Jain Acharyo Ka Sanskrut Kavya Shastra Me Yogadan

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the contributions of Jain Acharyas to Sanskrit Poetics (Kavya Shastra):

The book "Jain Acharyo ka Sanskrut Kavya Shastra me Yogadan" by Dr. Amarnath Pandey highlights the significant and often overlooked contributions of Jain scholars and ascetics to the field of Sanskrit poetics. The text details the lives and works of several key Jain figures who analyzed, critiqued, and expanded upon existing poetic theories, as well as introduced their own innovative concepts.

Key Jain Acharyas and Their Contributions:

• Acharya Hemchandra (1090-1173 CE):

  • A highly respected Jain Acharya, born in Gujarat. He received monastic initiation at a young age and later achieved the title of 'Suri'.
  • He received great honor from kings like Jayasingh Siddharaja and Kumarpala.
  • Hemchandra made significant contributions across various fields including grammar, literature, and philosophy.
  • His most famous Sanskrit work on poetics is "Kavyanushasan."
  • "Kavyanushasan" is divided into three parts: Sutra (prose exposition), Vritti (commentary), and Udaharan (examples). The Sutra part is called "Kavyanushasan," the Vritti part is "Alankar Chudamani," and the Udaharan part is "Viveka."
  • "Kavyanushasan" consists of eight chapters that discuss the objectives of poetry, rasa (emotion), doshas (defects), gunas (qualities), shabdālankaras (figures of speech related to sound), arthālankaras (figures of speech related to meaning), qualities of heroes and heroines, and the classification of dramatic and lyrical poetry.
  • Hemchandra also authored other important works like Siddham-ānamukha, Dvyāśraya Mahākāvya, Saptasandhāna Mahākāvya, and Viśiṣṭaśalākāpuruṣacarita.

• Ramachandra and Gunachandra:

  • Disciples of Hemchandra and highly accomplished scholars. Ramachandra was known as "Prabandhaśatakartā" and was proficient in logic, grammar, and literature. He was honored by Jayasingh Siddharaja with the title 'Kavikatarā malla'.
  • They jointly authored "Nāṭyadarpaṇa."
  • "Nāṭyadarpaṇa" is divided into four sections and includes kārikās (verses) with their own commentary.
  • It discusses not only the ten types of dramas (Dasharūpakas) but also two other genres: Nāṭikā and Prakaraṇī.
  • The work critically examines and often refutes the theories of the author of "Dasharūpaka." For instance, they argue that a dhīralalita (graceful and cheerful) hero can also be suitable for drama, contrary to the "Dasharūpaka" author's view that a hero must be dhīrodatta (noble and heroic).
  • They also challenge the "Dasharūpaka" author's classification of an amātya (minister) as dhīraśānta (calm and serene), arguing that an amātya can also be dhīrodatta.
  • Ramachandra's life ended tragically as he became blind.

• Vāgbhaṭa (First):

  • A Jain Acharya who served as a minister to Jayasingh Siddharaja. His Prakrit name was Bahad.
  • He authored "Vāgbhaṭālaṅkāra."
  • "Vāgbhaṭālaṅkāra" is divided into five chapters, briefly discussing the fruits of poetry, the origin of poetry, the body of poetry, defects, qualities, figures of speech, and rasa. The chapters contain 26, 29, 181, 152, and 33 verses respectively.
  • The work demonstrates Vāgbhaṭa's deep faith and devotion to Jainism, as evident in verses dedicated to the Tirthankaras. He was based in Anahillapattana.

• Narendrprabh Suri:

  • Authored "Alaṅkāramahodadhi" at the inspiration of minister Vastupala around 1225-26 CE.
  • "Alaṅkāramahodadhi" is divided into eight tarangas (sections) covering poetic purpose, verbal variety, dhvani (suggestion), gāṇībhūta-vyāṅgya (subordinate suggestion), defects, qualities, śabdālaṅkāras, and arthālankāras.
  • His guru was Narachandra Suri. Narendrprabh Suri composed this work to please Vastupala.

