Haim Sanskrit Praveshika 1

This document is the first volume of "Haim Sanskrit Praveshika" (હેમ-સંસ્કૃત-પ્રવેશિકા), authored by Pandit Shivlal Nemchand Shah of Patan and published by Bhadrankar Prakashan in Ahmedabad. It is the 8th edition, printed in 2000 Vikram Samvat (2060 CE), with a circulation of 2000 copies.

The book is presented as an introductory guide to Sanskrit, specifically designed to facilitate the study of the renowned "Siddh-Hem Shabdhanushasan" grammar by Acharya Hemchandracharya. The author, Pandit Shivlal Nemchand Shah, was a native of Patan and resided there while composing this work. He is praised for his deep knowledge of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and other languages, gained through studies at the Mehsana Sanskrit Pathshala and years of teaching.

Key Features and Content:

• Purpose: To make Sanskrit accessible to those with limited intellect and a desire for minimal effort, enabling them to study scriptures and gain proficiency in Sanskrit.
• Foundation: Based on the principles and sutras of Acharya Hemchandracharya's "Siddh-Hem Shabdhanushasan."
• Structure: The book is divided into numerous lessons (as indicated in the table of contents, there are 51 lessons in the first part), progressing from basic concepts to more complex grammatical structures.
• Content Breakdown (from the Table of Contents):
  • Volume 1 (Prathama):
    • Introduction to Sanskrit: Discusses the nature of Sanskrit and its importance.
    • Chapter 1: Varn Vichar (Phonetics/Alphabet): Covers vowels, consonants, their special designations, pronunciation, and classification.
    • Chapter 2: Shabd Vichar (Word Study): Introduces different types of words (nouns, verbs) and the ten grammatical classes ( ganas) of verbs.
    • Chapter 3: Kriyapad (Verbs): Details present tense (vartamānā vibhakti) in parasmipada and atmanepada, covering different ganas, conjugations, and verb moods (like imperative and potential). It also introduces compound verbs and tenses like the past tense (hyastan).
    • Chapter 4: Namapad (Nouns): Covers noun declensions, including case endings (vibhakti), pronouns, indeclinables (avyaya), and deals with various types of nouns like masculine, neuter, and feminine based on their stems (e.g., based on final consonants like 'k', 'm', 'r', 's', 't', 'n', 'y', 'v').
    • Chapter 5: Namapad (Nouns): Continues with noun declensions and pronouns.
    • Chapter 6: Kriyapad (Verbs): Introduces the imperative mood (ājñārtha).
    • Chapter 7: Samas, Krudant, and Taddhit: Covers compound words (samasa), verb-derived words (krudanta), and suffix-derived words (taddhita).
    • Chapter 8: Namapad: Further discusses noun declensions and pronouns.
    • Chapter 9: Kriyapad: Discusses the potential mood (vidhyarth).
    • Chapter 10: Sankhyavachak Namo (Numerals): Covers numbers and their declensions.
    • And subsequent chapters on various grammatical topics and appendices.
• Pedagogical Approach: The book emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and a gradual progression of learning. It includes exercises, questions, and explanations using familiar Gujarati words where possible. The author's intention was to make learning engaging and avoid overwhelming the student.
• Praise and Testimonials: The book is highly commended by several scholars and Jain monks in the testimonials and reviews included. They highlight its accessibility, effectiveness in preparing students for deeper study of Siddh-Hem, and its contribution to the propagation of Sanskrit learning within the Jain community.
• Author's Dedication: Pandit Shivlal Shah's dedication is evident from the preface, where he expresses gratitude to various Jain monks and scholars who inspired him. He also mentions the extensive effort involved in creating these accessible textbooks.
• Companionship: The text also mentions related works like "Sutram Charitrani" and "Sulabh Kavya Praveshika," also likely by Pandit Shivlal Shah or edited by monks like Punyavijayji and Vajrasenvijayji, which are designed to complement the grammatical studies with the reading of Jain literature.

In essence, "Haim Sanskrit Praveshika, Prathama" is a foundational Sanskrit grammar book meticulously crafted to serve as a gateway to the study of Jain Sanskrit literature, with a particular focus on the influential Siddh-Hem Shabdhanushasan.