Jain Jyotish Sahitya

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain Jyotish Sahitya text by Dr. Nemichandra Shastri:

Book Title: Jain Jyotish Sahitya (Jain Astronomical Literature) Author: Dr. Nemichandra Shastri

This extensive survey, "Jain Jyotish Sahitya ka Sarvekshan" (A Survey of Jain Astronomical Literature) by Dr. Nemichandra Shastri, provides a detailed historical overview of the development and content of Jain astrology. The text traces its origins, significant texts, influential scholars, and the various branches of astrology within the Jain tradition.

Key Themes and Sections:

• Introduction to Jyotisha (Astrology): The text begins by defining Jyotisha as the science that explains the sun and other planets. It highlights humanity's ancient fascination with the celestial sphere and recounts the Jain tradition's narrative of the first sighting of the sun and moon by the first Kulakara, Pratishruti, millions of years ago, marking the beginning of astrological understanding.

• Origins and Development of Jain Jyotish:

  • Agamic Roots: The development of Jain astrology is linked to the Agamic texts, specifically the Vidyanuvadanga (for divination and prognostication) and Parikarmas (for mathematical calculations).
  • Early Mentions: The text points to ancient discussions of muhurtas (auspicious timings) in the Dhavala commentary on the Shatkhandagama, citing a list of fifteen muhurtas passed down from previous traditions.
  • Nomenclature of Nakshatras: The Prashnavyakarana is highlighted for its detailed classification of Nakshatras (lunar mansions) into Kula (main), Upakula (sub-main), and Kulopkula (sub-sub-main) categories. This system, based on the full moon of each month, was used for determining the specific predictions for that month.
  • Directional Classification: The Samavayanga describes Nakshatras associated with different directions (East, South, West, North), which is significant for astrological applications.
  • Planetary Names: The Thananga lists a remarkable 88 "Mahagrahas" (Great Planets), including the commonly known planets as well as other celestial phenomena.

• Agamic Texts and their Astrological Content:

  • Samavayanga: Discusses planetary positions, directional gateways of Nakshatras, and their astrological implications. It also mentions the auspicious and inauspicious effects of celestial conjunctions with the moon.
  • Thananga: Details the conjunctions of Nakshatras with the moon and the resulting astrological influences. It lists a vast array of planetary names.
  • Samavayanga (continued): Discusses the causes of eclipses, distinguishing between "Nirahu" (eternal Rahu) and "Parahu" (eclipsing Rahu), and explaining how Rahu and Ketu cause eclipses. It also analyzes the lengthening and shortening of days based on the sun's southward and northward journeys.
  • Tiloy-pannatti: Contains important descriptions of the celestial sphere, including the pathways of the sun and moon, Nakshatras, and day durations.

• Classification of Jain Jyotish Literature by Period: The text proposes a chronological division of Jain astronomical literature into four periods:

  • Pre-Ancient Period (Up to 300 BCE): Marked by foundational texts.
  • Early Medieval Period (300 BCE - 600 CE): Significant development in both mathematical and predictive astrology.
  • Late Medieval Period (601 CE - 1600 CE): Continued advancements and prolific writings.
  • Modern Period (1601 CE onwards): Contemporary scholars and their contributions.

• Key Texts and Authors of Different Periods:

  • Pre-Ancient Period:

    • Suryaprajnapti: An ancient Prakrit work on the sun, calculating dates and Nakshatras based on a five-year epoch.
    • Chandraprajnapti: Similar to Suryaprajnapti, but with a more detailed focus on the sun's daily movements, paths of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana, and the sun and moon's shapes and heat zones. It also includes methods for calculating day duration from shadow lengths.
    • Angavijja: Deals with divination based on bodily characteristics and other omens. It describes auspicious and inauspicious results from various signs, including celestial phenomena like eclipses, stars, and lunar phases.
    • Lokavijaya-Yantra: A Prakrit text describing techniques for predicting prosperity or famine.
    • Kalakacharya: A renowned scholar of divination and astrology, credited with significant contributions that prevented astrology from being considered a sinful science by later Jain scholars. His work is mentioned by Varahamihira.
    • Umaswati: His Tattvartha Sutra lays down the fundamental principles of Jain astrology, including the sun and planets orbiting Mount Meru.

