Jinanamavali Shakti ManiKosa

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the Jinanamavali section of the Jinanamavali Shakti ManiKosa:

This document is an excerpt from a publication, likely a commemorative volume, celebrating the silver jubilee of the "Jinavani Jirnoddhar Sanstha" (Institution for the Renovation of Jinavani) and honoring Acharya Shantisagar Maharaj's birth centenary. The central piece discussed and presented is the Jinanamavali by Acharya Amritchandra Suri, a renowned commentator of the Samaysara.

Key Points and Summary:

• Discovery of the Text: The introduction highlights the fortunate rediscovery of Laghu-tattva-sphota (also known as Shakti-mani-kosa) by Acharya Amritchandra Suri. This significant work was previously unknown even within the Digambara tradition. Its only known palm-leaf manuscript was located in the Dala Bhandar of a Shvetambara Jain temple in Ahmedabad. The author notes that Muni Shri Punyavijayji, instrumental in the discovery of the manuscript of Acharya Akalankadeva's Pramanasamgraha, facilitated the copying and editing of this new work.
• Significance of Laghu-tattva-sphota: The entire Laghu-tattva-sphota is described as a grand stotra (hymn) containing 625 verses. It is praised for its insightful and "juice-filled" exposition of Jain philosophy, particularly anekanta (non-absolutism or multi-sidedness). The language is described as scholarly and somewhat difficult.
• The Jinanamavali Section: The introduction explicitly states that at the beginning of Laghu-tattva-sphota, the Jinanamavali is presented. This section skillfully enumerates the names of the Twenty-four Tirthankaras.
• Purpose of the Jinanamavali: The Jinanamavali is presented as an essential part of Jain devotional practice (devapuja). It is noted that other Jain works, such as Swami Samantabhadra's Brihat Swayambhu Stotra, also contain considerable philosophical discussion. The Jinanamavali by Acharya Amritchandra Suri follows this tradition by expounding the anekantatmaka sad-dravya (the substantial reality as characterized by non-absolutism).
• Philosophical Content (from the verses): The provided verses (Page 2 onwards) exemplify the philosophical depth of the Jinanamavali. They explore various dualities and paradoxes that highlight the nature of the soul and the Tirthankaras, in line with anekanta. Examples include:
  • The nature of the Divine: Verses explore the Tirthankaras' nature as both immanent and transcendent, all-pervading yet distinct, and the source of light and knowledge without being solely a projector or the projected.
  • Duality and Non-duality: Concepts like vachaka-vachya (speaker-spoken), sat-asat (being-non-being), dvaita-advaita (duality-non-duality), and nitya-anitya (eternal-non-eternal) are brought together to describe the unified, multi-faceted reality (anekantatmaka sad-dravya).
  • Paradoxical Attributes: The verses use paradoxes to describe the Tirthankaras, such as being infinite yet also the source of limitation, full yet also empty, eternal yet also undergoing change, and existing yet not existing in the conventional sense. This reflects the anekanta perspective that absolute descriptions often fail to capture the true nature of reality.
  • The nature of Existence and Consciousness: The verses delve into the nature of self, consciousness (chit), and the ultimate reality.
• Commemorative Context: The publication of this work is seen as a fitting tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Jinavani Jirnoddhar Sanstha and the birth centenary of Acharya Shantisagar Maharaj, aiming to bring a portion of this "unknown" scripture to light. The hope is expressed that scholars will read, contemplate, and discuss this work.

In essence, this document introduces and presents the Jinanamavali by Acharya Amritchandra Suri, a crucial part of his work Laghu-tattva-sphota. It highlights the text's significance in enumerating the Tirthankaras and its deep philosophical exploration of Jain principles, particularly anekanta, through the skillful use of paradoxical descriptions and dialectical reasoning. The publication serves as a tribute to Jain scholarship and spiritual heritage.