Jain Chand Shastra Parampara

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Chand Shastra Parampara" (Jain Prosody Tradition) by Narottam Narayan Gautam, based on the English text provided:

The article "Jain Chand Shastra Parampara" by Narottam Narayan Gautam, a lecturer in literature, explores the rich tradition of prosody (chandashastra) within Jain literature and its broader significance in Indian literary history.

The Essence of Prosody:

• The author begins by highlighting that ancient scholars, in their efforts to preserve knowledge for posterity, advised poets to imbue their works with elements of emotion and delight. This led to the binding of knowledge into forms involving melody, pauses (yati), rhythm, and meter (chhanda).
• Prosody is presented as a vital discipline for analyzing ancient texts like the Vedas, which are considered the oldest in world literature. In the Vedic metaphor, prosody forms the "feet" of the divine person.
• The term "chhanda" is derived from the root "chadi," meaning to please or delight, indicating its function of engaging the mind. It is also linked to the root "chhad" (to cover or conceal), suggesting the way it envelops thoughts in language, melody, and rhythm.
• A story of Indra being protected from sin by being enveloped in prosody is cited to illustrate its protective and pleasurable nature. In essence, chhanda refers to compositions governed by rules of letters, syllables, pauses, and rhythm, which bring happiness to the listener.

The Roots of Prosody in India:

• The analysis of prosody began with the Vedas. The Shukla Yajurveda is cited for listing various Vedic meters.

Jain Contributions to Prosody:

The article then meticulously details the contributions of Jain scholars to the field of prosody, presenting them chronologically and thematically:

1. Ratna Manjusha:

   • This work, divided into eight chapters and containing 230 sutras, has an author whose name is lost to time.
   • Evidence suggests its author was Jain due to the nature of its commentators and its divergence from the views of non-Jain prosodists like Hemachandra.
   • The book covers: definitions, syllabic (matrik) meters, irregular meters, metric (varnik) meters, and the "prastar" (a method of calculation).
   • Notably, the author deviates from traditional "gana" (metrical foot) classifications, introducing unique terms and designations, showcasing originality.
   • A commentary on this work was written by a Jain scholar named Punnagachandra or Nagachandra.

2. Chhandas Anuśāsana (by Acharya Jayakirti):

   • Authored by Jayakirti, a Digambara scholar from the Kannada region, this work likely dates to around 1000 CE, as it references Acharya Asanga.
   • Its eight chapters systematically cover: nomenclature, regular meters (samavritta), half-regular meters (ardhasamavritta), irregular meters (vishama vritta), "jati" (syllabic meters), mixed meters, Kannada meters, and prastar.
   • A significant feature is its focus on the meters of the vernacular Kannada language rather than solely Vedic meters.
   • Jayakirti also employed new names for meters and attempted to provide definitions within the meter itself, reducing the need for separate examples.

3. Chhandas Shekhar:

   • Composed by Rajshekhar, son of Thakkur Dudduk and Nagadevi.
   • The oldest manuscript dates to Vikram Samvat 1176.
   • Acharya Hemachandra utilized this work in his own writings.

4. Chhandas Anuśāsana (by Acharya Hemachandra):

   • Authored by the renowned scholar Hemachandra, this work is a comprehensive treatise on prosody.
   • It covers Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha meters.
   • The eight chapters are structured as follows:
     • Chapter 1: Nomenclature.
     • Chapter 2: Regular meters and Dandakas (long metrical lines).
     • Chapter 3: Half-regular and irregular meters.
     • Chapter 4: Prakrit meters.
     • Chapters 5-7: Apabhramsha meters prevalent in literature.
   • Hemachandra possessed knowledge of many new metrical topics, describing 72 out of 411 irregular meters and analyzing a total of 800 meters, a remarkable feat for its time.
   • This work is praised for its clarity and diversity. Hemachandra himself wrote a commentary on it called "Swopajña" or "Chhandash Chudamani," referencing various scholars.

5. Chhandoravalis:

   • Written by Amarchandrasuri, a disciple of Jinadattasuri and a luminary in the court of King Bisaldev of Gujarat.
   • This work, comprising 600 verses, is divided into nine chapters.
   • Like his predecessors, Amarchandrasuri analyzed Prakrit meters.
   • The article notes that the publication of this yet-unpublished work would benefit researchers.

6. Chhandas Anuśāsana (by Mahakavi Vagbhatta):

   • Authored by Vagbhatta, a great poet and son of Nemikumar, a Jain merchant from Medpat (Mewar), in the 14th century.
   • Its five chapters deal with: nomenclature, regular meters, half-regular meters, "matrasamak," and syllabic meters.

7. Vrittamauktika:

   • Authored by Upadhyay Meghavijaya, a polymath with expertise in grammar, poetry, astrology, philosophy, and spirituality.
   • This concise work of 10 folios provides a detailed analysis of topics like prastar numbers, "uddishtha" (finding a verse based on a given pattern), and "nashta" (finding a pattern based on a given verse), and includes useful charts.
   • It is believed to have been composed in VS 1755 for Bhanuvijaya.

8. Chhandas Avatamsa:

   • Authored by Upadhyay Lalchandra Gani, this work follows the style of Kedar Bhatt's Vrittaratnakara.
   • Written in Sanskrit, it provides a detailed analysis of highly useful meters, with a cursory glance at others.
   • The author humbly requests scholars to correct any errors in the work, which was composed in VS 1711.

