Bharatiya Tattvagyan

This document is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Bharatiya Tattvagyan" (Indian Philosophy), authored by Nagin J. Shah and published by the 108 Jain Tirth Darshan Bhavan Trust. The text itself is a Gujarati translation of "Sad Darshan Samuccaya" (A Compendium of Six Philosophies) by Acharya Haribhadrasuri, along with its commentary "Tark Rahasya Deepika" by Acharya Gunaratnasuri.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

1. Title and Authorship:

• Book Title: Bharatiya Tattvagyan (ભારતીય તત્ત્વજ્ઞાન) - Indian Philosophy
• Author of the Gujarati Translation: Dr. Nagin J. Shah
• Original Text: Sad Darshan Samuccaya (ષડ્દર્શનસમુચ્ચય) by Acharya Haribhadrasuri
• Commentary: Tark Rahasya Deepika (તર્કરહસ્યદીપિકા) by Acharya Gunaratnasuri
• Publisher: Shri 108 Jain Tirth Darshan Bhavan Trust

2. Core Content:

The book is a Gujarati translation and commentary on Acharya Haribhadrasuri's Sad Darshan Samuccaya, a foundational Jain text that provides a comparative overview of the major Indian philosophical schools prevalent during his time. Acharya Gunaratnasuri's commentary, Tark Rahasya Deepika, further elucidates the original text. Dr. Nagin J. Shah's translation and commentary are highly valued for their clarity, depth, and the extensive research that went into them, including detailed introductions and appendices on Indian and non-Indian philosophical traditions.

3. Key Figures and Their Contributions:

• Acharya Haribhadrasuri (c. 8th Century CE): A prominent Jain scholar, poet, and philosopher. He is renowned for his extensive literary output (claimed to be 1444 works) and for being one of the first to provide Sanskrit commentaries on Jain Agamas. He also made significant contributions to the study of Yoga and integrated knowledge from Vedic and non-Vedic traditions. His Sad Darshan Samuccaya is a notable work for its unbiased presentation of various Indian philosophical systems, and his Shastra Varta Samuccaya offers critiques from a Jain perspective.
• Acharya Gunaratnasuri: The commentator on Sad Darshan Samuccaya. His commentary, Tark Rahasya Deepika, is praised for its detailed analysis, critique, and logical reasoning. He lived around the 15th century CE.
• Dr. Nagin J. Shah: The translator and likely the author of the extensive introduction and appendices for this specific publication. He is recognized for making ancient Indian philosophical texts accessible through his clear and insightful Gujarati translations.

4. Structure and Scope of the Text:

The book, as indicated by the Table of Contents and the detailed description of each philosophical school, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of:

• Introduction to Indian Philosophy: It sets the stage by discussing the meaning of 'Darshan' (philosophy/viewpoint) and the scope of philosophical inquiry.
• Compilation of Indian Philosophical Schools (Darshanas): The Sad Darshan Samuccaya (and its commentary) systematically presents and analyzes eighteen major Indian philosophical schools. These include:
  • Materialist (Charvak) Philosophy
  • Jain Philosophy
  • Various Schools of Buddhist Philosophy (Theravada, Sarvastivada, Sautrantika, Vijnanavada, Shunyata, Bauddha Nyayavada)
  • Orthodox Vedic Schools (Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Vedanta - with various sub-schools like Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita, etc.)
  • Kashmiri Shaivism
• Characteristics and Critiques of Indian Philosophy: The text delves into the defining features of Indian philosophy, addresses common criticisms leveled against it, and explores potential relationships between Greek and Indian philosophical thought.
• Detailed Analysis of Each School: The core of the book comprises detailed explanations of the doctrines, deities, principles, epistemologies (pramanas), and metaphysical concepts of each philosophical system, presented in the order they appear in Haribhadrasuri's original work.
• Commentary's Contribution: Gunaratnasuri's commentary is noted for its depth, detailed critiques, and its attempt to show the superiority of Jain philosophy.
• Translations and Other Works: The preface also mentions previous Italian, English, and Hindi translations of Sad Darshan Samuccaya, as well as other commentaries and related Jain texts, highlighting the scholarly tradition surrounding this work.
• Historical Context: The text places Acharya Haribhadrasuri and Acharya Gunaratnasuri within their historical and intellectual contexts, acknowledging the influences and debates of their times.

5. Significance:

This publication serves as a valuable resource for understanding the diverse landscape of Indian philosophy from a Jain perspective. It highlights the Jain tradition's engagement with and critical analysis of other major philosophical systems, emphasizing the intellectual vibrancy and syncretic nature of Indian thought. The work also underscores the Jain commitment to presenting truth and understanding from multiple viewpoints (anekantavada). Dr. Nagin J. Shah's effort in translating and publishing this work is recognized for its contribution to Jain and Indian scholarship.