Jain Jyotish Sahitya Ek Chintan

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain Jyotish Sahitya Ek Chintan by Kasturchand Kasliwal, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Jain Jyotish Sahitya Ek Chintan (A Contemplation on Jain Astronomical and Astrological Literature) Author: Jyotishacharya Upadhyaya, Pt. Pravar, Shri Kasturchand Ji Maharaj Publisher: Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf (Part of Jain Education International)

This essay by Pt. Kasturchand Kasliwal offers a detailed overview and appreciation of the vast and diverse body of astronomical and astrological literature produced within the Jain tradition. The author emphasizes that Jain scholars, known as "Jain munis" and "Jain thinkers," have contributed significantly to almost every field of knowledge, including the intricate science of Jyotish (astronomy and astrology).

Key Points and Themes:

• Universality of Jain Scholarship: Kasliwal begins by highlighting the comprehensive nature of Jain literary output, stating that there is no subject that Jain sages have not written about. This includes religion, philosophy, history, geography, cosmology, literature, culture, arts, sciences, and narratives. Specifically, he points to Jain contributions in Ayurveda, Jyotish, prosody, poetics, lexicography, divination (nimitta), omens (shakun), dreams, palmistry, economics, ethics, architecture, gemology, numismatics, metallurgy, and biology, asserting that Jain thinkers have always striven to reach the depths of any subject they addressed.

• Origins and Core Texts of Jain Jyotish:

  • Jyotish is defined as the science that provides knowledge of celestial bodies like the Sun and planets and the understanding of time.
  • Jain tradition traces the origin of astronomical knowledge to the time of the first "Kulakara," Pratishruta, who explained the solar system to awe-struck humans observing the sun and moon. While the current Jyotish has evolved, its roots lie in this ancient knowledge.
  • The earliest mention of Jyotish in Jain scriptures is in the Drishtivada, which is now lost.
  • The currently available Agamas that detail Jyotish are Suryaprajnapti and Chandraprajnapti.
    • Suryaprajnapti describes the celestial cycle of the Sun and other luminaries. It is considered scientifically significant, containing detailed cosmological principles, advanced mathematics, and astronomical science. Dr. Winternitz and Dr. Schubring are cited for their appreciation of its scientific and logical underpinnings. It describes the Sun's path, lifespan, family, and the movement of constellations, lunar days (tithis), and months within a five-year cycle. It also details the Sun's daily path and the routes of Uttarayana (northward movement) and Dakshinayana (southward movement), specifying the movements of the Sun and Moon.
    • Chandraprajnapti similarly describes the celestial cycle of the Moon and others, but is considered even more important. It elaborates on the structure of the Sun and Moon, classifying them into "Vimana Sansthan" (celestial abode structure) and "Prakashit Kshetra Sansthan" (illuminated area structure), mentioning sixteen differing viewpoints on these. It also describes the illuminated and heated areas of each sphere, as well as the unilluminated areas, and quantifies the Sun's upward, downward, and oblique heated zones.
  • Chhayasadhana (shadow calculation) is discussed in Chandraprajnapti, from which the duration of the day is derived. The text poses and answers questions about the proportion of the day passed or remaining based on shadow length, offering precise calculations related to "ardha purusha praman" (half-person height) shadow. It also details how to determine the day's length from the shadows of spherical, triangular, long, and quadrilateral objects. The text also lists constellations that align with the Moon for specific durations and describes the Moon as self-luminous, explaining its phases and the distances of planets from Earth.

• Further Scriptural Mentions and Details:

  • Sthananga and Sama-vayanga also contain astronomical information, including constellations that "touch" (sparsha-yoga) the Moon. Sthananga mentions the names of 88 planets.
  • Sama-vayanga elaborates on 88 "Mahagraha" (great planets) in the family of the Sun and Moon.
  • Prashnavyakarana discusses nine planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu) and categorizes constellations into "Kula," "Upakula," and "Kulopkula" based on their association with the full moon of specific months. This classification is used to predict the results of the month. It also discusses seasons, solar ingress, months, lunar fortnights, and lunar days.
  • Sama-vayanga further describes the constellations based on their direction (east, south, west, north) and their effects. It also analyzes the causes of eclipses, classifying Rahu into "Nityapara" and "Parva Rahu" and identifying Ketu as the cause of solar eclipses. It also discusses the increase and decrease of daylight.
  • These discussions are noted as being very ancient, suggesting Jain Jyotish predates Greek influence.

