Gyan Pradipika Tatha Samudrik Shastram - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Gyan Pradipika tatha Samudrik Shastram," based on the digitized pages:

Overall Context:

The text is a digitized collection of Jain scriptures, specifically focused on astrology and physiognomy. The publication is a result of a "Granth Jīrṇōddhār" (restoration of ancient texts) project undertaken by the Shree Āśāpūrṇa Pārśvanātha Jain Gyān Bhaṇḍār in Ahmedabad, India. The project involved scanning old and inaccessible books and creating DVDs, making them available for wider access, including online download. The provided pages are from a specific volume titled "Gyan Pradipika tatha Samudrik Shastram" by Ramvyas Pandey, published by Jain Siddhant Bhavan, Ara.

Content Breakdown:

The digitized pages reveal the following key aspects:

Publication and Support:
- The book is dedicated to the inspiration of Acharya Nararatnasūrīśvarjī M.Sa. and other Sadhvījīs.
- Financial support ("Dravya Sahāyak") was provided by the dedicated laywomen ("ārādhak śrāvikaō") of Shree Prerana Tirth Jain Sangh, Ahmedabad, from their knowledge fund.
- The "Sanyojak" (coordinator) is Shah Babulal Saremala Bedawala, associated with Shree Āśāpūrṇa Pārśvanātha Jain Gyān Bhaṇḍār.
Project Scope (Granth Jīrṇōddhār):
- Pages 3 through 8 list a comprehensive catalog of restored books, scanned and put onto DVDs. This list includes a wide range of Jain texts covering various subjects like Nandi Sūtra, Uttarādhyayan Sūtra, various Shilpaśāstras (architecture, sculpture), Vastuśāstras (architecture, town planning), Jyotiṣa (astrology), Nyāya (logic), Vyakaraṇa (grammar), and Kāvya (poetry).
- The project covers multiple sets of restored books (Set No. 1, 2, 3, 4), indicating a large-scale effort to preserve and disseminate Jain literature.
"Gyan Pradipika":
- Subject Matter: This part of the book deals with Prashna Tattva (horary astrology or the astrology of questions). It focuses on predicting outcomes based on the astrological chart at the moment a question is asked. The text mentions that Nalakanthe also described this topic in his work, and that "Gyan Pradipika" is considered a comprehensive and independent book on this subject.
- Author: The original author is unknown, but the introductory verses suggest they were Jain.
- Translation and Editing: Pandit Ramvyas Pandey is credited as the translator and editor of this work, which he undertook with great effort due to the impurity and incompleteness of the original manuscript. He tried to cross-reference with other texts to correct the text while preserving the author's intent.
- Key Concepts Covered: The "Gyan Pradipika" is structured into numerous "Kandas" (chapters) covering a wide array of predictive topics:
  - Upoḍghāt Kāṇḍa: Introduction, auspicious verses.
  - Ārūḍhā Chhatra Kāṇḍa: Concepts of Ārūḍha (rising sign) and Chhatra (umbrella sign) in horary astrology.
  - Dhātu Cintā Kāṇḍa: Analysis of metals and elements.
  - Mūla Kāṇḍa: Study of plants and roots.
  - Manushya Kāṇḍa: Human characteristics and their predictive significance.
  - Chintan Kāṇḍa: Contemplation and thought processes.
  - Dhātu Kāṇḍa: Further discussion on metals.
  - Ārūḍha Kāṇḍa: Principles of the Ārūḍha chart.
  - Nashṭa Kāṇḍa: Prediction related to lost items.
  - Roga Kāṇḍa: Diagnosis and prediction of illnesses.
  - Maraṇa Kāṇḍa: Prediction of death.
  - Swarga Kāṇḍa: Destiny in the afterlife.
  - Bhojan Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to food and diet.
  - Svapna Kāṇḍa: Interpretation of dreams.
  - Nimitta Kāṇḍa: Significance of omens and signs.
  - Vivāha Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to marriage and marital life.
  - Kāma Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to love, desire, and relationships.
  - Putrotpatti Kāṇḍa: Predictions about childbirth and progeny.
  - Sutarishṭa Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to the well-being of children.
  - Kshurika Kāṇḍa: Possibly related to warfare or conflict.
  - Śalya Kāṇḍa: Dealing with hidden or buried objects, or medical procedures.
  - Kūpa Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to wells and water.
  - Senā Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to armies and warfare.
  - Yātrā Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to travel.
  - Vṛṣṭi Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to rainfall.
  - Arghya Kāṇḍa: Possibly related to offerings and their results.
  - Naukā Kāṇḍa: Predictions related to boats and sea travel.
- Jain Connection: The translator, Pandit Ramvyas Pandey, believes the text, despite some potentially general astrological principles, developed uniquely within Jainism. The initial verses are also identified as Jain.
"Samudrik Shastram":
- Subject Matter: This part of the book focuses on Samudrika Shastra, which is the science of physiognomy, particularly palmistry and body reading (reading lines on hands, feet, and forehead, as well as bodily marks). It aims to understand a person's past, present, and future through these physical characteristics.
- Author: The original author is unknown, but the text states that India is credited with its invention, and it spread to China and Greece.
- Key Concepts Covered:
  - Ayur Lakshana Parva: Signs related to lifespan.
  - Purusha Lakshana Parva: Characteristics of men and their fortunes.
  - Stri Lakshana Parva: Characteristics of women and their fortunes.
- Specific Details: The text discusses the significance of various bodily features like hands, feet, nails, eyes, lips, teeth, tongue, nose, ears, and the shape and lines on the palm. It also delves into the auspiciousness of certain bodily movements and sounds.
- Jain Relevance: The text appears to present Samudrika Shastra within a broader framework of Indic knowledge systems, with the specific intent to present it as a valuable part of Jain heritage through this publication.
The "Aho! Shrutgyanam" Project: The repeated mention of "Aho! Shrutgyanam" signifies a broad movement dedicated to the revival and dissemination of Jain knowledge, encompassing classical texts across various disciplines.

In essence, this publication represents a significant effort to preserve and make accessible two important branches of predictive knowledge within the Jain tradition: horary astrology (Gyan Pradipika) and physiognomy/palmistry (Samudrik Shastram). The extensive catalog of restored books highlights the depth and breadth of Jain literature that this project aimed to revitalize.