Jainology Parichaya 05

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This book, "Jainology Parichaya 05," published by Sanmati Tirth Prakashan Pune, serves as the fifth installment in a series introducing fundamental aspects of Jainism. Edited by Dr. Nalini Joshi, with co-editors Dr. Kaumudi Baldota and Dr. Anita Bothra, the book aims to provide valuable information for students and educators.

The book covers a diverse range of topics within Jainology, presented in a structured manner. The Editorial section highlights the intention to present something new each year. This particular volume focuses on:

• The fascinating story of King Kumarpal of Gujarat and his influential preceptor, Acharya Hemchandra. This is presented in a serial format.
• The contribution of Jains to the development of Indian art. This is discussed concisely.
• The significance of the Tattvarthasutra, a pivotal Jain philosophical text, including its background.
• The ethical values presented by Acharya Somdev in his Sanskrit work, "Niti Vakyaratnam," addressing the modern inclination of Jain youth towards universal ethical principles.
• Further elaboration on Prakrit grammar, building upon previous volumes.
• Three Prakrit prose texts with Hindi translations, including two engaging stories and a brief biography of Lord Mahavir.

The book is structured into several key sections:

1. Jainology - General Information Department:

• Acharya Hemchandra and King Kumarpal: This section details the life of Acharya Hemchandra, his journey from his childhood name Changdev to becoming a renowned scholar and Acharya. It chronicles his influence on King Siddharaj Jaisingh and subsequently on King Kumarpal of Gujarat. The text emphasizes Hemchandra's scholarly achievements, including his comprehensive grammar "Siddha Haima Shabdanushasana," and his role in promoting Ahimsa and other ethical principles during Kumarpal's reign. Kumarpal's patronage of Jainism, leading to Gujarat becoming an "ideal Jain state," and the legendary joint legacy of "Maharishi-Rajrishi" are highlighted.

• Jains' Contribution to Indian Art: This section emphasizes the significant impact of Jains on Indian art, beyond their contributions to philosophy and literature. It explores the Jain approach to aesthetics and their involvement in various art forms. The text discusses Jain contributions in:

  • Architecture: Highlighting Jain stupas (like those in Mathura), caves (like Barabar, Nagarjunikonda, Udayagiri, Khandagiri, Ellora, Ankai-Tankai), and temples (mentioning examples from Badami, Aihole, Halebidu, Deogarh, Khajuraho, Muktagiri, Sonagiri, Osian, Sadri, Ranakpur, and Mount Abu). The intricate carvings and architectural styles are described.
  • Sculpture: Discussing the presence of Jain sculptures from ancient times, including claims about Indus Valley artifacts, and mentioning notable examples like the Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola. It also touches upon the depiction of Yakshas and Yakshinis.
  • Painting: Detailing Jain miniature paintings, murals in caves (Sitannavasal), manuscript illustrations on palm-leaf and paper, and paintings on wood and cloth. The richness and beauty of Jain manuscript art are praised.

• Background of Tattvarthasutra: This section introduces the Tattvarthasutra as the first Sanskrit text summarizing Jain philosophy, compiled by Acharya Umaswati in the 4th century CE. It explains how Umaswati aimed to make Jain teachings accessible to those familiar with Sanskrit philosophical texts. The book then provides a detailed chapter-wise summary of the Tattvarthasutra, covering:

  • Chapter 1: Knowledge: Discussing types of knowledge (Mati, Shrut, Avadhi, Manahparyaya, Kevala) and the concepts of Naya, Syadvada, and Anekantavada.
  • Chapter 2: Soul (Jiva): Describing the nature of the soul, its states (Upashamik, Kshayik, etc.), its characteristics (Upayoga), classifications (Samsari, Mukta, Samin, Asamin, Sthavar, Tras), and the concepts of rebirth, bodies (Audarik, Vaikriya, etc.), and genders.
  • Chapter 3: Lower and Middle World: Explaining the Jain cosmology of hellish beings (Naraka), and the inhabitants of the middle world (humans and animals), including geographical concepts like Jambudvipa and Mount Meru.
  • Chapter 4: Heavenly Beings (Deva Loka): Describing the heavens, types of celestial beings (Bhavanpati, Vyantar, Jyotishka, Vaimanika), their residences, and their temporary existence based on karmic merit.
  • Chapter 5: Non-Soul (Ajiva): Discussing the five Astikayas (Jiva, Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Pudgala) and the six Dravy as, explaining the concepts of substance, qualities, and modes, and the atomic theory.
  • Chapter 6: Influx of Karmas (Asrava): Defining Yoga ( Kaya, Vacha, Manasa) as the cause of Asrava and the inflow of karmic particles, leading to merit (Punya) and demerit (Papa).
  • Chapter 7: Vows (Vratas): Explaining the vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha) as essential for spiritual progress, differentiating between minor vows (Anuvratas) for householders and major vows (Mahavratas) for ascetics. It also touches upon ethical virtues and the duties of householders.
  • Chapter 8: Bondage of Karmas (Bandha): Detailing the causes of karmic bondage (Kashaya, Yoga), and the four types of bondage: Prakriti-bandha, Pradesh-bandha, Sthiti-bandha, and Anubhava-bandha.
  • Chapter 9: Cessation and Shedding of Karmas (Samvara-Nirjara): Explaining Samvara (cessation of new karmas) through Gupti, Samiti, Dharma, Anupreksha, Parishahajaya, and Charitra, and Nirjara (shedding of existing karmas) through Tapasya and meditation.
  • Chapter 10: Liberation (Moksha): Describing the process of achieving Moksha by eradicating all eight types of karmas, leading to the eternal liberation of the soul and its abode on Siddhashila.

