Jain Agamo Ka Vyakhya Sahitya

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text "Jain Agamo ka Vyakhya Sahitya" by Mahendramuni:

This chapter from "Jain Agamo ka Vyakhya Sahitya" (The Interpretive Literature of Jain Agamas) by Mahendramuni discusses the vital role and evolution of commentary and interpretive literature within the Jain tradition, focusing on the Agamas (canonical scriptures).

The Nature and Importance of Language and Literature:

• Language is an expression of thoughts, with two forms: symbolic and verbal. While symbolic language is universal among living beings, it lacks clarity. Verbal language, however, offers clarity and precision.
• Humans use words to create literature, preserve thoughts, and pass down a legacy of experiences to future generations. The literature we possess today is a compilation of words, containing an ocean of meaning that requires interpretation and analysis from various perspectives.
• Interpretation (Vyakhyan) holds a special place in literature as it is essential for revealing the hidden meanings within texts. Without authentic interpretation, significant aspects of a text remain unknown. This is particularly true for ancient texts, which are often composed in a sutra-like (aphoristic) style, necessitating extensive commentary.

Purposes and Analogies of Interpretation:

• Interpretive literature serves two primary purposes:
  1. For the Public: It makes the underlying meanings of the texts accessible to the common people, enabling them to understand the truth.
  2. For the Interpreter: It provides immense spiritual joy and an opportunity for the commentator to present their own understanding and intellectual thoughts in accordance with the context.
• Interpretation is likened to a river. Just as a river originates from a source, expands its area, and merges with new streams to eventually become the ocean, interpretation begins with the specific and technical terms of a text. It evolves over time, incorporating new analyses and perspectives, to reach its full developmental stage. The core function of interpretation is to explain the literal and figurative meanings of specific terms and to elaborate on the overall sentiments of the text.

Evolution of Jain Commentary Literature:

The text outlines a chronological development of interpretive literature in Jainism, generally following this sequence:

1. Niyukti (नियुक्ति):

   • The first stage of interpretive literature.
   • Focuses specifically on the explanation and analysis of technical and specialized terms (paribhashik shabda) from the original Agamas.
   • The language is Prakrit, and the style is poetic.
   • The explanatory style is dense and concise, often lacking the full depth of discussion required for a topic. Many of their insights become clearer through later commentaries.

2. Bhashya (भाष्य):

   • Developed to elaborate on the profound and concise meanings found in Niyuktis.
   • Also written in Prakrit and with a poetic style.
   • Expresses the subtle meanings of Niyuktis and also reveals some of the sentiments of the original text.
   • However, their poetic nature limits the full expression of emotions and ideas.

3. Churni (चूणि):

   • Emerges to provide a more expansive and explicit explanation of the Agamic sentiments.
   • Written in prose in Prakrit or Prakrit mixed with Sanskrit.
   • This new form of interpretation became known as Churni.

4. Tika (टीका):

   • Written in pure Sanskrit, adopting the language prevalent among scholars.
   • These commentaries built upon the content of Niyuktis, Bhashyas, and Churnis, incorporating new arguments and reasoning to expand upon the existing material.
   • The goal was to make the texts accessible and understandable to scholars in a refined language.

Key Interpretive Traditions and Scholars:

The text then delves into specific types of interpreters and notable scholars:

• Niyuktikar (नियुक्तिकार - Authors of Niyukti):

  • Acharya Bhadrabahu (II): Differentiated from the earlier Bhadrabahu (the fourteenth Purvadhar), he is considered a contemporary of the astrologer Varahamihira (around 562 AD). His Niyuktis are foundational for later commentaries. He wrote Niyuktis for important Agamas like Acharanga, Dashavaikalika, Uttaradhyayana, etc.
  • Govindacharya: Mentioned as another Niyuktikar, but his works are not available.

• Bhashyakar (भाष्यकार - Authors of Bhashya):

  • Acharya Jinbhadra Gani: Highly significant for his works like "Visheshavasthyabhasya" (written partly in Sanskrit prose and remaining incomplete). His time is estimated to be between 550-600 AD.
  • Sanghadhasagani: Known for his commentaries like "Brihatkalpa Laghu Bhashya" and "Panchakalpa Mahabhashya." There is a debate about whether Sanghadhasagani refers to one or two individuals. He is considered an antecedent to Acharya Jinbhadra.

• Churnikar (चूर्णिकार - Authors of Churni):

  • Jindas Gani Mahattara: A prominent Churnikar. He wrote Churnis for numerous Agamas, including Nishitha, Nandi, Anuyogadvara, etc. His time is estimated to be between 650-750 AD, placed between Acharya Jinbhadra and Acharya Haribhadra.
  • Siddhasenasuri, Pralambhasuri, Agastyasinha Suri: Also mentioned as authors of some Churnis.

• Tikaakar (टीकाकार - Authors of Tika):

  • Acharya Jinbhadra Gani: Also recognized as an early Tikaakar for starting the "Sopajnavrutti" for Visheshavasthyabhasya.
  • Acharya Haribhadra Suri: A major Tikaakar, known for his extensive scholarly output (claimed 1444 works, 75 still extant). He wrote Tikaas on many Agamas. His period is estimated as 700-770 AD.
  • Acharya Shilanka Suri: Credited with Tikaas on the first nine Angas, though only those on Acharanga and Sutrakritanga are currently available. His time is estimated to be in the 8th-9th century AD.
  • Vadivetala Shantisuri: Author of the Uttaradhyayana Sutra Tika. He was a prominent debater and poet, contemporary of King Bhoja of Dharanagari. He passed away in 1066 AD.
  • Abhayadeva Suri: Famous as the "Navangi Vruttikar," he wrote Tikaas for the nine Angas and Upangas. His lifespan is estimated between 1088-1136 AD.
  • Malayagiri Suri: Contemporary of Acharya Hemachandra. His time is estimated between 1150-1250 AD. He wrote Tikaas for many Agamas, with a vast literary output.
  • Maldhari Hemachandra Suri: A disciple of Maldhari Abhayadeva Suri. He attained Acharya pada in 1168 AD and passed away around 1180 AD. He also authored significant commentaries.
  • Nemichandrasuri, Shrichandrasuri: Other notable Tikaakars.

Local Language Commentators (Lokbhasha Tikaakar):

• Due to changes in language and the need for accessibility, later scholars wrote commentaries in vernacular languages.
• Balavabodha (बालावबोध): These are simplified, accessible commentaries, particularly in ancient Gujarati (Apabhramsha).
• Munishri Dharmasinghji: A prominent Balavabodha author who wrote for many Agamas. He was known for his remarkable dexterity, able to write with both hands and feet. He passed away in 1728 AD.
• Parshwachandragani: Disciple of Ratnasinhji, wrote Balavabodha in Gujarati.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by mentioning that the tradition of writing Sanskrit commentaries on Agamas continued until the 17th century AD. In contemporary times, translations, summaries, and research on Agamas are being actively pursued in languages like Hindi, English, and Gujarati. The author concludes by recommending the works of Shri Devendra Muni Ji Shastri for deeper study on the topic.

The final section, titled "Pushkar Vani," contains a philosophical reflection on how a light object (like a ball) bounces back with more force when struck, relating this to the soul that remains joyful and resilient when faced with afflictions, due to its inherent lightness.