  • Early Medieval Period:

    • Arhachudamanisara: A work on question astrology (Prashna Shastra) attributed to Bhadrabahu, though its authorship is debated and potentially belongs to a later Bhadrabahu. It discusses the classification of letters and their significance in astrological predictions.
    • Karalakshana: A concise treatise on palmistry, detailing the significance of lines on the hands for predicting fortunes and assessing the suitability of disciples for monastic life.
    • Rishiputra: Considered a prominent astrologer, possibly a descendant of the great astrologer Garga. His works influenced Varahamihira.
    • Haribhadra: Author of "Lagna Shuddhi" (Purity of Ascendant), a work on Horary astrology (Jataka Shastra) in Prakrit.
    • Mahaviracharya: A distinguished mathematician who lived during the reign of Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha. He wrote "Jyotishpatala" and "Ganitasara-Sangraha," which are significant works in mathematical astrology, covering geometry and arithmetic.
    • Chandrasena: Author of "Kevalgyan Hora," a comprehensive text that shows influence from Karnatak astrology and incorporates Kannada language. It covers various astrological topics, including planetary influences, remedies, and a wide range of specific predictions.
    • Shridhara: A learned scholar from Karnatak, he authored "Ganitasara" and "Jyotirgyanvidhi" in Sanskrit, and "Jataka Tilaka" in Kannada. His works cover advanced mathematical concepts and horary astrology.

  • Late Medieval Period:

    • Durgadeva: A famous astrologer of this period, known for "Ritthamuchchaya" (a compilation of omens) and "Ardhakanda" (analyzing market trends based on planetary yogas).
    • Mallishasena: Author of "Ayasodbhava," a compilation based on earlier Jain works, dealing with eight specific astrological indicators (Ayas).
    • Bhattavosari: Disciple of Acharya Damanaandi, author of the important question astrology text "Ayagyana Tilaka."
    • Udayaprabhadeva: Author of "Arambha Siddhi" or "Vyavaharacharya," a comprehensive work on Muhurta (auspicious timing), with a detailed commentary by Hemahamsa Gani.
    • Rajaditya: A scholar and poet, considered a leading figure in Kannada mathematics. His mathematical works include "Vyavaharaganita" and "Lilavati."
    • Padmaprabh Suri: Author of "Bhuvanadīpaka" or "Grahabhavaprakasha," a significant astrological text covering various aspects of horary astrology, predictions, and specific yogas.
    • Narcharya Upadhyaya: Author of several astrological works, including "Beda Jataka Vritti" and "Jyotishprakasha."
    • Attakavi or Arhaddasa: A Jain Brahmin scholar who wrote the important Kannada text "Attamatha" on various astrological and omen-related subjects.
    • Mahendra Suri: Author of "Yantraraja," a work on planetary calculations, considered influential and used for Panchanga (almanac) creation.
    • Bhadrabahu Samhita: An important text on Ashtanga Nimitta (eight types of omens), compiled based on the teachings of Shruta-kevali Bhadrabahu, covering a wide range of divinatory practices.
    • Samantabhadra: Author of "Kevalgyan Prashna Chudamani," a comprehensive text on question astrology.
    • Hema prabha: Author of "Trailokyaprakasha" and "Meghmala," significant works covering horary astrology, wealth prediction, and other astrological analyses.
    • Ratnasekhara Suri: Author of "Dina Shuddhi Deepika," a practical guide to determining auspicious days.
    • Thakkara Pheru: Known for his mathematical and astrological works, "Ganitasara" and "Jyotissara."
    • Harshakirti, Jinavallabha, Jayavijaya, Punyatilaka, Gargamuni, Samudra Kavi, Manasagara, Jinaseana: Other notable authors and their astrological works are mentioned.

  • Modern Period:

    • Meghavijaya Gani: A prominent astrologer of this era, known for "Megha Mahodaya" or "Varshapradbodha" (on annual predictions), "Udayadipika," "Ramal Shastra," and "Hastasamjivana" (palmistry).
    • Ubhayakushala: Author of "Vivaha Patala" (marriage Muhurta) and "Chamatkara Chintamani Taba."
    • Labdhachandra Gani: Author of "Janmapatri Paddhati" (birth chart methodology).
    • Badhati Muni: Author of "Tithisarini" and other predictive astrology texts.
    • Yashasvatasagara: A scholar of multiple disciplines, author of a commentary on "Graha Laghava" and "Yashoraja Paddhati" on birth chart creation.
    • Other scholars like Vinayakushala, Harikushala, Megharaja, Jinapala, Jayaratna, and Surachandra are also mentioned.

• Branches of Jain Astrology: The survey concludes by summarizing the key branches of Jain astrology covered:

  • Mathematical Astrology (Ganita Jyotish): Including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calendar calculations.
  • Predictive Astrology (Phalit Jyotish): Encompassing Horary astrology (Hora Shastra), Mundane astrology (Samhita), Muhurta, Palmistry (Samudrika Shastra), Question astrology (Prashna Shastra), Dream interpretation (Swapna Shastra), Divination (Nimitta Shastra), Ramal Shastra, and dice-based divination.

The text emphasizes that Jain astronomical literature is vast, with an estimated five hundred texts identified, and its study continues through research and the creation of new compilations. Dr. Shastri's work provides a comprehensive roadmap for understanding the rich and ancient tradition of Jain astrology.