Jainagama Nirdeshika

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jainagama Nirdeshika" by Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jainagama Nirdeshika (जैनागम-निर्देशिका) Author: Muni Kanhaiyalal 'Kamal' (मुनि कन्हैयालाल 'कमल') Publisher: Agam Anuyog Prakashan (आगम अनुयोग प्रकाशन) Year of Publication: Vira Samvat 2462 (BE 1966 CE) Price: 25 Rupees

Core Purpose and Content:

The "Jainagama Nirdeshika" is a comprehensive subject directory of forty-five Jain Agamas (scriptures). Its primary purpose is to provide a structured and accessible guide to the vast and complex world of Jain scriptural literature, making it easier for researchers and curious individuals to navigate and understand the content of these ancient texts.

Key Features and Structure:

• Subject-wise Guidance: The book meticulously guides readers through the subject matter of 45 Agamas. It aims to provide a clear overview of what each Agama contains, facilitating quick access to information on specific topics.
• Intellectual Subtlety and Modern Methodology: The subject indexing is praised for its intellectual depth and application of modern scientific methods, making it a valuable resource for scholars.
• Bridging a Gap: The text acknowledges a long-standing need for such a directory, noting that previous efforts were fragmented. Muni Kanhaiyalal's work is considered the most significant and comprehensive attempt to fulfill this need.
• Overcoming the Challenge of Access: The Agamas are described as an "ocean of knowledge" requiring extensive time and effort to explore. This directory serves as a solution, simplifying the process of finding information without requiring deep dives into the entire scripture.
• Detailed Indexing: The book provides a detailed subject index for the 45 Agamas, along with page numbers, demonstrating its systematic approach.
• List of Agamas: The text includes a comprehensive list of the 45 Agamas, categorized into Anga Agamas, Upanga Agamas, Cheda Agamas, Mula Agamas, and Prakirna Agamas. The list includes the titles and their corresponding page numbers within the directory.
• Sources and Editions: The book also lists the various editions and commentaries of the Agamas used in its compilation, highlighting the scholarly rigor behind its creation. This includes references to works edited by renowned scholars and organizations like the Agamoday Samiti.
• Dedication: The book is dedicated to "curious individuals interested in the study of Jain Agamas."

Underlying Philosophy and Context:

• Preservation of Agamic Treasures: The publication is presented within the context of preserving the invaluable Agamic heritage. The introduction touches upon the historical challenges of maintaining the sanctity and transmission of Jain scriptures, including famines and the eventual need for transcription and wider publication.
• Promoting Swadhyay (Self-Study): The author strongly advocates for increasing the practice of swadhyay (self-study) of the Agamas. This includes establishing libraries in every religious place, encouraging study circles, and incentivizing dedicated scholars and speakers.
• Popularizing Agamas: The text emphasizes the need for scientific and popular publication of the Agamas. This involves creating various editions suitable for different audiences – large print for elders, concise versions for youth, and scholarly translations for academics.
• Global Reach: The vision extends to publishing Jain Agamas in major world languages and sharing them with research institutions globally to promote the study and understanding of Jainism.
• Composition Styles: The Agamas are noted to employ four distinct literary styles:
  • Dialogical: Question-and-answer formats, often featuring dialogues between Jain monks and other thinkers or historical figures.
  • Descriptive: Narrating the lives of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.
  • Didactic: Providing sermons and teachings.
  • Prescriptive/Prohibitive: Laying down rules and prohibitions for ascetics.
• Challenges in Subject Indexing: The author candidly discusses the difficulties encountered in subject indexing, particularly due to variations in manuscript numbering, overlapping themes within sutras, and the unavailability of perfectly critical editions for translation and commentary. Despite these challenges, meticulous effort was made to ensure comprehensiveness.

Praise and Acknowledgment:

The foreword by Upadhyay Kabirratna Shri Amarchandji Maharaj highlights the book's "detailed subject index of forty-five Jain Agamas" and its "beautiful and useful nature." He praises the subject indexing for its "intellectual subtlety and modern scientific method," making it invaluable for researchers. He emphasizes that the book provides the "simplest solution" to the difficulty of accessing information within the vast Agamic literature. The printing and external finishing are also commended for their modernity and aesthetic appeal.

Overall Significance:

"Jainagama Nirdeshika" is presented not just as a book but as a significant contribution to the propagation and preservation of Jain Agamas. It serves as an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to understand, research, or draw inspiration from the profound teachings contained within the Jain scriptures. The work is a testament to the author's dedication and scholarly endeavor in making this ancient wisdom accessible to a wider audience.