Brief Survey Of Jaina Prakrit And Sanskrit Literature Part 2

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text from "Brief Survey of Jaina Prakrit and Sanskrit Literature Part 2" by Nalini Joshi, focusing on the periods covered in the provided pages (6th to 11th centuries CE):

The document offers a historical overview of Jaina literature, detailing the prominent writers, their works, and the subjects they addressed across different centuries. It categorizes literature by language: Jaina Sauraseni (JŚ.), Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī (JM.), Sanskrit (Skt.), and Apabhramśa (Apa.).

6th Century CE: The Dawn of Logic and Narrative

• Key Trends: This century marks the beginning of the "Anekāntayuga" in Jainism, particularly from a logical perspective. It saw the emergence of early works on logic and a significant development in narrative literature.
• Logic: Mallavadin's Dvādaśāra-naya-cakra is noted as the oldest work on Nayavāda (a doctrine of perspective). The exact dating and existence of Mallavadin are subjects of scholarly debate.
• Narratives: The prose narrative Vasudevahiṇdi, jointly authored by Samghadāsagaṇi and Dharmasenagaṇi, is highlighted as a unique and landmark work in Prakrit literature. It draws influence from the Bhagavatapurāṇa and is rich in cultural data.
• Canonical Commentaries: The Svetambara tradition saw the commencement of extensive canonical commentaries (Bhāṣyās) on Chedasūtras by Samghadāsagaṇi and Jinabhadragaṇi, aiming to codify monastic rules. Viśeṣāvasyakabhāṣya is praised for its philosophical depth, historical details, and cultural insights.
• Cosmology (Karaṇānuyoga): Works in this area were produced by both Svetambara and Digambara sects.
• Didactics and Spiritual Philosophy: Dharmadāsagaṇi's Upadeśamālā laid the foundation for didactic poetry. Jinabhadragaṇi's Dhyānaśataka is recognized as the beginning of Jaina Yoga literature.
• Eulogies (Stotras): The highly popular Sanskrit Bhaktāmara-stotra by Acārya Manatunga is attributed to this period, recited by followers of both sects.
• Overall: Works from the 6th century are considered original and important, laying groundwork for future literary developments.

7th Century CE: Sacred Language and Scholarly Foundations

• Key Trends: Ardhamāgadhī (AMg.) became a sacred language for Jains after the finalization of canonical literature. This led to the use of Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī (JM.) by Svetambara writers, influenced by AMg. The Sanskrit output saw significant advancements in logic and biography.
• Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī: The Cūrņis (short explanatory prose commentaries) on AMg. canons, Niryuktis, and Bhāṣyās gained prominence. Jinadāsagaṇi-mahattara is a key cūrṇikāra.
• Sanskrit Logic: Samantabhadra emerged as a highly prominent Digambara logician whose Nyāya works (Āptamīmāṁsā, Yuktyanuśāsana) are foundational for later scholars like Akalanka and Haribhadra. He also systematized Śrāvakācāra (householder ethics).
• Sanskrit Biography: Raviṣeṇa's Padmacarita is identified as the first Jaina Rāmāyaṇa in Sanskrit, a Sanskritization of Vimalasūri's Paumacariya. Jațāsimhanandi's Varānga-carita is another significant biography with philosophical and ethical content.
• Grammar: The Kātantra Vyākaraṇa, with a debated authorship, saw its completion in this century.
• Prognostics: Samantabhadra also authored Kevalajñāna-praśna-cūdāmaṇi on prognostics, though some scholars differentiate him from the logician Samantabhadra.
• Overall: The 7th century saw the continued sacredness of AMg. and the rise of JM. as a literary medium, alongside crucial developments in Sanskrit logic and biography, with Samantabhadra as a central figure.

