Bruhat Kalpsutra Bhashya Ek Sanskritik Adhyayan - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary outlines the key aspects of the Jain text "Bruhat Kalpsutra Bhashya: Ek Sanskritik Adhyayan" (A Cultural Study of the Bruhat Kalpsutra Bhashya) by Dr. Mahendra Pratap Singh, published by Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. The book is a detailed analysis of the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya, a significant commentary on the Jain Kalpa Sutra, focusing on its cultural insights.

Book Overview:

Title: Bruhat Kalpsutra Bhashya: Ek Sanskritik Adhyayan (बृहत्कल्पसूत्रभाष्य: एक सांस्कृतिक अध्ययन)
Author: Dr. Mahendra Pratap Singh
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi
Publication Year: 2009
ISBN: 81-86715-96-8
Price: ₹ 250

Key Themes and Content:

The study is a Ph.D. dissertation by Dr. Mahendra Pratap Singh, offering an in-depth cultural analysis of the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya, a vast commentary by Sanghadasa Gani on the Kalpa Sutra. This work is notable for being the first independent study of this extensive text, which comprises 6490 verses and comments on 250 sutras.

The book systematically explores various facets of ancient Indian life as depicted in the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya:

Introduction:
- Discusses the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra as a significant text on Jain conduct, originally composed by Bhadrabahu I.
- Highlights the importance of chedasutras (texts dealing with monastic discipline and conduct) within Jain Agamas.
- Introduces Sanghadasa Gani as the commentator and the scale of his Bhashya (commentary).
- Mentions the lineage of commentaries and translations on the Kalpa Sutra.
- Briefly touches upon the structure and content of the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya.
Geographical Material:
- Details the geographical references found in the text, including janapadas (regions/kingdoms), cities, villages, mountains, and rivers.
- Identifies regions like Surashtra, Avanti, Koshala, Sindh-Sauvira, Shurasena, and Nepal.
- Mentions significant cities such as Mathura, Ujjain, Anandpur, Bhrigukachha, Shurparaka, Tamralipti, and Tosali.
- Lists mountains like Ujjayant (Girnar) and Arbuda (Abu), and rivers like Ganga, Iravati, and Godavari.
- Provides insights into the settlement patterns, indicating the existence of various types of villages.
Social Life:
- Analyzes the social structure, including the varna and jati system, though with a Jain perspective that emphasizes Arya and Anarya classifications over the traditional four varnas.
- Discusses the roles of Brahmins and Kshatriyas, noting that all Jain Tirthankaras belonged to the Kshatriya lineage.
- Explains the significance of Vaishyas in commerce and trade, though their direct mention is limited, their activities are inferred from descriptions of economic life.
- Touches upon the concept of Shudras and untouchables, noting the general absence of explicit references to them in this specific Jain text compared to some contemporary ones, possibly due to Jainism's inclusive approach.
- Examines marriage customs, including svayamvara (self-choice of groom) and gandharva (love marriage) types, and even discusses taboo practices like sibling marriage in certain contexts.
- Explores the status of women, highlighting their roles, restrictions (like prohibition from studying the Drishtivada scripture), and their relative societal standing.
- Details the prevalence of the master-slave (das-pratha) system and its implications.
- Provides information on food and drink, including various grains, fruits, and beverages.
- Describes customs, rituals, clothing, ornaments, and entertainment activities.
- Discusses medical practices and healing methods.
Economic Life:
- Covers agricultural practices, tools, irrigation methods, and the types of crops cultivated, such as rice, sugarcane, and cotton.
- Details animal husbandry and its importance.
- Explores commerce and trade, the role of merchant guilds (sarthavahas), trade routes (land and water), and the movement of goods.
- Discusses various industries, including textiles, woodcraft, painting, leatherwork, cosmetics, and metalwork.
- Highlights the use of currency and various types of coins, including Ruvaka and Kevadaka.
Political Life:
- Examines the administrative structure and governance of the time, including the nature of states and kingdoms.
- Discusses the role of the king, succession, and the functioning of the royal court and administration.
- Details the judicial system, military organization (chariot, elephant, horse, infantry forces), and revenue system (taxation).
- Mentions different types of states, such as anarchical states, viceroyalties, and states under enemy occupation.
Religious Life:
- Discusses the Jain monastic order (sangha), including the rules for monks and nuns regarding initiation, food, clothing, and daily routines.
- Covers aspects of monastic movement (vihar-yatra), vows (sheel), funeral rites, and the worship of various deities and spirits (Indra, Yaksha, Bhuta, Skanda, Shiva, Van-devata, Kul-devata).
- Describes various festivals and observances.
- Provides insights into the practices of religious mendicancy and asceticism.
Art and Architecture:
- Explores the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture prevalent during the period.
- Details different types of paintings (wall paintings, portraiture) and their themes.
- Discusses the construction of religious buildings, including chaityas and stupas, and defensive structures like ramparts.
- Highlights the significance of music and dance in social and religious life.
Conclusion:
- Summarizes the findings, emphasizing the book's contribution to understanding the cultural milieu of ancient India through the lens of Jain texts.
- Reiterates the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya's importance as a source for historical and cultural research.
- Acknowledges the scholarly efforts of previous researchers like Dr. Motichandra and Dr. Madhu Sen who utilized aspects of this text.
- Highlights the vastness of the cultural information embedded in the Bhashya, which has been systematically analyzed in this study.

Overall Significance:

"Bruhat Kalpsutra Bhashya: Ek Sanskritik Adhyayan" is a significant academic work that makes the rich cultural data within the Bruhat Kalpa Sutra Bhashya accessible. It serves as a crucial reference for scholars interested in Jainism, ancient Indian history, society, economy, politics, religion, and arts. The study provides a detailed snapshot of life and practices in ancient India as interpreted through the rigorous commentary of Sanghadasa Gani on the Jain monastic code.