Gnata Dharmkatha Ki Sanskrutik Virasat

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Gnata Dharmkatha ki Sanskrutik Virasat" by Prem Suman Jain:

This article, authored by Professor Prem Suman Jain, highlights the significant cultural heritage embedded within the Jain scripture, the Gnata Dharmkatha (also transliterated as Jñātadharmakatha). The author emphasizes that this text serves as a vital source for understanding ancient Indian culture, offering rich material on language, script, art, trade, customs, and more, through its blend of historical narratives and fictional examples that inspire spiritual practice.

Key aspects of the Gnata Dharmkatha's cultural significance discussed in the article include:

• Nature of the Text: The Gnata Dharmkatha is an important Anga (canonical scripture) of Jainism, written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. It is characterized by its combination of narratives (katha) and philosophical discourse (darshan). Its name itself signifies its content: presenting the religious discourses of Jnataputra (Lord Mahavir).
• Illustrative Narratives and Allegories: The text is rich with illustrative stories and allegories that convey Jain philosophical principles in an easily understandable manner. It is considered a representative work of Agamic narratives, featuring a diversity and maturity in its storytelling. Stories like those of Meghakumara, Thavachchha Putra, Malli, and Draupadi provide a historical context, while others like Pratibuddharaja, Arhannaka the merchant, King Rukmi, the goldsmith, the painter, and Chokha the parivrajika serve as sub-narratives within larger ones, illustrating the tradition of ancillary tales.
• Allegorical and Exemplary Stories: The Gnata Dharmkatha also employs allegorical and exemplary stories to explain complex concepts. Examples include:
  • The story of peacock eggs illustrating the fruits of faith and patience.
  • The example of two turtles showing the consequences for disciplined versus undisciplined ascetics.
  • The gourd parable clarifying the principle of karma (karmavada).
  • The Daavdrava tree example explaining the nature of those who follow and those who deviate from the spiritual path.
  • The story of Dhanna the merchant and Vijaya the thief serving as an allegory for the relationship between the soul and the body.
  • The Rohini story illustrating the protection and growth of the five vows.
  • The Udakaja (water purification) story, though brief, uses the process of purifying water to reveal both the good and bad aspects of a single substance, effectively explaining the principle of anekanta (non-absolutism).
  • The Nandiphal story, primarily allegorical, uses the metaphor of sea horses to explain the nature of tempting subjects.
• Explanation of Karma: The article specifically highlights how the text explains karma through parables. In the sixth study, the example of the gourd (tumba) is used to illustrate that an आत्मा (soul) burdened by karma sinks in the ocean of existence, and upon shedding that karmic burden, it ascends. The tenth study uses the moon as an example: just as the moon's light wanes in the dark fortnight and waxes in the bright fortnight, so too does the soul's brilliance diminish with the increase of karma and shine brighter as karma decreases.
• Animal Fables: The Gnata Dharmkatha is considered a foundational text for animal fables, featuring characters like elephants, horses, rabbits, turtles, peacocks, frogs, and jackals. The example of Meruprabha the elephant demonstrating ahimsa (non-violence) is noted as rare in Indian literature.
• Portrayal of Women: While many of the 206 stories of nuns in the second section follow a similar structure, Kali's story is presented as a complete narrative, making it significant from a women's narrative perspective.
• Cultural Depictions: The text provides insights into various facets of Indian culture, including:
  • Language and Script: It primarily uses Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, enriched with elements of other Prakrit languages and indigenous words. The proficiency in multiple languages was considered a mark of honor for educated individuals in ancient times, with Meghakumara being described as an expert in eighteen indigenous languages. The article also discusses the mention of eighteen scripts, noting that many names might be imaginary, and that Brahmi script likely replaced many older ones. It references the Kuvalayamala for a list of sixteen languages and their examples, suggesting that adding two more languages completes the count of eighteen indigenous tongues.
  • Art and Religion: The text mentions 72 arts, many of which have practical applications described within its narratives. Malli's story, for instance, features detailed descriptions of excellent painting, indicating the use of art galleries. The text also discusses the presence of various religious proponents who traveled with merchants, propagating their doctrines. Religious debates before kings were also a practice. The Gnata Dharmkatha extensively describes the Krishna story from the Vedic tradition, detailing the virtuous lives of characters like Krishna, the Pandavas, and Draupadi. It uniquely mentions Krishna's Narasimha form, which is typically associated with Vishnu in Vedic texts.
  • Social Service and Environmental Protection: The text reveals a societal inclination towards social service and environmental protection among affluent families. Nand Manikar of Rajagriha built a vapi (step-well) that provided all amenities for the common people, complete with entertainment parks, art galleries, and medical centers for travelers and the sick. While viewed from a religious perspective as a potential cause for attachment, such initiatives were considered inspirational for social service and environmental conservation.
  • Scientific Practices: The cultural details point to advanced societal practices, including scientific experiments. The description of sixteen major diseases and their treatments offers new information in Ayurveda. The text also details the process of preparing complex medicinal oils from hundreds of herbs, requiring significant investment. The twelfth study mentions a water purification process that transforms polluted water into pure water, symbolizing that no object or person is entirely inauspicious.
  • Trade and Geography: Ancient India's trade and commerce were advanced, with both domestic and international trade actively pursued. Sea voyages were prestigious. Wealthy merchants supported skilled but poor traders by investing capital. Ports like Potpattana and Jalapattana were used for sea trade, with merchants importing gems and exporting various goods. The text also provides detailed information on horse trading and horse-related knowledge. The geographical descriptions of cities like Rajagriha, Champa, Varanasi, Dwarka, Mithila, Hastinapur, Saket, Mathura, and Shravasti are poetically and geographically significant. The article notes the various historical names of Rajagriha and suggests that the routes and locations of these cities warrant further research. Details of mountains, rivers, and forests are also present.
  • Social Norms and Beliefs: The text contains material on social customs, diet, attire, and religious and social beliefs. Maharani Dharini's story offers substantial information on dreams and their interpretations, attributing dreams to the influence of darshanamohaniya karma and mental fluctuations. The article also discusses dohada (pregnancy cravings), citing the Angavijja and classifying them into categories based on sensory experiences (sound, smell, form, taste, touch).
  • Omens: The ninth study mentions various types of omens, a significant part of astrology. The practice of observing omens during auspicious occasions like birth, marriage, and housewarming was prevalent for both householders and ascetics. The interpretation of omens varies with context, and the article references the Ganividya stating that omens can be more powerful than auspicious timings. Specific birds like the Neelkantha, peacock, Bharadwaj, and mongoose seen in the south are considered auspicious.
  • Family Relations, Education, and Governance: The text also contains information on family relationships, education, and governance. The description of Dharini's bedroom is highlighted as a valuable resource for architecture and textile art.

In conclusion, the article strongly advocates for a detailed cultural study of the Gnata Dharmkatha, asserting that the insights it offers into ancient Indian society, language, art, trade, and scientific practices are invaluable and shed new light on the history of ancient Indian culture.