Divsagar Pannatti Painnayam - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Divsagar Pannatti Painnayam" (द्वीपसागरप्रज्ञप्ति-प्रकीर्णक), based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Divsagar Pannatti Painnayam (द्वीपसागरप्रज्ञप्ति-प्रकीर्णक) Author(s): Punyavijay, Suresh Sisodiya, Sagarmal Jain Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan, Udaipur Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/001141/1

Core Subject:

The book "Divsagar Pannatti Painnayam" is a Jain Prakrit text that primarily focuses on the cosmology and geography of the Jain universe, specifically detailing the structure and dimensions of the islands (dvipas) and oceans (samudras) beyond the Manushottara mountain. It provides a systematic and detailed description of these realms, their mountains, cities, and the celestial beings residing there.

Key Aspects and Content:

Cosmological Structure: The text is part of the Jain Agamic literature, specifically classified as a Prakirnaka (miscellaneous or scattered texts). It delves into the Middle World (Madhyaloka) of Jain cosmology, going beyond the familiar Jambu island and Lavaṇa sea to describe the realms further out.
Detailed Geographical Descriptions: The core of the book is its intricate description of:
- Manushottara Mountain: Its dimensions (height, depth, width at base, middle, and top), and the sixteen kūṭas (summits or peaks) located on it, including their names and measurements.
- Islands and Oceans: It enumerates and describes islands like Nandiśvara, Kuṇḍala, Rucaka, and Arunadvipa, and oceans like Nalinodaka, Surārasa, Kṣīrajala, Ghṛta, and Kṣodarasāgara.
- Mountains: It details various significant mountains within these islands, such as Añjana Parvata, Dadhimukha Parvata, Rati kara Parvata, Kuṇḍala Parvata, and Rucaka Parvata, along with their characteristics and associated structures.
- Cities and Residences: The text describes the cities and capitals of various celestial beings, including those of the Lokapālas (guardians of directions) and Agramahiṣīs (chief queens) of Śakra and Īśāna, as well as the residences of various classes of deities like Nāgakumāras, Diśakumārikās, and Diggajihastis.
Deities and Their Abodes: The book names and locates the abodes of various celestial beings, including Nāgakumāras, Diśakumārikās, Diggajihastis, Indradhvajas, and the attendants of Śakra and Īśāna, detailing their places of residence on specific mountains and summits.
Sacred Structures: It provides descriptions of Jina temples (jināyatana) situated on mountain peaks, including their dimensions, architectural features, and the presence of various jewel-adorned structures, statues, and even the venerated ashes of the Jinas.
Extensive Verse Structure: The text is composed in gāthās (verses), and the provided pages include a significant portion of these verses, detailing specific measurements and names.
Comparative Analysis with Other Agamas: The "Comparative Description" section highlights the similarities and subtle differences in the descriptions of the Middle World's geography when compared with other important Jain Agamas and Purāṇas (like Sthānāṅga Sūtra, Jīvājīvābhigama Sūtra, Sūrya Prajñapti, Tiloyapaṇṇatti, Harivaṃśapurāṇa, and Lokavibhāga). This comparison is crucial for understanding the evolution and consistency of Jain cosmological narratives.
Chronological Context: The "Introduction" by Prof. Sagarmal Jain and Dr. Suresh Sisodiya places the text within the broader context of Jain Agamic literature, discussing its classification, the lineage of Agamas, and the historical development and compilation of these scriptures. It suggests that Divsagar Prajnapti predates the final compilation of some Agamas (around the 5th century CE) and its content is found in various forms in other texts, indicating its ancient origins. The text is believed to have been composed between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE.
Significance and Purpose: The text aims to provide a detailed, systematic, and verse-based account of the vast cosmic geography described in Jainism, extending beyond the commonly known areas. It serves as a foundational text for understanding the spatial layout of the Jain universe, the distribution of its inhabitants, and the sacred geography central to Jain philosophy and practice.
Editorial and Scholarly Contribution: The book is presented as an edited and translated work, with Munishri Puṇyavijay having edited the original text. Dr. Suresh Sisodiya is credited as the translator, and Prof. Sagarmal Jain provided the introduction, highlighting the text's importance and the scholarly efforts involved in its publication. The publication is supported by the Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Sansthan, Udaipur, and financed by Shri Dilip Kankaria in memory of Smt. Jīvaṇīdevi Kankaria.

In essence, "Divsagar Pannatti Painnayam" is a meticulously detailed cosmological treatise in verse, offering a comprehensive geographical map of the outer regions of the Jain Middle World, populated by various classes of deities, and adorned with sacred structures. It is a valuable resource for understanding Jain cosmology and the ancient traditions of its textual transmission.