Karmgranthonu Sampadan - Book Summary

This document is a preface to the second volume of a new edition of Jain Karmagranthas (texts on Karma). The preface was written by Punyavijayji (implied by the publisher name and context).

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text, focusing on the Jain concepts and details:

1. Scope of the Second Volume:

The second volume of Karmagranthas contains two significant texts:
- Shataka (शतक): The fifth Karmagrantha, authored by Acharya Devendrasuri of the Tapagachcha lineage, with its commentary.
- Sattari (सत्तरि): The sixth Karmagrantha, with a commentary by Acharya Malayagiri.
These texts were previously published by Shri Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha, Bhavnagar, but are now out of print. This new edition aims to make them accessible again.

2. Scholarly Contributions in the New Edition:

Ancient Manuscripts: This edition utilizes the oldest available palm-leaf and paper manuscripts for research.
Commentary References: It includes notations for the locations of scriptural proofs cited by the commentators within their commentaries.
Prakrit Text: Shadow copies of the Prakrit texts are provided.
Ancillary Materials: To aid readers, the volume includes:
- Index of Subjects (विषय अनुक्रम): At the beginning, providing a detailed breakdown of the contents.
- Appendices (परिशिष्ट): Four appendices at the end:
  - Appendix 1: An alphabetical index of scriptural prose and verse quotations used by the commentators.
  - Appendices 2 & 3: Lists of texts and authors mentioned in the commentaries.
  - Appendix 4: A glossary (कोष) of technical terms found in the fifth and sixth Karmagranthas and their commentaries, with references to their location.

3. Special Note on Digambara Scriptures:

An important note, titled "एष कर्मग्रन्थे गाथावारं विविध विषये समपणेवा विषमपणेवा दिगम्बरीये शास्त्रमध्ये वर्तमाने स्थानी निः" (Where various subjects appearing verse-by-verse in Karmagrantha are found similarly or differently in Digambara scriptures), is included at the beginning.
This scholarly note, prepared by the learned Digambara scholar Pandit Shri Mahendrakumarji, suggests new avenues for dedicated students of Karmagranthas by cross-referencing topics with Digambara texts.

4. Focus on the Sixth Karmagrantha (Sattari):

The preface clarifies that while the first volume's preface by Chaturvijayji Maharaj provided a detailed introduction to Acharya Devendrasuri and the five Karmagranthas, this preface will primarily focus on the sixth Karmagrantha (Sattari) and its author.

5. The Name "Sattari" and Verse Count:

The sixth Karmagrantha is named Sattari (सत्तरि) because it originally contained seventy (सत्तर) verses (Gathas).
The current publication contains 72 verses of the Sattari. The author clarifies that the last two verses might be supplementary.
The original edition by Shri Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha contained three additional verses not present in this edition: "वयं नव तुन्न अट्ठo" (6), "वासपासफू सवा" (48), and "मपुथारू तज" (58).
The preface thoroughly analyzes these extra verses:
- "वयं नव तुन्न" (6) is considered a marginal note by a scholar regarding the sub-types of the eight karmas.
- "मपुथारू तज" (58) is identified as a repetition of the seventieth verse and is deemed redundant.
- The preface strongly argues that the verses "वयं नव तुन्न" and "मपुथारू तज" are not part of the original composition by the author of Sattari. They are argued to be extraneous based on manuscript evidence, commentary analysis, and the inconsistent flow of the text. The original Sattari is concluded to have exactly 70 verses, with 72 verses in this publication being the original 70 plus two additional ones.

6. Language and Meter:

Like most works by Jain Acharyas aiming for public welfare, the Sattari Karmagrantha is composed in Prakrit language and the Arya meter (आर्या छंद), which were considered suitable for general understanding and literary composition.

7. Authorship of the Sattari Text:

The authorship of the Sattari Karmagrantha is a point of contention and debate.
Common Belief: The prevalent belief attributes its authorship to Shri Chandrarishi Mahattara. Even the esteemed Acharya Chaturvijayji Maharaj followed this tradition in the preface to the first volume.
Critique of the Belief: However, the preface rigorously examines this belief and finds no substantial evidence to support it.
- The verse "गाढं सयरीए, चंदमहत्तरमयाणुसारीए" (गाथा 70 in the original text, identified as verse 67 in the current publication) is cited. The preface interprets this verse not as an attribution of authorship to Chandrarishi Mahattara but rather as an indication that the commentary follows the views of Chandrarishi Mahattara, leading to an increase in the verse count (to 82).
- Acharya Malayagiri, the commentator, also provides no explicit mention of the author's name in his commentary.
- The preface argues that the common belief stems from a misunderstanding of this verse and an inconsistent interpretation by commentators.
- It is argued that Chandrarishi Mahattara authored the Panchasangraha, which includes (but doesn't necessarily originate) texts like Shataka, Sattari, etc. If Chandrarishi Mahattara were the author of Sattari, his name should have been referenced as a source by later scholars in the way other foundational texts are. The absence of such references for "Panchasangraha" suggests that the author of Sattari is a different, unknown ancient Acharya.