• Somadeva's Niti Vakyaratnam (Selected Excerpts and Explanations): This section focuses on the ethical and political wisdom of Acharya Somadeva, a 10th-century Digambara scholar. It highlights Niti Vakyaratnam as a seminal work in Sanskrit that blends ethics, economics, and politics. The text analyzes selected verses related to Dharma, Artha, and Kama, emphasizing universal ethical values. Key themes include:

  • Dharma: Defining dharma as that which leads to both worldly prosperity (Abhyudaya) and spiritual liberation (Nihshreyasa). It stresses the importance of equanimity towards all beings.
  • Artha: Discussing the acquisition, protection, and growth of wealth, and defining "Tirtha" as individuals who aid in religious and practical endeavors. It also categorizes individuals based on their financial practices (Tadātvika, Mūlahara, Kadarya).
  • Kama: Advising the pursuit of pleasure in accordance with dharma and artha, and the importance of controlling the senses. It also touches upon the significance of studying economics and the value of monogamy. The concept of a balanced approach to the three Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama) is presented.

2. Prakrit Grammar Department:

• Vocabulary of the Prakrit Language: This section introduces Prakrit as a collective term for the various spoken languages of ancient India. It explains the evolution from Vedic Sanskrit to Classical Sanskrit and then to Prakrit, with subsequent development into Apabhramsha and modern Indian languages. It differentiates between Aryan and Dravidian language families. The classification of Prakrit vocabulary into Tatsama (Sanskrit-like), Tadbhava (derived from Sanskrit), and Deshya (indigenous) words is explained with numerous examples.

• Sound and Consonant Changes in Prakrit: This chapter details common phonetic changes from Sanskrit to Prakrit.

  • Vowel Changes: Explains the simplification of diphthongs like 'Ai' to 'e' or 'ai' and 'Au' to 'o' or 'au'. It also covers the replacement of visarga with 'o' and the various transformations of 'Ri' (to a, i, u, ri).
  • Consonant Changes: Discusses the replacement of 'Sh' and 'Ṣa' with 'S', the absence of 'ḷa', 'kṣa', and 'jña' in Prakrit, and the variations in the pronunciation of consonants at the beginning, middle, and end of words. It provides examples of changes like k → kh, g → gh, c → t, j → jh, t → c/ch/ṭ, d → ḍ, n → ṇ, p → ph, y → j/t/l, ś/ṣ/s → ch, and the phenomenon of 'y' shruti and 'h' shruti.

• Suffixes for Nouns (Verb Declension): This section provides declension tables for masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns in Prakrit, showcasing nominative, accusative, instrumental, ablative, genitive, locative, and vocative cases in singular and plural forms.

• Verb Suffixes: This part explains the conjugation of verbs in different tenses (Present, Past, Future) and moods (Imperative, Potential) in Prakrit, with examples of verb conjugations for "Puchchha" (to ask), "Kara" (to do), "Pasa" (to see), "Bhana" (to speak), and "Pala" (to protect).

• Indeclinables (Avyaya) in Prakrit: This section focuses on two types of verbal indeclinables:

  • Past Gerunds: Explains the formation and usage of words indicating a prior action, with examples like "pasīūṇa" (having seen), "karitā" (having done).
  • Infinitive Forms: Describes the formation of infinitive verbs indicating purpose, using suffixes like "-iūṃ" and "-e" (e.g., "gacchīūṃ" - to go, "kāuṃ" - to do). It clarifies the function of these forms in showing the intent of an action.

3. Prakrit Prose Department:

• Chhata Pariksha (The Test of the Students): This is a story illustrating the concept of true understanding and adherence to principles. It tells of a Brahmin who sets a seemingly absurd condition (killing a white goat in secret) for teaching Vedanta. One student performs the act literally, while the other, realizing the underlying principle of secrecy and introspection, abstains. The latter is recognized as the true disciple. The tale emphasizes that true knowledge involves understanding the intent, not just the literal action, and highlights the importance of non-violence in spiritual pursuits.
• Mushaga Vaggho (The Mouse and the Tiger): This story demonstrates the principle of "appropriateness" in kindness. A compassionate monk repeatedly transforms a mouse into higher forms of life (cat, dog, tiger) to protect it. However, when the tiger, out of its own nature, tries to harm the monk, the monk reverts it to a mouse. The story conveys that misplaced kindness or kindness without considering the recipient's inherent nature can be detrimental and that gratitude is a virtue.
• Bhagavan Mahaviro (Lord Mahavir): This section provides a brief biographical sketch of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara. It covers his birth, parents (Siddhartha and Trishala), childhood name (Vardhamana), renunciation at age 30, ascetic practices for 12 years, attainment of Kevala Jnana, and his teachings. His disciples (Gautama and others), his travels, and his final liberation (Nirvana) at Pavapuri are mentioned. The core of his teachings, such as the soul being its own maker and destroyer, its role as friend or foe, the connection between actions and their consequences, the importance of actions over birth, the desire for happiness by all living beings, and the supreme dharma of Ahimsa, are summarized.

In essence, "Jainology Parichaya 05" is a comprehensive introductory text that aims to equip readers with knowledge about key figures, artistic contributions, philosophical texts, ethical principles, and the linguistic nuances of Prakrit within the Jain tradition. It emphasizes the practical application of Jain philosophy in daily life and the enduring legacy of Jain scholars and rulers.