manuscripts. He acknowledges the help of Pandit Nathuramji and Pandit Umrao Singhji. He humbly seeks forgiveness for any errors that may have crept in during the arduous editing process.
• Personal Note: The editor dedicates the volume to his deceased friend Devaraj, recalling their shared interest in the text.

5. Content Overview (from the "Vishayanukramanika" - विषयानुक्रमणिका):

The detailed index outlines the vast philosophical and logical scope of the works, particularly focusing on the Syādvāda (Seven-valued logic) doctrine and refutations of various non-Jain philosophical schools. The topics covered include:

• Aptamimansa: Discussion of the nature of an "āpta" (a perfectly reliable authority), the validity of proofs (pramāṇa), refutation of monistic (advaita) and dualistic (dvaita) eternalism and momentaryism, the concept of non-absolutism (anekānta), the nature of reality, and the interdependence of concepts.
• Pramana Pariksha: Detailed examination of different types of knowledge (pramāṇa), including perception (pratyaksha) and inference (anumāna). It delves into the nuances of knowledge, the senses, the mind, the nature of reality as understood through different perspectives (naya), the validity of arguments, and the refutation of opposing epistemological views.

In essence, this publication aims to provide scholars and practitioners with critical Jain philosophical and logical treatises that establish the validity of Jain teachings through rigorous debate and reasoning, emphasizing the Syādvāda perspective as the ultimate truth.