Digambar Jain Puran Sahitya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Digambar Jain Puran Sahitya" by Pannalal Jain, focusing on the key points discussed:

The text, "Digambar Jain Puran Sahitya" by Pannalal Jain, explores the nature, characteristics, and significant works within Jain Puranic literature, contrasting it with non-Jain Puranic traditions.

1. Defining Puran:

• The term "Puran" in Indian religious texts is often associated with history.
• While both "Itivritta" (historical account) and Puran deal with events, Puran goes beyond mere factual narration.
• Puran describes the lives of great personalities, detailing the consequences of their actions (merit and demerit), and incorporates moral and religious teachings for character building.
• Unlike Itivritta which focuses on present events, Puran includes the past and future of its protagonists to illustrate how individuals can achieve greatness through sacrifice and penance, moving from a fallen state to an elevated one. This emphasis on inspirational biography makes Puran highly revered by the common people.

2. Non-Jain Puranic Literature:

• Non-Jain societies have an extensive Puranic literature, traditionally categorized into 18 Mahapuranas (e.g., Matsya, Markandeya, Bhagavata, Vishnu, Shiva, etc.).
• The Garudapurana mentions 18 Upapuranas (e.g., Sanatkumara, Narasingha, Skanda, etc.).
• Other Puranas like Ganesha, Maudgalya, Devi, and Kalki are also available.
• Scholars estimate that many modern Puranas were composed between 300 and 800 CE.

3. Jain Puranic Literature:

• Jain literature does not have a strict categorization of Mahapuranas and Upapuranas like non-Jain traditions.
• However, from a numerical perspective, Jain literature contains a vast number of Puranic works, especially when considering the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartis, 9 Narayan, 9 Pratinarayan, and 9 Balabhadras.
• A significant characteristic of Jain Puranas is their greater adherence to historical accuracy compared to other Puranic traditions. This makes Jain Puranas invaluable for understanding ancient Indian history and circumstances.
• The author provides a list of significant Digambar Jain Puranas, including:
  • Padma Purana (Padma Charita) by Ravishēṇa (705 CE)
  • Mahapurana (Adi Purana) by Jinasēna and Guṇabhadra (9th century CE)
  • Uttar Purana by Guṇabhadra
  • Harivansha Purana by Jinasēna of Punnata Sangha (705 Shak Samvat / 840 Vikram Samvat)
  • Other Puranas like Ajita Purana, Karnaamruta Purana, Jayakumar Purana, Chandrabhra Purana, Chamunda Purana, Dharma Natha Purana, Nemi Natha Purana, Padma Natha Purana, Paum Chariya (Apabhramsha), Pandava Purana, Parshva Purana, Mallinath Purana, Purana Sar, Mahavir Purana, and Munisuvrata Purana by various authors.

4. Origins of Jain Puranas:

• The text suggests that the "Tiloy Pannatti" by Yati Vr̥ṣabhācārya, which compiles essential information about Tirthankaras (parents, birthplaces, Panca-kalyanaka dates), likely served as a foundational source for many Jain Puranic compositions.
• Jain Puranas predominantly narrate the lives of the 63 Shalakapurushas (illustrious individuals).

5. Key Characteristics and Significance of Jain Puranas:

• Historical Accuracy: Despite employing poetic styles, Jain Puranas prioritize the authenticity of historical events. The author cites the example of "Rama Charita" in Ravishēṇa's "Padma Charita" compared to Valmiki's Ramayana, highlighting the greater realism in the Jain text.
• Character Depth: Jain Acharyas portray the inner lives and motivations of their characters (both male and female) with great clarity.
• Moral and Spiritual Guidance: Jain Puranas aim to purify the inner self of the reader, serving as "Dharmānubandhini Kathā" (stories that foster Dharma).

