Jainendra Mahavrutti

The provided text is the beginning of the "Jainendra Mahavrutti," a commentary on the "Jainendra Vyakarana" (Jainendra Grammar). Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided pages, highlighting the key information:

Title and Authorship:

• The book is titled "Jainendra Mahavrutti" (जैनेन्द्रमहावृत्तिः).
• It is a commentary (टीका) on the "Jainendra Vyakarana" (जैनेन्द्रव्याकरणम्).
• The "Jainendra Vyakarana" was authored by Pujyapada Devanandi Maharaj (पूज्यपाद-देवनन्दिविरचितं).
• The commentary, "Jainendra Mahavrutti," was composed by Acharya Abhaynandi (तस्य टीका आचार्य-अभयनन्दिप्रणीता).
• The book itself is published by Bharatiya Gyanpith (भारतीयज्ञानपीठ).

Publication Details:

• The publication is part of the "Jnanapeetha Murti Devi Jain Granthamala" (ज्ञानपीठमूर्तिदेवीजैनग्रन्थमाला), specifically Sanskrit Granthank 17 (संस्कृत ग्रन्थाङ्क १७).
• The first edition was published in November 1956 (मार्गशीर्ष वीर नि० सं० २४८३ वि० सं० २०१३) by Bharatiya Jnana Pitha Kashi (भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ काशी).
• The editor was Pandit Shambhunath Tripathi (सम्पादक पण्डित शम्भुनाथ त्रिपाठी), and the assistant editor was Pandit Mahadev Chaturvedi (सहायक पण्डित महादेव चतुर्वेदी).
• The price of the book was Rs. 15/- (मूल्य १५ रु०).
• The book was founded in memory of late Shrimati Murtidevi, mother of Seth Shanti Prasad Jain, by Seth Shanti Prasad Jain himself.

Content and Purpose of the Granthamala:

• The "Jnanapeetha Murti Devi Jain Granthamala" aims to publish Jain literature critically edited in various languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha, Hindi, Kannada, and Tamil.
• The published works will cover Agamic, philosophical, Pauranic, literary, and historical subjects.
• They will include original texts, translations, catalogues of Jain Bhandaras, inscriptions, and studies by competent scholars.

Significance of Jainendra Vyakarana and Mahavrutti:

• Jainendra Vyakarana holds a prominent place in Indian grammatical literature and is highly renowned within Jain literature. It is even mentioned by scholars of other traditions alongside ancient grammarians like Shakatayana and Panini.
• The grammar has two sutra traditions and a commentary (Mahavrutti) of twelve thousand verses (श्लोक प्रमाण).
• Historically, a complete edition of the Jainendra Vyakarana from Kashi was not published, with a previous edition from around forty years prior only publishing five chapters and three sections. This new edition aims to fulfill the long-standing need for a complete and accurate version.
• The current edition has utilized numerous ancient handwritten manuscripts from Kashi and Pune for textual correction and includes the complete Mahavrutti by Abhaynandi.

Introduction/Foreword (Bhumika by Dr. Vasudevsharan Agarwal and article by Pt. Nathuram Premi):