8. Compositional Period of the Sattari:

The Sattari Karmagrantha predates Acharya Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashramana, who discussed its subject matter in his Visheshavashyak Granth.
Since Acharya Jinabhadra Gani is considered to be from the 7th century CE, the Sattari must have been composed before the 7th century CE.

9. Commentary by Acharya Malayagiri:

The commentator of the Sattari is identified as Acharya Shri Malayagiri.
Biography of Malayagiri: His biography is largely unknown. His birth place, caste, parents, lineage (Gachchha), gurus, educational centers, and disciples are all subjects of mystery.
Limited Information: The available information is scarce and pieced together through research. Malayagiri himself provides only his name in his colophons. Historical scholars of his time and later have also been largely silent about him.
Kumarapalaprabandha Reference: A significant account comes from Shri Jinamandanagani in his Kumarapalaprabandha (15th century). This account describes Acharya Hemachandra, Acharya Devendrasuri, and Acharya Malayagiri embarking on a journey for skill acquisition. During this journey, they encountered a sick monk, whom they served. Later, through the intervention of a tutelary deity, they were transported to Girnar. In a subsequent event, at the command of Acharya Hemachandra, they practiced the Siddha Chakra mantra. The presiding deity appeared and granted them boons: Hemachandra wished for the ability to persuade kings, Devendrasuri wished to bring a temple from Kantipuri to Serisaka in a single night, and Malayagiri wished for the ability to write commentaries on Jain Agamas.
This reference is crucial as it confirms Malayagiri's desire and ability to compose commentaries, aligning with his known works. It also suggests he was an Acharya.
Malayagiri's Acharya Status: While his colophons only mention his name, and even later scholars like Kshemakirti Suri (14th century) don't explicitly mention his Acharya title, a passage from his own work, Malayagiri Shabdanushasana, clearly states: "एवं कृतमङ्गल रक्षाविधानः परिपूर्णमल्पग्रथं लघूपाय आचार्यो मलयगिरिः दानुशासनममिते।" (Thus, having performed auspicious ritualistic protection, Acharya Malayagiri completed this short and easy-to-understand grammar of names). This definitively confirms his Acharya status.
Relationship with Acharya Hemachandra: The Kumarapalaprabandha account suggests a close relationship. Malayagiri's own commentary on the Avashyaka Vritti cites Hemachandra's Anyayogavyavacchedadvatrimshika, referring to Hemachandra with the highly respectful term "Guravah" (Revered Ones). This implies a deep admiration and possibly that Malayagiri was younger in terms of monastic vows than Hemachandra.
Malayagiri's Literary Output: Malayagiri is primarily known as a commentator. He composed commentaries on a vast number of Jain scriptures, including Bhagavati Sutra, Rajapraishniya, Jivabhigama, Prajnapana, Chandraprajnapati, Suryaprajnapati, Nandi Sutra, Vyavahara Sutra, Brihatkalpa, Avashyaka, Pindaniryukti, Jyotishkaranḍaka, Dharmasangrahiṇi, Karmaprakriti, Panchasangraha, Shadashiti, Saptatika, Brihatsangrahi, Brihatkshetrasamaasa, and Shabdanushasana. Many of these are extensive works.
Commentary Style: Malayagiri's commentaries are praised for their clarity, profundity, and comprehensiveness. He not only explains the literal meaning but also delves into the subject matter, provides summaries, cites numerous ancient proofs, and explains complex terminology, making his works highly respected and valuable for scholars.
Breadth of Knowledge: His commentaries reveal a vast knowledge not only of Jain literature but also of other Indian philosophical systems, astronomy, mathematics, and other sciences, demonstrating him to be a polymath.
Inner Life: Despite his extensive scholarship, Malayagiri remained remarkably humble and self-effacing, revealing very little about his personal life in his writings, earning him immense respect.

10. Manuscript Collection for Research:

Seven ancient manuscripts (palm-leaf and paper) were collected for the research and editing of the fifth and sixth Karmagranthas.
Details are provided for each manuscript, including its origin, material, condition, number of pages, size, script, and colophons (which often include the date of writing, scribe's details, and donor information).
The preface highlights the importance of the palm-leaf manuscripts as generally more accurate than paper ones.
The editor (implied to be Punyavijayji, assisting Chaturvijayji Maharaj) expresses gratitude to manuscript library custodians and acknowledges the significant contribution of Pandit Bhagwandas Harshachandra in transcribing and preparing the comparative notes from the Digambara texts.

11. Conclusion and Acknowledgements:

The editor expresses gratitude to all who contributed to this edition and humbly requests forgiveness for any errors or omissions.

In essence, this preface introduces a scholarly new edition of two key Jain texts on Karma, emphasizing textual accuracy, scholarly apparatus, and providing in-depth, critical analysis of the authorship and commentary of the sixth Karmagrantha, Sattari, particularly focusing on the significant contributions of Acharya Malayagiri.