6. Detailed Examination of Prominent Puranas:

• Mahapurana (Adi Purana and Uttara Purana):

  • Composed by Jinasēna (Adi Purana's initial parts) and Guṇabhadra (remaining parts and Uttara Purana).
  • Considered a Mahakavya (epic poem) as well as a Purana.
  • Jinasēna's preface extensively discusses the essence and qualities of poetry and Mahakavya, emphasizing clarity, beauty, and inspiring content.
  • The Mahapurana is described as a priceless gem of Sanskrit literature, encompassing religion, economics, ethics, and early societal history.
  • It narrates the lives of Lord Rishabhadeva (the first Tirthankara) and Emperor Bharata.
  • The descriptions of nature, human emotions, and societal structures are praised for their beauty and realism.
  • The text highlights detailed accounts of rituals, the establishment of the caste system, the governance of Emperor Bharata, and the teachings of Lord Rishabhadeva on societal order and spiritual liberation.
  • Mahapurana is considered a foundational text in Jain literature, often referred to as "Ārṣa" (divine) and cited extensively by later scholars.
  • Jinasēna drew inspiration from the prose Puranas of a poet named "Paramēśvara."

• Uttar Purana:

  • A continuation of Mahapurana, authored by Guṇabhadra.
  • It narrates the lives of Tirthankaras from Ajitanatha onwards, along with other important figures like the Chakravartis, Narayan, Balabhadras, Pratinarayanas, and Jivandhara Swami.
  • While some Tirthankaras are described briefly, others are detailed more extensively. The author notes that the abundance of narratives may have impacted the poetic flair in some sections.

• Padma Charita (Padma Purana):

  • An ancient and highly respected work by Acharya Ravishēṇa.
  • It focuses on the lives of Padma (Rama), the eighth Balabhadra, and Lakshmana, the eighth Narayan.
  • The narrative is enriched by the inclusion of characters like Vidyadhar, Añjanā-Pavananjaya, Hanuman, and Sukoshala, making it highly engaging.
  • The language is praised for its clarity and beauty, with exceptional descriptions of nature, armies, and battles.
  • Ravishēṇa's lineage of gurus is traced back to Indraguru, Divākara Yati, Arhan Muni, and Lakshmana Sena.
  • The text was completed in 734 Vikram Samvat, 1203 years and 6 months after the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira.

• Harivansha Purana:

  • Authored by Acharya Jinasēna of the Punnata Sangha.
  • It holds a significant place in Jain narrative literature due to its subject matter and antiquity, ranking as the third oldest Sanskrit narrative work after Padma Charita and Varanga Charita.
  • Jinasēna mentions poet Jinasēna, the author of Parshvabhyudaya, leading to a discussion about their chronological relationship. The author argues that Harivansha Purana likely predates the completion of Mahapurana, as Jinasēna of Mahapurana is mentioned in Harivansha, but not vice-versa.
  • The Purana primarily focuses on the life of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha, but also includes other narratives.
  • It narrates the lives of Krishna (Narayana) and Balarama (Balabhadra), as well as the popular story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, and the character of Krishna's son, Pradyumna.
  • Harivansha Purana is considered a high-quality Mahakavya with beautiful poetic elements, including descriptions of seasons and moonrise.
  • The emotional depth of Neminatha's renunciation and Balarama's lament is particularly highlighted, evoking strong empathy from the reader.
  • The text also includes extensive descriptions of the three worlds (Triloka), drawing from "Triloka Prajñapti," and elaborates on philosophical principles during the exposition of Neminatha's divine discourse, functioning as a Dharma Shastra.
  • The author emphasizes the unique historical value of Harivansha Purana due to the detailed account of the Acharya lineage from Lord Mahavira to Lohacharya and subsequently to Jinasēna's guru, Kirtisena. This lineage provides critical historical data for understanding the monastic succession.
  • The composition of Harivansha Purana began in Vardhamanpur and concluded in the Shantinatha Jinālay in Dosratika, completed in Shak Samvat 705 (Vikram Samvat 840).

In essence, "Digambar Jain Puran Sahitya" by Pannalal Jain provides a valuable overview of the rich and historically significant Puranic literature within the Digambar Jain tradition, highlighting its unique emphasis on truthfulness and its profound contribution to both religious and historical understanding.