Chandonushasan - Book Summary | JainGPT

Certainly! Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chandonushasan" by Acharya Hemchandracharya, based on the provided pages.

Book Title: Chandonushasan Author(s): Acharya Hemchandracharya (with commentary by Hemchandracharya himself and others), Edited by Prof. H. D. Velankar Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith, Mumbai Series: Singhi Jain Series (Jain Canonical, Philosophical, Historical, Literary, Narrative and Other Works in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha and Old Rajasthani. Gujarati languages, and of New Studies by Competent Research Scholars) Volume No.: 49 Year of Publication: Vikram Samvat 2017 (1961 AD) First Edition

Overview:

"Chandonushasan" by the renowned Jain scholar Acharya Hemchandracharya is a seminal and comprehensive treatise on Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha prosody (the study of metrical verse). It is considered a foundational text in Indian literature for its detailed analysis and classification of metrical patterns. The edition provided is a critical one, featuring Hemchandracharya's own commentary (Chandaścūḍāmaṇi), an anonymous commentary (Paryāya), various textual readings, appendices, and extensive indices.

Key Aspects and Content Summary:

The book is structured into several chapters, each delving into specific aspects of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha prosody. The provided pages offer a glimpse into the preface, introduction, and the initial chapters, outlining the scope and depth of the work.

1. Introduction and Publisher's Note (Pages 1-7):

Establishment and Purpose: The Singhi Jain Granthamala was established in the sacred memory of the saintly Seth Shri Dalchandji Singhi of Calcutta, by his son Shri Bahadur Singh Singhi. Its purpose is to publish important Jain works in various languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha, Old Gujarati, and Rajasthani, along with new research literature.
The Work: "Chandonushasan" of Hemchandrasuri is described as a comprehensive treatise on Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa prosody.
Editorial Efforts: The publication highlights the collaborative efforts, including the general editor Acharya Jinavijaya Muni and the editor Prof. H. D. Velankar, who is praised for his profound scholarship in prosody.
Significance: The text is recognized as the most complete and exhaustive work on prosody available, particularly noteworthy for its coverage of Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres, which lacked specialized treatises before its publication.
Historical Context: The introduction traces the origin and development of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa metres, discussing the influence of Vedic metres, the evolution of Varna Vrttas, and the advent of Mātrā Vrttas. It also touches upon the historical usage of these metres in dramas and classical poetry.
Funding: The publication received financial support from the Government of India, for which the publishers express their gratitude.

2. Introduction by Prof. H. D. Velankar (Pages 15-63): This extensive introduction sets the stage for the critical edition. Key themes include:

Origin and Growth of Sanskrit Metres: Tracing the evolution from Vedic metres to classical Sanskrit metres, emphasizing the concept of Varna-sangīta (musicality based on alternation of short and long syllables).
Akşara Gaņas: Discussing Pingala's system of Akşara Gaņas (syllabic groups) and the symbols used for them. It also highlights the variations introduced by authors like Jānāśrayi and Ratnamañjūṣā.
Mātrā Vrttas: Delving into the origin and necessity of Mātrā units, their role in metrical composition, and the classification of Mātrā Vrttas (Gāthā, Mātrāsamaka, Vaitālīya). It explains how these Mātrā Gaņas, particularly the Caturmātra Gaṇa, infiltrated Sanskrit prosody.
Prakrit and Apabhramsa Metres: This is a significant focus. The introduction meticulously traces the history of Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres, starting from Bharata's Nātyasāstra. It discusses:
- The early development and influence of Prakrit poetry.
- The prominent role of the Gāthā metre (Āryā in Sanskrit) and its derivatives like Gīti and Gītikā.
- The technical terms and classifications used by prosodists like Virahāṅka, Svayambhū, and Hemacandra.
- The distinct features of Prakrit and Apabhramsa poetry, including their thematic content and musicality (Tāla Sangīta).
- The adaptation of Sanskrit Varna Vrttas for Prakrit compositions.
- The influence of bardic traditions on Prakrit poetry.
- The works of key prosodists like Jānāśrayi, Virahānka (Vṛttajātisamuccaya), Svayambhū (Svayambhūchandas), Rājasekhara, Hemacandra (Chandonushāsana), Ratnasekhara (Chandahkosa), and Pingala (Prākṛta Paingala).
Hemachandra's Contribution: The introduction highlights Hemachandra's systematic approach in his Chandonushasan, covering Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa metres comprehensively and giving an independent status to Prakrit and Apabhramsa prosody.
Critical Apparatus: The introduction details the manuscripts used for the critical edition and the corrections made to the text.

