Bhavanasar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about "Bhavanasar" (a commentary on Dravyasamgraha), translated into English:

The text describes Bhavanasar, a commentary on the 11th-century philosophical work Dravyasamgraha by Acharya Nemichandra Siddhant Dev. Dravyasamgraha, written in Shauraseni Prakrit, is a concise yet profound philosophical treatise that encapsulates the fundamental principles of Jainism, particularly its metaphysics. It is comprised of just 58 verses, divided into three main sections and further subdivided into sub-sections.

Structure of Dravyasamgraha:

• First Section: Contains three sub-sections and twenty-seven verses.
  • The first sub-section (14 verses) deals with the nature of the Jiva (soul).
  • The second sub-section (8 verses, from 15th to 22nd) discusses the five Ajiva (non-soul) substances: Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time).
  • The third sub-section (5 verses, 23-27) concludes this section by explaining the nature of the five Astikayas (corporeal substances), the definition of an Astikaya, the regions (pradesha) of the six substances, the characteristic of a region, and the reason why time is not considered an Astikaya.
• Second Section: Comprises eleven verses that describe the seven Tattvas (realities), including Jiva and Ajiva, as well as the nine Padarthas (substances/categories), which include the Tattvas plus concepts like sin and merit.
• Third Section: Contains twenty verses, divided into two sub-sections. This section elaborates on the Nishcaya (ultimate) and Vyavahara (conventional) paths to liberation, focusing on right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct. It also discusses the nature of meditation and the five supreme beings (Panche Parameshthi): Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu.

In essence, Dravyasamgraha is considered a distilled essence of the entire Jain Agamas, often metaphorically described as fitting the ocean of scriptures into a pitcher. Its brevity and depth make it highly significant in the Digambara Jain tradition.

The Commentary "Bhavanasar":

The significance of Dravyasamgraha is evident from the numerous commentaries written on it in various languages like Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, and English. The earliest known Sanskrit commentary was written by Acharya Brahmadeva (1260-1323 CE).

This text specifically highlights a Kannada commentary titled "Bhavanasar" written by Puttayya Swami before the 15th century. This ancient Kannada commentary, approximately 3000 verses in length, was preserved on 42 palm leaves in a manuscript library in Delhi.

The main focus of the article is the Hindi translation of this Bhavanasar commentary by Acharya Ratna Shri Deshbhushanji Maharaj. Acharya Deshbhushanji is described as a great Jain scholar, translator, editor, and a highly accomplished ascetic, proficient in multiple languages.

Key Features of Shri Deshbhushanji's Hindi Translation of Bhavanasar:

1. Comprehensive Introduction: The translation includes 24 introductory pages covering a detailed and authentic discussion on the nature of the book, the definition of a sutra, the characteristics of the Vitaraga (one free from passions), true deities, the purpose of auspicious beginnings, and their types, citing ancient texts.
2. Detailed Verse Explanation: Each verse of Dravyasamgraha is first presented with its * anvaya **(syntactic analysis), followed by an elaborate explanation. Every adjective and concept is meticulously and philosophically analyzed according to scripture. Citations from ancient Jain and non-Jain philosophical texts, Puranas, and lexicons are provided with detailed explanations in Hindi to ensure thorough understanding.
3. Inclusion of English Translation: A significant feature is the inclusion of the exact English translation and commentary by Sharatchandra Ghoshal, published in 1917 by Kumar Devendra Prasad of Arrah. This dual presentation makes the commentary accessible to both Hindi and non-Hindi speakers, facilitating a wider understanding of Dravyasamgraha. The compilation of the English translation seems to be driven by a desire for the welfare of all people, enabling them to grasp the essence of Dravyasamgraha.
4. Simple and Accessible Language: The language and style of the Hindi commentary and explanation are so simple, lucid, and clear that even laypersons can study it independently. The quality of the translation suggests profound scholarship, making it hard to believe it was done by a non-native Hindi speaker from another language. This demonstrates Acharya Ratna Shri Deshbhushanji Maharaj's deep knowledge of Jain and non-Jain philosophical texts and his standing as a great philosopher.
5. Value for Researchers: The Hindi commentary of Bhavanasar is extremely valuable for researchers. Through its study and contemplation, one can gain a thorough understanding not only of Jain philosophy but also of all Indian philosophy. The text offers a comparative analysis, from an impartial perspective, of Jain philosophical concepts like anekanta (non-absolutism), syadvada (conditional predication), sarvajnavada (omniscience), metaphysics, and ethics, in relation to the principles of other Indian philosophical systems.

In conclusion, Acharya Ratna Shri Deshbhushanji Maharaj's Hindi translation of the Kannada commentary "Bhavanasar" on Dravyasamgraha has not only validated the efforts of Puttayya Swami but has also greatly benefited all those interested in studying his thoughts. Without this Hindi translation, the Hindi-speaking community would have been deprived of its benefits. The article emphasizes that this translation is considered the most useful and excellent commentary on Dravyasamgraha to date, and Acharya Deshbhushanji's Hindi translation is wholeheartedly commendable in all respects.