Gunkittva Shodshika

The provided text is a detailed introduction and analysis of the Jain text "Gunkittva Shodshika" by Acharya Vinaysagar, with a commentary by Shrimatikeerthy. The document also includes an extensive discussion and partial reproduction of the "Shri Muri Bai-termas" (a twelve-month devotional work) by Harkhasut Shivraj.

Here's a comprehensive summary in English:

1. Introduction to "Gunkittva Shodshika" by Vinaysagar:

• Subject Matter: The text is a concise treatise on a specific aspect of Sanskrit grammar, focusing on the rules governing "Guna" and "Kittva" in verb roots.
• Importance of Grammar: The author emphasizes the critical role of grammar in regulating words from their origin to pronunciation. It is highlighted that even mantras and tantras are derived from these very letters, and pure pronunciation of a single word can bring immense auspiciousness, while incorrect pronunciation can be disastrous. Grammarians traditionally celebrate even minor grammatical simplifications.
• Author's Background (Matikirti):
  • Matikirti was a disciple of Gunavinayopadhyaya and a disciple of the great scholar Jayasoma within the Khartar Gachchha tradition.
  • His initiation likely occurred around the time of the establishment of the "Kirti" Nandi, which is estimated to be around 1652-1655 CE, based on the compositions of other scholars with the "Kirti" suffix.
  • Matikirti is first mentioned as an assistant to Gunavinayaji in 1671 CE during the revision of the "Nishithachurni." He is also mentioned as an assistant in Gunavinayaji's works "Prashnottarmalika" (1673 CE) and "Lumpakamata Modinakar Chaupai" (1674 CE).
• Literary Works of Matikirti: Matikirti was a profound scholar of Jain Agamas and excelled in theological discussions. He was also a skilled grammarian and proficient in the Rajasthani language. His known literary period is between 1674 and 1697 CE. Twelve of his works are known, including:
  1. Dasha Shrutaskandha Sutra - Tikā (1697 CE, 18,000 verses)
  2. Niryuktisthapan (also known as Prashn Shastra)
  3. 21 Prashnottar (answers to 21 questions posed by Sadhu Lakhamasi)
  4. Bhashyatrayi-Balavabodh (1677 CE)
  5. Samayaktva Kulaka-Balavabodh (a manuscript dated 1655 CE exists)
  6. Gunkittva Shodshika (discussed below)
  7. Aghatkumar Chaupai (1674 CE, refutes the views of Lokashah)
  8. Dharmabuddhi-Subuddhi Chaupai (1697 CE)
  9. Lalitanga Rās
  10. Lumpaka-Matotthapak-Geet
  11. Panchakalyanaka Stava-Balavabodh
  12. Saptasmarana-Stabaka
• "Gunkittva Shodshika" Details:
  • It contains 16 verses and is named "Gunkittva Shodshika" due to its discussion of "Guna" and "Kittva."
  • It includes a self-commentary (Swopagya Tika).
  • The text is related to grammar, specifically discussing when "Kittva" or "Guna" occurs in verb roots.
  • The commentary cites Panini's grammar rules and the Dhatupatha (list of verb roots) to explain the concepts.
  • The composition date is not in the inscription but is estimated to be between 1670-1674 CE, based on the mention of the reign of Shri Jinasingh Suri.
• Copyist: The manuscript was written by Pandit Shri Jeevakeerti Gani. His initiation likely occurred around the same time as Matikirti's, suggesting he was also a disciple of Shri Gunavinayopadhyaya.
• Manuscript Location: A single manuscript of the text, consisting of 7 leaves, is preserved in the Shri Khartar Gachchha Gyan Bhandar, Shivjiram Bhavan, Jaipur. The editor's transcription in 1945 was based on this manuscript, which could not be obtained for collation later.
• Utility: The text is considered highly useful for students of grammar.
• Editorial Note: The editor notes that the original manuscript was significantly corrupted, requiring extensive filling, corrections, and annotations, which was a laborious task due to the lack of other copies and the complexity of the Paninian grammar foundation. Munishri Trilokyamandhanvijayji is credited for his significant effort in this editorial work.

2. Detailed Grammatical Analysis (Sutras and Explanations):

The text then proceeds to reproduce and explain several sutras from Panini's grammar, specifically related to "Guna" and "Vriddhi" (augmentations) in Sanskrit verbs. This section is highly technical and involves detailed linguistic analysis. Key concepts discussed include:

• Sārvadhātuka and Ārdhadhātuka: Rules for Guna and Vriddhi depend on these categories of verb affixes.
• Laghupadha and Gurupadha: Rules are affected by whether the penultimate vowel is short (laghu) or long (guru).
• Kit and Ngit: Affixes marked with 'k' (kit) or 'ñ' and 'g' (ngit) have specific effects, often preventing Guna or Vriddhi.
• Exceptions and Special Rules: The text details numerous exceptions and special rules for specific verb roots and affixes, such as those for "bhū," "su," "jāgr," "abhyasta" roots, and various prefixes.
• Application of Rules: Examples are provided to illustrate how these rules apply in different contexts, including the impact of prefixes, verb reduplication (yanga), and specific affix types.
• Specific Sutras Discussed: The text references and explains sutras like "Sārvadhātukārdhadhātukayoḥ," "Puṅgalaghopadhaya ca," "Aco ñṇiti," "Jāgro'vicinṇaṅgitsu," "Nābhyastasyā'ci piti sārvadhātau," "Bhūsuvostighi," "Dadhārty-dardharṣi-babhūtu," "Yāsuṭ parasma-padeṣūdāttodig," "Uṇoteḥ vibhāṣā," "Kiṭi ca," "Jusi ca," "Miderguṇaḥ," "Ṛdṛśo'ṅi guṇaḥ," "Ṛcchaty-atām," "Guṇo'rti-saṃyogādyōḥ," "Śīṅaḥ sārvadhātuke guṇaḥ," "Uṇoteḥ vibhāṣā," "Ghāṅkuṭādhyō'jñidit," "Sarvadhātu-kamapit," "Asaṃyogādlliṭ kiṭ," "Indhibhavatibhyāṃ ca," "Mṛḍamṛd-gudhakkuṣkliś-vadvasaḥ kṭvā," "Rudavidamuṣa-grahi-svapi-pracchaḥ saṃśca," "Iko jhal," "Liṭsi-cāvasmne-padeṣu," "Hanaśca vadhaḥ," "Yamo gandhane," "Vibhaṣopayamane," "Tṛṣimṛṣikṛśeḥ kāśypasya," "Ralo vyupadhāddhalādeḥ saṃśca," and "Na kṭvā seṭ."
• The Goal: The primary objective appears to be a detailed exploration of the application of Panini's rules concerning Guna and Vriddhi, providing a grammatical framework for understanding verb conjugation in Sanskrit.