8th Century CE: Flourishing of Diverse Genres and Intellectual Discourse

• Key Trends: The 8th century witnessed a remarkable variety in subjects, languages, and literary forms. Jaina authors wrote extensively on philosophy, karma, yoga, grammar, metrics, history, religious conduct, hymns, astronomy, cosmology, and canonical commentaries.
• Key Languages: JŚ., JM., Skt., and Apabhramśa were utilized. JŚ. and Apa. works were fewer, with Digambaras favoring Sanskrit over JŚ. and Apabhramśa being in its early stages.
• Sanskrit Logic: Akalanka (Digambara) is hailed as the "Father of Jaina Logic" for his systematic treatment of Pramāṇas and refutation of Buddhist logic. Haribhadra (Svetambara), a brilliant polymath, also contributed significantly to logic, emphasizing Anekāntavāda and commenting on Buddhist logician Dinnāga.
• Narratives and Encyclopedic Works: Uddyotanasūri's Kuvalayamālā is described as an encyclopedic Campūkāvya rich in historical, geographical, religious, and cultural data, considered a literary masterpiece.
• Canonical Commentaries: Commentaries on Tattvārtha continued. Aparājitā's commentary on the Digambara text Bhagavatī Ārādhanā is noted as the first Sanskrit commentary on a Digambara work.
• Apabhramśa: The Apabhramśa era began with Svayambhū's Paumacariu and Rittnemicariu, initiating the tradition of Caritas in this language.
• Newly Started Activities: This century saw the first Sanskrit commentary on a Digambara work (Bhagavatī Ārādhanā), the first Prathamānuyoga works in Apabhramśa, the first Sanskrit legendary history (Satruñjayamāhātmya), systematic discussions of Pramāṇas, the first Apabhramśa metrical work (Svayambhū-chandas), Haribhadra's new style of Sanskrit commentaries incorporating Prakrit stories, and Haribhadra's satirical Dhuttakkhāṇa.
• Overall: The 8th century was a period of intellectual ferment and literary diversification, with Akalanka, Haribhadra, Svayambhū, and Uddyotana being particularly impactful.

9th Century CE: Proliferation of Commentaries and Classical Literature

• Key Trends: While the number of authors increased, the total number of works was less than the previous century. Sanskrit literature saw a significant increase in both quantity and variety.
• Jaina Sauraseni: Two monumental JŚ. works, Satkhaṇḍāgama and Kaṣāyaprābhrta, were the sourcebooks for Digambara writers. Vīrasena and Jinasena produced massive JŚ. commentaries on these works, crucial for philosophical and doctrinal discussions, especially on karma.
• Sanskrit Literature: Bappabhaṭṭi is noted as a significant historical figure. Vidyānanda and Anantavīrya continued the tradition of Nyāya works, with Vidyānanda's commentary on Tattvārtha (Tattvārthaślokavārtika) being highly revered.
• Canonical Commentaries: Śīlānka initiated the practice of writing Ardhamāgadhī canonical commentaries in Sanskrit, which were essential for understanding texts like Ācārānga and Sūtrakaṛtāṅga.
• Lexicography: Dhananjaya's Sanskrit lexical works were important and represented the first of their kind.
• Epic and Poetry: Jinasena, a Digambara poet, wrote Pārsvābhyudaya, a Samasyāpūrti (completion of verses) work based on Meghadūta, pioneering classical Sanskrit writings in Jainism.
• Mathematics: Mahāvīrācārya's Gaṇitasārasamgraha is a highly regarded work on mathematics.
• Patronage: Many Sanskrit works by Digambara writers like Jinasena, Mahāvīrācārya, Guṇabhadra, and Śākaṭāyana were patronized by the Raṣṭrakūṭa king Amoghavarṣa.
• Apabhramśa: Apabhramśa began to flourish as a literary language from the 10th century onwards, with few works in this century.
• Overall: The 9th century was characterized by extensive commentary writing, the rise of classical Sanskrit literature within Jainism, and significant contributions to mathematics, all fostered by royal patronage.

