Mularadhna Aetihasik Sanskrutik Evam Sahityik Mulyankan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on its historical, cultural, and literary significance:

The text is a detailed evaluation of the Jain work "Mularadhana" (also known as "Bhagavati Aradhana"), authored by Shiarya. The author of this evaluative piece is Professor Rajaram Jain. The work is presented as a significant contribution to the study of Jain literature and culture, particularly from the Shauraseni Prakrit tradition.

Key Aspects of Mularadhana and the Evaluation:

• Core Content: Mularadhana primarily deals with the conduct of monks (muni-achara). It elaborates on the fourfold practices of Samagdarsana (Right Faith), Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge), Samyagcharitra (Right Conduct), and Samyagtapa (Right Austerity). It contains 2170 verses organized into 40 chapters.
• Beyond Monastic Conduct: Despite its primary focus, Mularadhana is recognized as a rich repository of cultural and historical information. It provides details on:
  • Post-death rituals for Jain monks.
  • Care for monks during the Sallekhana (ritual fasting unto death) period.
  • Different types of death.
  • Information about women who adopted the ascetic life (utsarga-lingi striyan).
  • Various scientific and technical knowledge relevant to its time.
• Author (Shiarya): The author, Shiarya, is believed to have also gone by the names Shivakoti or Shivamurti. He was an esteemed Acharya of the Yapaniya-sangha. His guru was Arya Sarvagupta. Dr. Jyotiprasad Jain, based on evidence, places Shiarya in the first century CE.
• Commentaries and Editions: The popularity and importance of Mularadhana are evidenced by the numerous commentaries written on it in various times and languages. Some of its verses are also found in Shvetambara texts like Avashyak Niryukti, Brihatkalpa Bhashya, Bhakti Prainna, and Samstharana.
  • First Edition (1935): Published in Solapur, containing 1878 folios and 2170 verses. It included three commentaries: "Vijayodaya" by Aparajitasuri (6th century CE), "Mularadhana Darpan" by Mahapandit Ashadhar (13th century), and a Sanskrit translation of the commentary by Amitagati (11th century). This edition is currently unavailable.
  • Second Edition (1978): Published by Jivraj Granthamala, Solapur, as "Bhagavati Aradhana." It has two volumes and 651 pages, featuring only the "Vijayodaya" commentary and its Hindi translation, along with a scholarly introduction.
• Cultural Significance (Professor Rajaram Jain's Emphasis): Professor Jain highlights that while the philosophical and ethical aspects of Mularadhana have been studied, its cultural dimension remains largely unexplored. He asserts that Mularadhana offers valuable insights into early CE Indian culture.
  • Economic Life: It depicts the economic life and industries of the period, including leatherwork, cotton and silk textile industries, pottery (especially bronze vessels), production of perfumes and cosmetics, gem cutting, medicine manufacturing, jewelry making, idol making, painting, construction of war materials, boat building, and iron industry.
  • Currency and Exchange: It mentions the use of currency like 'kagani', 'karshapana', and 'mani'. It also refers to the Barter System (Vastu-vinimaya), categorizing it into 'Dravyakrita' (exchange of goods for tangible items like ghee or jaggery) and 'Bhavakrita' (exchange of services like teaching knowledge or performing rituals for desired goods).
  • Measurement Systems: It mentions units of measurement like 'anjali', 'adhaka', 'pala', and 'prastha', comparing them to modern units.
  • Labor and Wages: Labor value was determined by skill and paid in cash or kind. Workers were called 'bhutaka' or 'karmakara'.
  • Debt and Lending: Unlike later periods, debt was not as stigmatized. While 'sheth' or 'sahukar' (moneylenders) functioned as early banks, the term used for borrower ('dharani' or 'dhara') suggests a less negative connotation than 'adhama-rṇa' used by Panini. The text describes instances of loans provided even to prisoners under certain conditions.
  • Trade and Markets: The mention of 'agantukagar' (guest houses) for traders (sarthavaha) suggests organized commercial hubs, possibly with warehousing facilities and serving as centers for industrial policy.
  • Transportation: It refers to both waterways (sea trade via boats) and land routes, including rural, forest, and mountain paths.
