Mantungacharya Aur Unke Stotra - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mantungacharya aur unke Stotra" (Mantungacharya and His Stotras) authored by M. A. Dhaky and Jitendra B. Shah, and published by Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre, Ahmedabad. The text delves deeply into the life, works, and controversies surrounding the Jain sage Mantungacharya and his famous hymn, the Bhaktamara Stotra.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the book, based on the provided text:

I. Introduction and Scope of the Book:

Significance of Bhaktamara Stotra: The book highlights the immense popularity and acceptance of the Bhaktamara Stotra across all Jain traditions (Śvetāmbara and Digambara). Its exceptional poetic beauty, smooth flow, melodious rhythm, and profound devotional sentiment are cited as reasons for its widespread acclaim and influence on later Jain compositions.
Addressing Scholarly Gaps: The publication aims to fill the need for a comprehensive and unbiased analysis of the Bhaktamara Stotra, which had been lacking despite numerous existing works and scholarly studies.
Key Areas of Research: The book focuses on several critical aspects:
- Authorship and Origin Stories: Discussing the legends and narratives surrounding Mantungacharya and the creation of the Bhaktamara Stotra.
- Verse Count: Examining the discrepancy in the number of verses (44 in Śvetāmbara tradition, 48 in Digambara tradition) and the reasons behind it.
- Internal Analysis: Delving into the inner meaning and philosophical underpinnings of the Bhaktamara Stotra.
- Associated Works: Analyzing the Bhayahara Stotra, another work attributed to Mantungacharya, and its relationship with the Bhaktamara.
- Ashta Mahabhaya (Eight Great Fears): Exploring the concept of overcoming eight specific fears through devotion to the Jinas as depicted in both hymns.
- Time Period of the Author: Investigating the possible historical period of Mantungacharya.
- Sectarian Affiliation: Determining Mantungacharya's original sectarian affiliation (Śvetāmbara or Digambara), a subject of considerable debate.
- Appreciation of Other Works: The book also includes a preface by Dalasukh Malvania and a foreword by Jagdishchandra Jain, both esteemed scholars, who praise the endeavor and highlight the importance of critical inquiry in Jain studies.

II. Mantungacharya and the Bhaktamara Stotra:

Biographical Narratives: The book traces the life story of Mantungacharya, starting with the earliest accounts in the Prabhavakacharita (13th century CE) and other medieval Jain texts.
The Legend of Imprisonment and Composition: A significant portion is dedicated to the popular legend where Mantungacharya, imprisoned by a king, composed the 44-verse Bhaktamara Stotra. Each verse is said to have miraculously broken a chain, leading to his release. The book notes variations in these legends regarding the king, location, and number of chains, attributing the genesis of the miracle narrative partly to the 42nd verse of the stotra itself, which speaks of liberation from bondage through remembering the Jina's name.
Scholarly Debates on Authorship and Dating: The book extensively discusses the contributions of various scholars (Hermann Jacobi, Durga Prasad Shastri, Nathuram Premi, Hiralal Kapadia, Jyotiprasad Jain, etc.) who have attempted to ascertain Mantungacharya's time period and sectarian affiliation. The authors acknowledge the complexity and conflicting evidence surrounding these issues.
Influence of Bhaktamara: The Bhaktamara Stotra's profound influence on later Jain poetry, with numerous imitations and commentaries, is emphasized.
The Issue of Verse Count (44 vs. 48): This is a major point of discussion. The book presents arguments from both Śvetāmbara and Digambara perspectives, analyzing the claims and counter-claims regarding the original number of verses and the four additional verses (32-35) present in the Digambara tradition, which describe the remaining four Mahapratikatyas (divine emblems). The authors critically examine the theories, including the idea that the Śvetāmbara tradition might have removed these verses due to the influence of the Kalyanmandira Stotra or concerns about the esoteric nature of the additional verses. The book leans towards the 44-verse version as more likely original, based on ancient manuscript evidence and stylistic analysis, while acknowledging the historical existence of the 48-verse tradition.
Stylistic and Aesthetic Analysis: The book praises the Bhaktamara Stotra for its refined language, literary brilliance, elegant composition, flawless poetic artistry, and skillful use of rhetorical devices (Alamkaras). The use of the Vasantatilaka meter and its unique rhythmic quality are particularly highlighted.
Mantunga's Possible Vedic/Brahmanical Background: The authors discuss certain verses in the Bhaktamara Stotra that contain references to Vedic deities (Hari, Hara, Aditya, Purusha) and concepts (Kalpa, dissolution, elemental forces). They consider the possibility that Mantungacharya might have had a Brahmanical background before embracing Jainism, citing scholars like Kapadia and Tripathi. However, they also caution against over-interpretation, noting that Jain scholars like Hemachandra and Yashovijaya also incorporated elements from non-Jain literature.
Sectarian Polemics: The book acknowledges the controversial nature of attributing Mantungacharya to either the Śvetāmbara or Digambara tradition, noting how each sect has presented arguments and legends to claim him. The authors strive for a neutral, historical perspective, analyzing the evidence objectively. The influence of the "mantra-tantra" tradition on later Jainism, including the Bhaktamara, is also discussed, with a critical view of its compatibility with core Jain principles.