9. Jayadeva Chhandam:

   • The commentator Muhu, while commenting on Vrittaratnakara, suggests that the poet Jayadeva might have been Svetambara due to the epithet "Shvetapat" applied to him.
   • Jayadeva himself indicates his Jain faith by bowing to Vardhamana (Mahavira).
   • Jayadeva's work, "Jayadeva Chhandas," is based on Pingala Shiromani.
   • It is the first Jain work in eight chapters that discusses Vedic meters, alongside Sanskrit meters.
   • While influenced by Pingala in its beginning and end, Jayadeva's style differs in the treatment of secular meters.
   • Scholars like Svayambhu and Halayudha reviewed Jayadeva's views.
   • Jayadeva's work was widely cited and respected by Jain and non-Jain literary scholars alike, including Abhinavagupta, Nami Sadhu, Hemachandra, and others, testifying to its authenticity and popularity.
   • Commentaries on this work include "Jayadeva Chhandavritti" by Hatta (son of Mukul Bhatt) and "Jayadeva Chhandashastravritti Tippan" by Chandrasuri (a disciple of Shilbhadrasuri) in the 13th century.

10. Svayambhu Chhandas:

    • There is no consensus on whether the author of this work, Svayambhu, is the same as the author of the Jain "Harivansha Purana" and "Paumachariu."
    • If the excerpts from this work found in "Paumachariu" are attributed to a single poet, then Svayambhu was the son of Madhuradeva the Brahmin and father of Tribhuvan.
    • This work, in eight chapters, has lost some folios of its first chapter.
    • Chapter 2 discusses half-regular meters, Chapter 3 irregular meters, and Chapters 4-8 cover Apabhramsha meters.
    • The author also applied Sanskrit meters to Prakrit examples, drawing illustrations from Prakrit compositions.

11. Vrittajati Samucchaya:

    • This work, composed in Prakrit verses, is also known by the name "Siddha."
    • Its author is Virahanka or Virahalachhan.
    • The "Siddha Hema Vyakarana" quotes Prakrit verses from this work, attesting to its authenticity.
    • The book is divided into six rules. Rules 1-5 analyze Prakrit meters, while Rule 5 also includes Sanskrit meters. Rule 6 provides units of measurement: 4 angulas = 1 Hasta, 3 Hastas = 1 Vitasti, 2 Vitastis = 1 Hand, 2 Hands = 1 Dhanurdhar, 2000 Dhanurdhars = 1 Kosa, 8 Kosas = 1 Yojana.
    • A commentary called "Vritti" was written on this work by Gopala, son of Chakrapala, who remembers Katyayana, Bharata, Kambala, and Ashvatara.

12. Chhandas Kosa:

    • Authored by Ratnashekharasuri, this work contains 74 verses.
    • While the initial verses are in Prakrit, verses 5 to 50 are in Apabhramsha.
    • It provides detailed descriptions of Prakrit meters.
    • Commentaries include "Vrutti" by Chandrakirti and "Vatavabodha" by Amarakirtisuri.
    • This work served as the basis for "Chhanda Kadali" and "Chhanda Tatva."

Commentaries on Non-Jain Prosody Texts:

The article also highlights that Jain scholars not only authored their own prosody works but also wrote commentaries on the works of non-Jain poets:

1. Chhandovidya:

   • Authored by Kavi Rajamalla, who had exceptional command over prosody and lived in the 16th century.
   • This unique work, yet unpublished, is written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Hindi, with 64 verses outlining metrical rules.
   • Kavi Rajamalla also authored other works like "Lati Samhita," "Jambuswami Charita," "Adhyatmakamalmartanda," and "Panchadhyayi."

2. Pingala Shiromani:

   • Authored by Muni Kushalabh, with the manuscript dated to VS 1575.
   • This eight-chapter work covers: classification of meters, metrical descriptions, syllable matters, "varga prastar," description of ornaments, nomenclature, and song sections.

3. Aryasankhya Uddishtha Nashta Vartana Vidhi:

   • Authored by Upadhyay Samaysundar, who lived in the 17th century and authored many works in Sanskrit and Old Gujarati.
   • This work discusses the counting of Arya meters and "uddishtha nashta" topics.

4. Shrutabodha:

   • Some scholars attribute its authorship to Vararuci, while others believe it to be by Kalidasa.
   • This short, 44-verse work is simple and useful, meant to be easily memorized. It was written addressing the poet's wife.
   • The definitions of meters are given within the meters themselves. It describes the "gana" and accent (guru-laghu) rules, starting with Arya meters, and then describes regular meters with directions for pauses.
   • A commentary called "Vritti" was written on this work by Harshakirtisuri in the 17th century. The commentator introduces himself in the colophon.

5. Vrittaratnakara:

   • Authored by Kedar Bhatt around 1000 CE.
   • This work is divided into six chapters: nomenclature, syllabic rules, regular meters, half-regular meters, irregular meters, and prastar.
   • Jain authors have written several commentaries on this work, including:
     • "Upadhyay Nirapeksa" by Asad.
     • Somachandragani (VS 1326) drew examples from Hemachandra's Chhandas Anuśāsana for his commentary on Vrittaratnakara.
     • Muni Kshema Hans wrote a "Tippan" on it in the 15th century.
     • Amarakirti and his disciple Yashakirti wrote a "Vritti" on it.
     • Merusundarasuri wrote a "Balavabodha" in the 16th century.
     • Upadhyay Samaysundargani wrote a commentary in VS 1964, introducing himself and the lineage.

Conclusion:

The article concludes by stating that prosodic compositions are found in various other texts in incomplete forms and emphasizes the need for further research to enrich and flourish Jain literature in this domain.

In essence, the article "Jain Chand Shastra Parampara" by Narottam Narayan Gautam is a scholarly survey highlighting the profound and extensive contributions of Jain tradition to the field of prosody in India, tracing its lineage from Vedic times through the works of numerous Jain scholars and their critical engagement with both indigenous and external literary traditions.