Jain Jyotish Pragati Aur Parampara - Book Summary

This document, "Jain Jyotish Pragati aur Parampara" by Rajendraprasad Bhatnagar, explores the history and tradition of Jain astrology. Here's a comprehensive summary:

Introduction to Indian and Jain Astrology:

Ancient Origins: Indian astrology (Jyotisha) is an extremely ancient science, originating from the study of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
Indian Foundation: The text emphasizes that India is the original inventor of astrology, a fact supported by scholars like Dr. Nemichand Shastri.
Numerical Basis: Astrology is fundamentally based on numerology, another original Indian contribution, as highlighted by Dr. Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha. The invention of the decimal system with digits 0-9 by Indians revolutionized mathematics and astrology globally.
Al-Biruni's Testimony: The Persian scholar Al-Biruni attested to the superiority of Hindus in astrology, noting their advanced numerical system extending to very large numbers like "parardha."
Two Traditions: Indian astrology has two major traditions: Vedic astrology and Jain astrology, which are ancient and parallel, influencing each other. Vedic astrology is considered one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines of the Vedas).

Jain Astrology: Origins and Literature:

Roots in Tirthankaras: Jain astrology's tradition dates back to the time of the Tirthankaras.
Agama Literature: The foundational Jain texts are the Agamas, believed to be the teachings of the Tirthankaras, compiled and organized by Ganadharas and Pratiganadharas. The current Agamas are primarily based on the teachings of the 24th Tirthankara, Mahavir.
Classification of Agamas: Jain Agamas are classified in various ways:
- Two Main Divisions: 'Purva' (earlier, now lost) and 'Anga' (major scriptures). The Purvas were 14 in number and are considered part of the 'Drishtivada,' the twelfth Anga.
- Twelve Angas: Achara, Sutrakruta, Sthana, Samavaya, Jnatrudharmakatha, Upasakadasha, Antakritadasha, Anuttaraupapatic, Prashnavyakaran, Vipaka, and Drishtivada.
- Angapravishta and Angabahya: Agamas are divided into those directly expounded by the Tirthankara (Angapravishta) and those compiled by senior monks (Angabahya).
- Four Anuyogas: Acharya Karyarakshita classified Agamas into Charana-karananuyoga, Dharmakathanuyoga, Ganitanuyoga (including astrology, mathematics, geography), and Dravyanuyoga.
- Later Classifications: Included Anga (11 or 12), Upanga (12), Mulasutra (4), Chhedasutra (6), and Prakirnaka (10), totaling 45 Agamas.
Drishtivada and its Importance: The twelfth Anga, Drishtivada, was considered the most important and contained knowledge of various sciences. Its 'Parikarma' section included linguistics, astrology, and mathematics. The first four subdivisions of Parikarma—Suryaprajñapti, Chandraprajñapti, Jambudvipa-prajñapti, and Dvipa-sagara-prajñapti—are considered the foundation of Jain astrology and mathematics.
Loss of Purvas: While the Purvas are lost, their knowledge is believed to be preserved in later works. The 'Vidyānupravāda' subdivision of the 'Purvagata' within Drishtivada discussed auspicious timings and omens based on celestial movements. The 'Kalyanavada' (or 'Abandhya') Purva specifically dealt with omens and auspicious events.

Key Jain Astronomical and Astrological Texts:

Suryaprajñapti (circa 200 BCE): Considered a foundational text in Jain astrology and mathematics. It describes the movements of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, and also discusses islands and oceans. It posits the concept of two suns and two moons moving alternately.
Chandraprajñapti: Similar to Suryaprajñapti, it details the moon's movements and its luminescence, attributing its waxing and waning to Rahu.
Jambudvipa-prajñapti: Describes the Jambudvipa continent, its mountains, rivers, and the cycle of time (Avasharpini and Utsarpini).
Ganividya: A Prakirnaka text that discusses dates, constellations, and auspicious timings.
Jyotishkarandaka (circa 300-400 BCE): An ancient text on astrology, possibly influenced by Greek astrology, presenting concepts like "Lagna" (a specific planetary position).
Lokavibhaga: A Sanskrit translation of an original Prakrit text, discussing cosmology and astronomy.
Tiloyapannatti and Trilokasara: Comprehensive works on cosmology and astronomy by Yativrishabacharya and Nemichandra Siddhantachakravarti, respectively.
Dhavala and Jayadhavala: Extensive commentaries by Acharya Virasen on the Sh Kappakhaṇḍāgama and Kashayapahuda, which contain significant discussions on mathematics and astrology. Virasen was a skilled mathematician and his commentaries are rich in numerical calculations and astronomical observations.