3. Textual Content (Pages 65 onwards): The provided pages begin to detail the actual "Chandonushasan." The text starts with an invocation and outlines the principles of metre.

Adhyāya I (Prathama): Begins with invocation, discusses the definition of metres (Chanda), Pāda (foot of a verse), and introduces Akşara Gaņas (syllabic groups like ga, la, ja, etc.) and their classification. It lays down rules for assigning length (laghu and guru) to letters, including variations based on context (yati) and phonetic rules.
Adhyāya II (Dvitīya): This chapter focuses on Vrtta (metres based on syllables) and Jāti (metres based on Mātrās). It elaborates on various Varna Vrttas such as Sama, Ardhasama, and Vişama metres, providing detailed descriptions and examples. It also covers a wide array of Mātrā Vrttas, including those derived from the Gāthā and Gīti, and other popular Prakrit metres. The intricacies of Yati (pause) and Prastāra (metrical enumeration) are also discussed.
Adhyāya III (Tr̥tīya): This section shifts focus to Ardhasama Vrttas (metres where pādas are not of equal length or structure) and Vişama Vrttas (metres where pādas are unequal and varied). It details metres like Vaktra, Pathyā, Vipulā, Chapalā, Galita, Nirḍhāyikā, Narkuṭaka, Ādhikākṣarā, Śīrşaka, and various others. The introduction to the Prakrit section within Jānāśrayī (starting from page 305 of the provided text) further elaborates on the metrical landscape of Prakrit literature, discussing specific metres like Gītikā, Galita, Khañjaka, Sirsaka, Dvipadi, and Rāsaka.
Adhyāya IV (Caturtha): This chapter deals extensively with Mātrā Vrttas, particularly those prevalent in Prakrit and Apabhramśa. It details metres such as Gāthā (Aryā), Gīti, Upagīti, Gitikā, Galitaka, Khañjaka, Śīrşaka, Dvipadi, and Rāsaka with their intricate subdivisions and examples. The author meticulously explains the Mātrā-based classification and the technical terminology associated with these metres.
Adhyāya V (Pañcama): This chapter continues the exploration of Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres, discussing metres such as Utsāha, Rāsaka, Dvipadi, Paddhatikā, Vadanaka, Dhavala, Mangala, Phulladaka, Jhambataka, Prahelika, etc. It highlights the evolution of Prakrit poetry and the influence of Apabhramśa on it.
Adhyāya VI (Sashtha): This chapter deals with Şaṭpadī (six-lined verses) and Catuşpadī (four-lined verses), detailing various forms and their classifications. It also discusses Dhruvā and Chaddanikā, terms used for verses that are recited or sung repeatedly, often at the beginning of a canto (Sandhi) or the end of a section (Kadavaka).
Adhyāya VII (Saptama): This chapter focuses on Dvipadi metres, categorizing them based on the number of Mātrās and Gaņas. It describes metres like Karpūra, Kunkuma, Gitikā, Galitaka, Nirdhāyikā, Narkuṭaka, Adhikākṣarā, Śīrşaka, Dvipadī, and Rāsaka in detail, as found in Jānāśrayī.
Parisişṭam (Appendix): This section provides the critical text of a portion of the Jānāśrayī, specifically on Prakrit metres, with an introductory note and English translation, highlighting its significance for understanding Prakrit prosody and its relationship with Hemachandra's work.
Adhyāya VIII (Aṣṭama): This final chapter deals with Prastāra (metrical enumeration), Naṣṭa (finding the metre given a sequence of syllables), Uddiṣṭa (finding the sequence given the metre), Saṅkhyā (counting metrical patterns), and Adhva-yoga (metrical path/journey). It provides technical explanations and formulae for these concepts.

Significance:

Acharya Hemchandracharya's "Chandonushasan" is a monumental work that systematized and preserved the vast knowledge of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha prosody. Its critical edition by Prof. H. D. Velankar, published by Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith, makes this invaluable text accessible to scholars and researchers, contributing significantly to the study of Indian classical literature and linguistics. The book's comprehensive nature, including its detailed introduction and appendices on related works like Jānāśrayī, makes it an indispensable resource for understanding the metrical traditions of ancient India.

This summary aims to provide a broad understanding of the "Chandonushasan" based on the provided pages, emphasizing its scope, significance, and the editorial efforts involved.