• Pt. Nathuram Premi's article, originally written in 1921 for the first Kashi edition and revised in 1942 and 1956, provides historical information about the text and its author.
• Dr. Vasudevsharan Agarwal, a renowned scholar of grammar, particularly its historical aspects, has provided a detailed introduction. His introduction highlights:
  • The ancient and esteemed position of grammar in Indian knowledge systems.
  • The foundational role of Sanskrit grammarians in the world for meticulously analyzing language structure.
  • Panini's Ashtadhyayi as a comprehensive work on both Vedic and secular Sanskrit.
  • The lineage of grammarians, referencing a famous verse listing Indra, Chandra, Kashakritsna, Apishali, Shakatayana, Panini, Amara, and Jainendra.
  • The historical context of Sanskrit grammar, noting that grammar study was widespread before Panini, with the mention of 64 acharyas in the Pratisakhyas, Nirukta, and Ashtadhyayi.
  • The emergence of new grammars after the Kushan period when Sanskrit regained prominence, leading to the creation of Chandra's grammar by Chandragomi and Jainendra's grammar by Pujyapada Devanandi during the Gupta era (around the 5th century CE).
  • The dating of Devanandi, placing him in the late 5th century CE based on various evidences, including his disciples and references to other scholars like Siddhasena Divakara and Samantabhadra.
  • Jainendra Vyakarana's close adherence to Panini's grammatical framework, omitting only Vedic and phonetic aspects deemed irrelevant for its time.
  • The likely existence of a separate Ganapatha for Jainendra, now preserved within Abhaynandi's Mahavrutti.
  • How Devanandi incorporated Varttikas and Bhashyas from Katyayana and Patanjali into his sutras, contributing to its popularity.
  • The two traditions of Jainendra sutra texts, one with 3,000 sutras and another with about 700 more.
  • The Mahavrutti of Abhaynandi, a large work of about 12,000 verses, being similar in scope to Katyashika.
  • Abhaynandi's inclusion of unique examples, sometimes incorporating names of Jain Tirthankaras and great figures, and his analysis of grammatical concepts like the meaning of 'prabhuta' and the existence of texts like 'Mahabandha.'
  • The Mahavrutti's potential use of Katyashika and its own contribution of preserving older grammatical material and Jain-specific examples.
  • Devanandi's adaptation of Panini's Ashtadhyayi into a Panchadhyayi structure, simplifying complex grammatical terms and omitting Vedic/Chhandas sections, while still retaining important Vedic terms.
  • Devanandi's mastery of Panini, Katyayana, and Patanjali, as well as Jain dharma and philosophy.
  • The historical context of grammatical resurgence during the Gupta period, with Jainendra and Chandra's grammars being significant developments.
  • The meticulous preservation of ancient material by these commentators.
  • The detailed textual analysis of various manuscripts and the specific features of the current edition, including improvements and added appendices.
  • The inclusion of important historical references in Abhaynandi's Mahavrutti, such as the mention of King Mahendra in relation to the Yavanas' invasion of Mathura, corroborating historical accounts and providing insights into the language of the time.
  • The text also delves into the controversy surrounding the author of the 'Aindra' grammar and its relation to 'Jainendra,' highlighting the efforts to establish Devanandi as the author of the Jainendra Vyakarana.

Key Sections and Discussions:

• The Introduction (Bhumika): This section sets the stage, emphasizing the importance of grammar in Indian scholarship and introducing Jainendra Vyakarana as a significant work. It also discusses the historical context and the scholarly efforts behind this new publication.
• Manuscript Analysis (Prati-Parichay): Several manuscripts ('प्रति') are described, noting their source (e.g., Saraswati Bhavan, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute), their completeness or incompleteness, size, script details, and colophonic information about the scribe and date of writing. This highlights the rigorous editorial process.
• Historical Context of Sanskrit Grammar: Dr. Vasudevsharan Agarwal's detailed introduction traces the evolution of Sanskrit grammar from pre-Panini scholars to the Gupta period, placing Jainendra Vyakarana within its historical and linguistic context.
• Jainendra Vyakarana's Structure and Content: The text explains how Jainendra Vyakarana is based on Panini's Ashtadhyayi but omits certain Vedic and phonetic sections. It also discusses the two known traditions of the sutra text.
• Abhaynandi's Mahavrutti: The commentary is described as extensive and comparable to Katyashika, incorporating valuable material from various sources, including some unique examples relevant to Jain traditions. It also touches upon Abhaynandi's own scholarly contributions and dating.
• Discussion on Specific Grammatical Concepts: The text touches upon various grammatical concepts discussed in the works, such as 'pratyaharas' (phonetic groupings), 'vibhakti' (case endings), 'ekashesha' (one-ending rule), 'sandhi' (euphony), and the use of specific examples from Jain texts within the commentary.
• Scholarly Contributions: The preface acknowledges the significant contributions of scholars like Pt. Nathuram Premi and Dr. Vasudevsharan Agarwal in establishing the historical context and importance of the Jainendra Vyakarana and its commentary.
• Appendices: The publication includes various appendices for scholarly use, such as an alphabetical index of sutras, Varttikas, definitions, Ganapatha, Samjna lists, comparative sutra lists with Panini, and the 'Dhu Patha'.

Overall Summary:

The provided pages introduce the "Jainendra Mahavrutti," a crucial commentary on the Jainendra Vyakarana, published by Bharatiya Gyanpith. It highlights the historical significance of Jainendra Vyakarana as a major work in Indian grammar, its author Devanandi, and the extensive commentary by Abhaynandi. The introduction emphasizes the rigorous editorial process, the use of ancient manuscripts, and the broader aim of the Jnanapeetha Murti Devi Jain Granthamala to make valuable Jain texts accessible. It also delves into the historical development of Sanskrit grammar, dating Devanandi and placing his work within the context of the Gupta period's linguistic and philosophical achievements. The detailed analysis of the manuscripts and the specific grammatical points discussed underscore the scholarly importance of this publication for understanding the evolution of Sanskrit grammar from a Jain perspective.