3. Analysis and Partial Reproduction of "Shri Muri Bai-termas" by Harkhasut Shivraj:

• Work Details: This is a devotional work detailing the life and spiritual journey of Mahasati Muri Bai, a Jain nun. It is composed in 52 verses ("gāthā") and was written in 1892 CE by Shivraj (also called Savraj), a disciple of the Lonka Gachchha and a resident of Sayala, whose father's name was Harkha.
• Content Overview: The "termas" (meaning "thirteen months," referring to a year with an extra month) describes Muri Bai's life month by month, focusing on her spiritual development, austerities, and eventual renunciation. Unlike typical "baramasi" (twelve-month) works that often depict viraha (separation) and eventual union, this work focuses on Muri Bai's progression through the stages of spiritual practice and eventual acceptance of santhara (the Jain practice of voluntary fasting unto death).
• Key Stages of Muri Bai's Life as Described:
  • Birth and Early Life (Shravan): Born to Ratanasha Vani, a Shri Shrimali Vaishya, and Amritabai in Vadvan. She was exceptionally beautiful and obedient, showing early signs of spiritual inclination.
  • Youth and Marriage (Bhadarva): Married to Kothari Nanji. Despite marriage and children, her mind remained detached from worldly pleasures. She engaged in fasting, austerities, and charitable acts, serving monks and nuns.
  • Growing Renunciation (Aso): Her inner detachment deepened as she recognized the transient nature of the world. She spent time in the upashraya (monastic dwelling), contemplating escape from worldly suffering and engaging in extensive charity.
  • Spiritual Practice (Kartik): She began to actively practice detachment, giving up adornments, makeup, and refined speech. She focused on meditating on Arihant Dev.
  • Taking Vows (Magsar): She accepted twelve vows under the guidance of Acharya Anandabai, dedicating her time to spiritual learning and practice, feeling confined by worldly life.
  • Decision for Renunciation (Posh): She firmly decided to take initiation, overcoming initial objections from her family, especially her son.
  • Preparation for Initiation (Mah): She gathered necessary items, spent generously, and undertook initiation in Limbdi under Guru Ratnabai, learning about Jain principles and the cycle of life.
  • Initiation (Phagan): Formally initiated in 1665 CE (Vikram Samvat), embracing the great vows and finding solace in being guided away from the ocean of worldly existence.
  • Intensified Austerities (Chaitra): She undertook severe penances like chhahath and athham, practicing dietary restrictions (avoiding 96 impurities in food) and month-long fasts (mas-khamana). She lived on coarse grains and renounced all indulgences, understanding the impermanence of the body.
  • Extreme Austerities (Vaishakh): Her penances became even more rigorous, limiting her diet to two items. Her body weakened significantly, becoming skeletal, yet her dedication to austerities continued.
  • Detachment from Body (Jeth): Her body became a burden, and she intensified her fasts, enduring hardships with equanimity like a lion. She achieved complete detachment from worldly desires.
  • Acceptance of Santhara (Ashadh): She began her final fast (santhara), performing ritualistic preparations and seeking forgiveness. She passed away on Friday, Ashadh Sud 14, 1890 CE (Vikram Samvat), after a 13-day fast.
• Author's Context and Perspective:
  • The poet Shivraj, a devout follower of the Lonka Gachchha, was inspired by the sight of a sthanak (a place of worship for adherents of the Sthanakvasi sect) built near his home by Jivanbhai Seth and Jhamku Sethani.
  • He praises the importance of serving monks and nuns and the preciousness of the Jain dharma attained through good karma.
  • The work provides historical context, mentioning the reign of King Vakhatsingh Rana.
  • The termas is considered historically significant due to its inclusion of details about the era, the ruler, and the poet, and its distinct focus on spiritual progression rather than conventional romantic themes.
  • The poetic style is appreciated for its portrayal of Muri Bai's profound spiritual yearning and her journey towards liberation, even without elaborate descriptions of nature or viraha.
• Linguistic and Structural Notes: The text mentions alterations made during transcription, such as replacing 'sh' with 'kh' and using the anusvara for nasal sounds. Each month's description typically consists of four verses.

In essence, the document presents "Gunkittva Shodshika" as a specialized grammatical text, offering a detailed technical analysis of Sanskrit verb rules. Simultaneously, it provides a biographical and devotional account of Mahasati Muri Bai through the "Shri Muri Bai-termas," highlighting her spiritual discipline and ultimate liberation, enriched by historical and socio-religious context.