Haribhadrasuri Aur Unki Samarmayankak Kaha

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Book Title: Haribhadrasuri aur Unki Samarmayankak Kaha Author: Punyavijay Publisher: Punyavijayji Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/212270/1

This article, written by Punyavijay, delves into a specific mention of Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri and his work, "Samarmayanka Kaha," by the esteemed Acharya Shri Udyotansuri.

The Core Issue: Acharya Shri Udyotansuri, in the introductory prologue of his Prakrit work "Kuvalayamala Katha," references numerous ancient and revered Acharyas and their creations. Among these, he specifically recalls Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri, who is also known as "Virahanka Acharya" due to the presence of "Viraha Anka" (likely referring to a poetic theme or section related to separation) in his works. Udyotansuri also mentions Haribhadrasuri's "Samarmayanka Kaha."

The central puzzle for Punyavijay is that while Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri's well-known Prakrit narrative work is "Samaraichchaha" (Samaraichchhakaha), the "Samarmayanka Kaha" is nowhere to be found or heard of in historical records. This raises the question: what is this "Samarmayanka Kaha"?

Punyavijay's Hypothesis and Argument: Punyavijay strongly believes that Acharya Shri Udyotansuri was referring to "Samaraichchaha" when he mentioned "Samarmayanka Kaha." The apparent discrepancy lies in the names themselves:

• Samaraichchaha: Composed of "Samara" + "Aichcha." "Aichcha" means Sun.
• Samarmayanka Kaha: Composed of "Samara" + "Mayanka." "Mayanka" (from Sanskrit "Mriganka") commonly means Moon.

This leads to the critical question: how can these two names, referring to Sun and Moon respectively, be considered the same? And consequently, how can "Samaraichchaha" and "Samarmayanka Kaha" be regarded as the same work?

Punyavijay provides a convincing answer by examining Jain consecration (Pratishtha) texts. These texts reveal an ancient practice where the Sun, much like the Moon, was also identified by names such as "Shashanka" and "Mriganka." This is evident in the context of the worship of the Navagrahas (nine planets) during Jain Pratishtha vidhis.

Specifically, Punyavijay cites an ancient mantra used for the Sun during the worship of the Navagrahas: “Om Hreem Shashankasuryaya Sahasrakiranaya Namo Namah Swaha.” In this mantra, the Sun or Aditya is explicitly referred to with the epithet "Shashanka."

This ancient practice demonstrates that, in earlier times, the Sun was indeed recognized by names commonly associated with the Moon, like Shashanka and Mriganka.

Conclusion: Based on this evidence, Punyavijay concludes that it is highly probable that Acharya Shri Udyotansuri followed this ancient tradition of nomenclature when he referred to Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri's "Samaraichchaha" as "Samarmayanka Kaha" in his "Kuvalayamala Katha." Therefore, Punyavijay is fully convinced that "Samaraichchaha" and "Samarmayanka Kaha" are indeed names for the same single work.

The article was published in the "Premi-Abhinandan-Granth" (Tribute Volume to Premi) in Tikamgarh in the year 1946.