III. Mantungacharya's Other Works:

Bhaya-hara Stotra: This Prakrit hymn, consisting of 21 verses, is presented as Mantungacharya's second known work. It focuses on overcoming eight specific fears, mirroring the theme in the Bhaktamara. The book discusses its attribution to Mantungacharya, its linguistic style, and its potential influence. The presence of "Manatunga" in a ślesha (pun) in the final verse supports the attribution.
Bhakti-bhara Stotra (Panchaparamashthi Stotra): Mentioned as another attributed work, but the authors suggest it's likely from a later Mantungacharya due to its middle-period style and mantra-tantra elements, distinguishing it from the author of Bhaktamara and Bhaya-hara.

IV. The Concept of Ashta Mahabhaya (Eight Great Fears):

Analysis of Fears: The book meticulously examines the eight fears mentioned in both the Bhaktamara and Bhaya-hara Stotras, noting slight variations in their enumeration. The fears include: elephant, lion, fire, snake, enemy army, ocean, dropsy (jlodara), and bondage. The Bhaya-hara Stotra substitutes 'forest' for bondage and 'leprosy' for dropsy.
Jain Perspective on Devotion: The authors clarify that in Jain philosophy, Jinas are not seen as beings who actively intervene or bestow boons. Devotion to them is for self-purification and karma destruction. The description of overcoming fears through remembering the Jina's name is interpreted as the effect of such purification, not divine intervention.
External Influences: The book investigates potential external influences on the concept of overcoming fears through devotion, particularly from Buddhist traditions (Avalokitesvara, Tārā) and Hindu Puranic literature (Devi Mahatmya, Shiva Kavacha). They suggest that the emphasis on overcoming fears might have been a later development in Jain devotional literature, possibly influenced by the socio-religious environment of the time. The earlier Jain texts like Agamas and early commentaries generally focus on philosophical teachings rather than such specific fear-relief narratives.

V. Historical Context and Scholarly Methodology:

Critical Approach to Legends: The authors emphasize a critical and evidence-based approach to analyzing the legends and historical claims, acknowledging the difficulty in definitively establishing Mantungacharya's precise timeline and sectarian affiliation due to fragmented and often conflicting historical records.
Importance of Manuscripts: The book underscores the crucial role of examining ancient manuscripts from various Jain Bhandaras (libraries) in resolving textual and historical discrepancies.
Interdisciplinary Analysis: The study draws upon literary analysis, textual criticism, epigraphy, and iconographic evidence to construct a more nuanced understanding of Mantungacharya and his works.

VI. Appendices and Structure:

Indices and Lists: The book includes various indices and lists, such as lists of commentaries on the Bhaktamara and Bhaya-hara Stotras, tables comparing the different traditions' views, and a comprehensive bibliography.
Original Texts: The original Sanskrit and Prakrit texts of the Bhaktamara Stotra and Bhaya-hara Stotra are provided, along with Sanskrit translations for the latter, allowing readers to engage with the source material directly.

Overall Conclusion (Implied):

While Mantungacharya's exact historical context and sectarian affiliation remain subjects of scholarly debate, the book presents a strong case for his Śvetāmbara leanings based on the prevalence and evolution of his works within that tradition, alongside a critical analysis of the evidence. The authors highlight the intrinsic literary and devotional merit of the Bhaktamara Stotra, which transcends sectarian boundaries, and advocate for a balanced, objective approach to studying Jain heritage.

This summary covers the main themes and findings presented in the provided text, reflecting the scholarly rigor and comprehensive nature of the book.