• Ajitasena:

  • Authored "Alaṅkāracintāmaṇi" around 1250-1260 CE.
  • "Alaṅkāracintāmaṇi" has five chapters dealing with poet education, decorative figures of speech, verses like yamaka, explanation of arthālankāras, and discussion of rasa and its aspects.
  • He also wrote "Śṛṅgāramañjarī" around 1245 CE, a shorter work.

• Arisiṁha and Amarachandra:

  • Their joint work is known as "Kāvyakalpalatā."
  • Arisiṁha composed the sūtras (aphorisms), and Amarachandra wrote the vṛtti (commentary).
  • Amarachandra also authored "Alaṅkāraprakāśa."
  • Both scholars belonged to the 13th century. "Alaṅkāraprakāśa" was published as a supplement to "Alaṅkāramahodadhi" and has eight chapters covering poetic purpose and cause, word and meaning, their defects, qualities, śabdālaṅkāras, arthālankāras, rīti (style), and rasa. It contains 132 verses.

• Vāgbhaṭa (Second):

  • A different Jain Acharya from the first Vāgbhaṭa, possibly from the 14th century.
  • He authored "Kāvyānuśāsana."
  • "Kāvyānuśāsana" is divided into five chapters discussing poetic purpose and cause, defects and qualities, arthālankāras, śabdālaṅkāras, and rasa, types of heroes and heroines, and defects of rasa.
  • His commentary on "Kavyanushasan" mentions various geographical locations, rivers, trees, and specific items, indicating a detailed understanding of the subject. He also authored "Chandō'nuśāsana" and "Ṛṣabhadeva-carita."

• Anurattamaṇḍana (or Ratnamaṇḍana Gani):

  • A 15th-century scholar who wrote "Jalpakalpalatā," a text on poet education.
  • His other work is "Mugdhamēdhākara," which primarily focuses on figures of speech.

• Jayamaṅkalāchārya and Vinayachandra:

  • Jayamaṅkalāchārya wrote "Kaviśikṣā," and Vinayachandra also wrote a "Kaviśikṣā" that provides instructions for poets.

• Bhāvadēva Suri:

  • Authored the concise work "Kāvyālaṅkārasāra."

Jain Commentators (Ṭīkākāras):

Jain Acharyas also made significant contributions by writing commentaries on important works of Sanskrit poetics:

• Vādsiṁha: Wrote a commentary on Daṇḍin's "Kāvyādarśa."
• Nemisādhu: A renowned commentator on Rudraṭa's "Kāvyālaṅkāra." He completed his commentary in 1069 CE.
• Āśādhar: Another Jain commentator on "Kāvyālaṅkāra," who also wrote commentaries on Amarakośa and Vāgbhaṭa's "Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya," among other works. He composed his commentary between 1239-43 CE.
• Māṇikyachandra: Authored the oldest commentary on Mammaṭa's "Kāvyaprakāśa," known as "Saṅkēta," in 1159 CE. He was a disciple of Sāgarēndu. His commentary makes references to Mukula and Bhojarāja.
• Guṇaratna Gani: Wrote "Sāradīpikā," a commentary on "Kāvyaprakāśa."
• Bhānuchandra Siddha-chandra: Composed "Kāvyaprakāśavivṛti."
• Jinasimhadēvagani: Wrote a commentary on Vāgbhaṭālaṅkāra.
• Vardhana Suri, Kṣēmahaṁsa Gani, Jñānapramōda Gani, Vādirāja, Rājahaṁsōpādhyāya, Samayasundara: Other Jain commentators on Vāgbhaṭālaṅkāra.
• Ājaḍa: Commented on Sarasvatīkaṇṭhābharaṇa.
• Jinaprabha, Śivachandra, Vinaya Ratna, Vidyāsāgara: Commented on Dharmadāsa's "Vidagdhāmukhamandana."

In summary, "Jain Acharyo ka Sanskrut Kavya Shastra me Yogadan" demonstrates that Jain scholars were not only religious leaders but also active participants and innovators in the sophisticated world of Sanskrit literary theory. They enriched the field with detailed analyses, critical perspectives, and original treatises, leaving a lasting legacy on Indian literary tradition.