Branches of Jain Astrology:

The text describes the development of astrology into various branches:

Hora (Natal Astrology): Deals with predictions based on the planetary positions at the time of birth.
Ganita (Mathematical Astrology): Focuses on time calculation, solar and lunar calendars, planetary movements, and astronomical calculations.
Samhita (Mundane Astrology): Covers topics like auspicious timings for construction, land surveying, meteorology, eclipses, and planetary phenomena.
Prashna (Horary Astrology): Answers questions based on the time the question is asked, analyzing the querent's state and environment.
Nimitta (Omenology): Interprets omens, dreams, and other signs for predictive purposes.

Influence and Developments:

Influence from Greece, Arabia, and Persia: After 500 CE, Indian astrology, including Jain astrology, began to be influenced by Greek, Arab, and Persian traditions. Concepts like "Tajik" (yearly horoscopes) and "Raml" (dice divination) were incorporated.
Jain Scholars' Contributions: Jain scholars produced a vast body of work on all branches of astrology in various languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Tamil, and Kannada.
Focus on Cosmology and Time: Jain astrological texts often delve into the classification of the universe (Lokavibhaga) and the cyclical nature of time (Avasharpini and Utsarpini), linking them to astronomical phenomena.
Prominent Authors and Texts: The document lists numerous Jain scholars and their contributions to astrology, including:
- Vast Glimpse: The text provides a substantial list of authors and their works from early centuries CE to the 19th century, highlighting their specific contributions to different branches of astrology (Natal, Horary, Mundane, Mathematical, Omenology, and Samudrika Shastra).
- Key Figures: Umashwami, Kalakacharya, Haribhadra Suri, Mahaviracharya, Shridhar, Durgadev, Narapati, Narchandra Suri, Udayaprabhadev Suri, Padmaprabh Suri, Hemaprabha Suri, Narachandra Upadhyay, Thakkur Pheru, Arhaddas, Mahendra Suri, Gunakarasuri, Ratnashekhar Suri, Heermalaksh, Hemaprakasa Suri, Yashovijaygani, Vijaya Gani, Hemachandra Suri, Jinadatta Suri, Manikya Suri, Jagdev, Vardhamana Suri, and many others are mentioned with their specific works.
- Specific Works: Texts like 'Kalakasanhita', 'Lagna Shuddhi', 'Ganitasarasangraha', 'Jyotishpatala', 'Rishikasamuchaya', 'Narapati Jayacharya', 'Jyotissara', 'Arambhasi d'dhi', 'Bhuvana Deepaka', 'Trilokya Prakasha', 'Janmasamudra', 'Prashnashatak', 'Jyotisha Prakash', 'Jyotisa sara', 'Jyotisha Ratnakara', 'Vidyakara', 'Chandra Sem', 'Bhadrabahusanhita' are highlighted.

Concluding Remarks:

Unpublished Works: A significant portion of Jain astrological literature remains unpublished and exists in manuscript form in various libraries and collections.
Need for Research: The author calls for detailed analysis and research into this vast body of work to bring these valuable texts to light.

In essence, "Jain Jyotish Pragati aur Parampara" serves as a comprehensive overview of the rich and multifaceted tradition of Jain astrology, tracing its origins, major texts, key scholars, and the evolution of its various branches. It underscores the significant contributions of Jain scholars to the field of astronomy and astrology throughout history.