• Post-Agamic Literature and Key Works: Kasliwal then delves into important post-Agamic works on Jyotish:

  • Jyotish Karandaka: A significant work, with a commentary by Padaliptasuri, although the original commentary may be lost. It describes "ayana" (ecliptic path), constellations, and "lagna" (ascendant), with the "lagna nirupan pranali" (method of ascendant determination) being considered novel and original.
  • Angavidya: A crucial text on physiognomy and prognostication, filled with cultural material. It predicts good and bad fortunes based on body features, omens, and human actions. It identifies eight bases for prediction: body parts, voice, characteristics, auspicious signs, dreams, sneezes, terrestrial signs, and atmospheric signs. It details 60 chapters, including an analysis of ascendants, auspicious timings for various activities, and predictions for return journeys. It also covers predictions based on phenomena like rainbows, lightning, eclipses, and meteor showers, and the auspicious/inauspicious results of 27 constellations. The last chapter even offers a method to know past lives.
  • Ganividya: Another important work on astronomical science, discussing day, tithi, constellation, karana, planetary days, muhurta, omens, ascendant, and nimitta. The author here states that day, tithi, constellation, and karana progressively gain strength.
  • Tattvartha Sutra by Acharya Umaswati is mentioned for its discussion of planets, constellations, and stars, positing Mount Sumeru as the center of planetary movement.
  • Other important discussions on Jyotish are found in commentaries like Niyukti, Churni, Bhashya, and Vritti.
  • Jyotissara by Thakkar Pheru: Discusses "siddhi yoga" in days, tithis, and constellations, and includes the positional status of planets, their rising and setting, and the number of retrograde days. It is based on the works of various ancient scholars.
  • Lagnashuddhi attributed to Acharya Haribhadra: Discusses various aspects of purity related to planetary transits, days, tithis, constellations, yoga, auspicious timings, etc.
  • Sugan Dinashuddhi by Acharya Ratnashekhar: Discusses the purity of planets, tithis, ascendants, hours, directions, and constellations.
  • Kaal Samhita by Acharya Kalaka: Mentioned by Varahamihira, and its knowledge is evident from other works like Nishith Churni.
  • Bhuvan Deepaka by Padmaprabhasuri: A significant work on Jyotish.
  • Prapaddhati by Harishchandra Mani.
  • Bhuvan Deepaka Vritti by Acharya Singh Tilak, Muni Hemtilak, and others.
  • Arambhasiddhi by Acharya Udayaprabha: A Sanskrit work with eleven chapters on auspicious and inauspicious timings for various activities like travel, construction, etc. Hem Hansgani wrote a commentary on this.
  • Bhadravah Samhita: The author notes that the Sanskrit version available today is likely not by Bhadrabahu himself, with dating estimations placing it much later due to its language and metrical inaccuracies.
  • Jyotissara by Maladhari Acharya Narchandra: Discusses 48 topics including tithi, day, constellation, yoga, rashi, lunar strength, etc. A commentary on this work by Muni Sagarchandra is also mentioned.
  • Janma Samudra by Upadhyaya Narchandra: A symbolic text divided into eight sections, analyzing fetal development, birth conditions, astrological yogas for fortune, renunciation, wealth, and destiny. It also deals with the results of ascendants and the Moon.
  • Upadhyaya Narchandra also wrote other important astrological works like Prashna Shataka, Jnana Chaturvishika, Lagna Vichar, Jyotish Prakash, and Jnana Deepika, many of which are unpublished.
  • Jyotissara Sangraha by Acharya Harshakirti: Also known for "Janmapatri Paddhati." Another work by Labdhichandragani by the same name clarifies astrological calculations. Muni Mahimoday also wrote a work with this title.
  • Upadhyaya Yashovijayji wrote Phalaphal Vishayak Prashnapatra, a work on predictive astrology.
  • Upadhyaya Meghavijayji's works include Udaya Deepika, Prashna Sundari, and Varsha Prabodha, containing astrological discussions.
  • Muni Megharatna's Uttaralabayantra is useful for determining latitude and longitude and celestial angles.
  • Muni Mahimoday's Jyotish-Ratnakara is a valuable work on Samhita, Muhurta, and Jataka. His Panchanga-Anayan-Vidhi assists in almanac calculations. Both are unpublished.
  • Vagji Muni's Tithi Sarini and Muni Yashasvatsagar's Yashoraj-Paddhati are also mentioned.
  • Acharya Mamma's Trailokya Prakasha is a distinguished astrological composition.
  • An anonymous Prakrit work named Joishhir discusses auspicious tithis, planetary strength, and auspicious timings. Muni Harikalash also wrote a work of the same name in Rajasthani.
  • Various other "Panchanga" related works like Panchanga Tattva, Panchanga Tithi Vivaran, etc., by unknown authors are noted. Sumatiharsa wrote commentaries on popular astrological texts like Jataka Paddhati, Tajika Sara, Karana Kutuhala, and Hora Makaranda.
  • Numerous other commentaries on various astrological treatises are listed, such as Mahadevisarani, Vivaha Patala, Graha Laghava, Chandrarki, Shatpanchashika, Bhuvan Deepaka, Chamatkara Chintamani, Vasanta Raja Shakun, etc., all of which are significant contributions by Jain scholars.

• Scope and Significance: Kasliwal concludes by stating that Jain literature extensively covers mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, combinatorics, almanac construction, birth chart construction) and predictive astrology (Hora Shastra, Muhurta, Samudrika Shastra, Prashna Shastra, Svapna Shastra, Nimitta Shastra, Ramala Shastra, dice divination). He estimates that researchers have found over five hundred Jain Jyotish texts. He reiterates that while the Agamas provided a concise overview, later Acharyas and authors expanded upon these topics in their own styles. The sheer volume of this literature is so vast that a detailed analysis would constitute a monumental work on Jyotish itself. The author's intention was to offer a brief glimpse into the extensive work done by Jain scholars in the field of Jyotish.