Krudantavali

This document is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Krudantavali" by Ajitchandrasagar, published by Agamoddharak Pratishthan.

Book Title: Krudantavali (કૃદન્તાવલી) Author: Ajitchandrasagar (અજિતચંદ્રસાગર) Publisher: Agamoddharak Pratishthan (શ્રી આગમોદ્ધારક પ્રતિષ્ઠાન) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/004607/1

Overview:

"Krudantavali" is a Sanskrit grammar book specifically designed for students of the Jain tradition, following the curriculum of "Shri Haim Sanskrit Praveshika Pratham" (શ્રી હૈમ સંસ્કૃત પ્રવેશિકા પ્રથમા). The book focuses on Krudantas (કૃદંત), which are verb-derived words (participles and infinitives) in Sanskrit. The author, Balmunishri Ajitchandrasagarji, a disciple of Ganivarya Shri Nayachandrasagarji Maharaj, has compiled this work to aid learners in understanding and mastering these essential grammatical elements.

The book is structured into two main sections and several appendices, aiming to provide a thorough grasp of Krudantas and related Sanskrit grammatical concepts relevant to Jain scriptures.

Key Features and Content:

• Purpose: The book's primary goal is to strengthen the foundation of Sanskrit grammar for Jain scholars and students. It emphasizes that a strong understanding of Krudantas is crucial for comprehending the true meaning of Jain Agamas and literature, which are largely written in Sanskrit.
• Structure:
  • Section 1: This section lists the 148 roots (Dhatus) found in "Shri Haim Sanskrit Praveshika Pratham." For each root, it provides its meaning, class (Gana), and foot (Pada). It systematically presents the forms of these roots in four tenses (present, past, etc.) in both active (Kartari) and passive/impersonal (Karmani/Bhave) voices, specifically in the third person singular form. Crucially, it details ten types of Krudantas derived from each root, along with their specific suffixes and meanings (e.g., Hetvartha Krudanta - 'tum', Sambandhak Bhutakrudanta - 'tvā/ya', Karmani/Bhave Bhuta Krudanta - 'kta', Kartari Bhuta Krudanta - 'ktavat', Kartari Vartamana Krudanta - 'śatṛ/śānac', Karmani/Bhave Vartamana Krudanta - 'śānac', Vidhyartha Krudanta - 'tavya', 'anīya', 'ya', Bhāvavachak Krudanta - 'anṭ/lyuṭ'). It also includes roots with prefixes (Upsarga) along with their Gana, Pada, and meaning.
  • Section 2: This section delves into the theoretical aspects of Krudantas:
    • Clear definitions of Krudantas.
    • Rules for forming Krudanta forms.
    • Explaining how multiple Krudantas can be formed from a single root.
    • The grammatical cases (Vibhakti) associated with Krudantas and related words.
    • Various ways Krudantas are used in sentences, presented in a table format.
    • Examples of Krudantas in sentences.
    • Rules for forming numerical words (from 1 to 100).
• Appendices (Parishishta): The book includes valuable appendices to supplement the learning:
  • Parishishta 1: Krudanta Niyamavali (Rules for Krudantas): Detailed grammatical rules and their application, referencing the "Madhyama" book. This includes discussions on "set" and "anit" roots, samprasāraṇa (vṛddhi), and the use of the 'śānac' suffix.
  • Parishishta 2: Ek Dhatu ne Judā Judā Upsarga (A Single Root with Different Prefixes): Demonstrates how prefixes alter the meaning and form of roots.
  • Parishishta 3: Sankhyavachak Shabda (Numerical Words): Lists Sanskrit numerical words from 1 to 100 with their Gujarati pronunciations.
  • Parishishta 4: Dhatuo ni Akaradi Ekramthi Anukramanika (Alphabetical Index of Roots): An alphabetical listing of the Sanskrit roots covered in the book for easy reference.
• Dedication (Samarpan): The book is dedicated to the author's mother, Matushri Indiraben, who inspired his spiritual journey.
• Foreword (Purovachan): The foreword by Pt. Chandrakant S. Sanghvi highlights the importance of Krudantas in building a strong foundation in Sanskrit, comparing them to bricks in a strong wall. It commends the author's efforts and the inspiration from his Guru.

Target Audience:

This book is intended for students and scholars of Sanskrit, particularly those engaged with Jain scriptures and literature who are studying the "Shri Haim Sanskrit Praveshika Pratham" curriculum.

Significance:

"Krudantavali" serves as a practical and comprehensive guide for mastering Sanskrit Krudantas, a crucial aspect of Sanskrit grammar often challenging for learners. By presenting the information systematically and including detailed appendices, it aims to make the study of Jain Agamas more accessible and profound. The book's focus on the specific curriculum makes it a direct and effective learning tool for students in that tradition.