10th Century CE: Shift Towards Classical Literature and Apabhramśa

• Key Trends: Sanskrit works were abundant, while JM. and Apa. works were fewer. JŚ. works were scarce, primarily by Devasena. There was a noticeable decline in religious, philosophical, and Nyāya works, and an increasing inclination towards classical literature.
• Jaina Sauraseni: Devasena produced works like Laghu-naya-cakra and Bhāva-samgraha on logic and philosophy. Jayapāhuda continued the astronomical tradition. Brhannayacakra and Laghunayacakra are noted as significant logic works in JŚ.
• Digambara Literature in JŚ.: The focus was consistently on philosophical, doctrinal, and astronomical subjects. Classical literature like epics and biographies was absent, attributed to Digambaras' genuine interest in spiritual reflection and their Southern Indian origins which may have influenced their linguistic choices.
• Sanskrit Literature: Works by Dhanapāla (Tilakamañjarī), Somadeva (Yaśastilaka-campū), and Hariṣeṇa (Brhatkathākoṣa) are highly revered in both Jaina and non-Jaina circles, holding important positions in Indian Sanskrit literature. Jayasena's commentaries on Kundakunda's works are also notable.
• Apabhramśa: This century saw vigorous writing in Apabhramśa by Digambara authors like Puṣpadanta, Hariṣeṇa, Padmakīrti, Devasena, and Dhanapāla, producing Purāṇas, Caritas, and narratives, which became the Prathamānuyoga literature for Digambaras.
• Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī: Devendra, Dhanapāla, Nanditādhya, and Pradyumna were key writers. Nanditādhya's Gahālakkhaņa is the first work on Metrics in JM. Devendra's narrative of Kālaka gained significant popularity.
• Dhanapāla: The presence of multiple Dhanapālas is noted, with one Svetambara Brahmin author writing in Sanskrit and JM., and a Digambara author writing in Apabhramśa.
• Overall: The 10th century marked a transition, with a decline in traditional religious and philosophical works and a rise in classical genres, particularly in Sanskrit and Apabhramśa, reflecting a shift in literary focus.

11th Century CE: Scholarly Achievements and Diverse Contributions

• Key Trends: The 11th century saw contributions across JŚ., JM., Skt., and Apabhramśa, with Skt. works being numerous and diverse. Digambara authors produced valuable treatises in JŚ. (philosophy, cosmology), particularly in Karnatak under Ganga dynasty patronage. Svetambara authors continued their JM. writings enthusiastically.
• Jaina Sauraseni: Digambara authors like Nemicandra (Siddhānta-cakravartin) produced significant philosophical works in JŚ. Cāmundarāya's commentary on Gommaṭasāra in Kannada is one of the oldest Kannada texts.
• Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī: JM. works primarily consisted of Caritas, Narratives, and Prakaraņas, with a lack of philosophical and logical works. Collections of didactic narratives were compiled in JM., Skt., and Apabhramśa.
• Sanskrit Literature: Abhayadeva was a versatile figure, renowned as 'Navāngi Ṭīkākāra' for his commentaries on nine Anga canons and an Upānga. Prabhācandra, a Digambara logician, is credited with initiating the "Pramāna-yuga" through his logical works and commentaries. Śubhacandra's Jñānārṇava is an encyclopedic work on Jaina philosophy, ethics, and yoga. Amitagati was a prolific Digambara author contributing to householder/monastic conduct, rituals, karma theory, yoga, and satire. Kṛṣṇamiśra's Prabodhacandrodaya is noted as the first Sanskrit drama by a Jaina writer.
• Apabhramśa: Apa. works were relatively fewer, mostly biographies and narratives. Śrīcandra's Kahakosu was based on stories related to Bhagavatī Ārādliană.
• Commentaries and Scholarship: Two notable commentaries on Uttarādhyayana were produced. Nemicandra's (Devendra's) "Sukhabodha" is distinct due to its Jaina Mahārāṣṭrī narratives. Prabhācandra's commentaries on logical and grammatical works are highly significant. Mallisena's ritualistic works suggest a new mode of deity worship. Nayanandi's work in Apabhramśa paved the way for later Bhattarakas' ritualistic writings. Namisādhu commented on Rudrata's Kāvyālaṅkāra. Maheśvarasūri's Jñānapañcamīkathā started the tradition of Vratakathas.
• Overall: The 11th century was marked by strong scholarly output, particularly from Digambara authors like Nemicandra, Amitagati, and Prabhācandra, and Svetambara figures like Abhayadeva and Nemicandra (Devendragaṇi). The activities of the Kharatara Gaccha also began in this period.