  • Professions and Guilds: Mularadhana lists 37 types of professions and professional castes, providing a snapshot of the socio-economic landscape.
  • Geography: It includes references to mountains (Mudgal, Kollagiri, Dronamati), rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, with Yamuna being called 'nai-pur' implying frequent floods), and different types of terrain. It also classifies regions into 'Anupa' (water-rich), 'Jangala' (forest-mountainous, arid), and 'Sadharana' (intermediate).
  • Political Geography: Mentions countries like Barbarian, Chilatak, Parsika, Anga, Vanga, and Magadha, categorizing the first three as uncivilized. It also names major cities like Pataliputra, South Mathura, Mithila, Champa, Kosala (Ayodhya), and Shravasti.
  • Human Geography: Describes four types of humans: 'Karmabhumi-ja' (those living in lands suitable for action), 'Antardvipa-ja' (inhabitants of islands with diverse physical characteristics), 'Bhogabhumi-ja' (those living on pleasures), and 'Sammurcchima' (spontaneously generated beings). The latter three are considered mythological, but the detailed descriptions of diverse human forms are noted.
  • Arts and Sciences: References to architectural elements like assembly halls, dance halls, elephant stables, horse stables, oil and sugarcane presses, workshops, gem cutters' shops, weavers' shops, etc., are found. It also mentions specific sculptures ('lohapadima', 'pruvarisina padima'), brickwork, painting, and music.
  • Scientific Knowledge: Shiarya possessed knowledge of chemical processes like 'vajralepa' (a type of strong coating), and descriptions related to goldsmithing. The text alludes to the existence of widespread knowledge of such processes.
  • Ayurveda (Medical Science): Mularadhana contains extensive material on Ayurveda, covering the duties of a physician, diagnostic questions, treatment methods, dietary practices, understanding of diseases (including leprosy), anatomy, physiology, and the relationship between body and soul. It discusses various parts of the body, their components, and their quantities.
  • Human Anatomy and Embryology: The text provides detailed descriptions of human anatomy, including the number of bones, joints, nerves, veins, muscles, skin layers, and organs. It also offers a step-by-step account of fetal development from conception to birth, including stages like 'kalalavastha' (embryo), 'kalushavastha' (blackening), 'sthiravastha' (stabilization), 'bubbhudabhuta' (bubble-like), 'ghanabhuta' (solidified), 'mansapeshibhuta' (muscle formation), 'pulakabhuta' (sprouting of limbs), and the development of skin, hair, and nails. It also discusses the gestation period and the fetus's dependence on maternal nourishment.
  • Health and Hygiene: It touches upon general rules for staying healthy, including the causes and treatments of diseases, the importance of gargling with oil and astringent substances, the benefits of certain drinks like 'achamla' (sour drinks), and the role of diet and fasting.
  • Social Life:
    • Women: A significant portion of the text discusses the author's rather negative and critical views on women, often using strong metaphors and etymologies to portray them as sources of suffering, attachment, and obstacles to spiritual progress. This is presented as a potential cause for schisms within the Jain order.
    • Punishment System: It contrasts with the period of Emperor Ashoka, suggesting a return to harsher punitive measures, including property attachment, shaving of the head, beatings, imprisonment, mutilation (lips, nose, head), impalement, breaking of limbs, and execution through burial, hanging, fire, poison, or animal attacks.
  • Foodstuffs and Beverages: It lists various food items, classifying them into solid, semi-solid, and edible pastes. It also describes specific preparations and combinations of food. A separate section details six types of beverages.
  • Weapons and Warfare: Mentions a variety of weapons, including striking weapons (mace, club, sword, dagger, spear, arrow), cutting weapons (sword, dagger, spear, javelin, discus, axe), and defensive armor.
  • Machinery: Refers to three types of machinery: a crushing machine for punishment, an oil extraction machine, and a sugarcane juice extraction machine.
  • Folk Beliefs: Includes some beliefs related to post-death rituals, suggesting the need to bind or sever parts of a deceased monk's body to prevent evil spirits from inhabiting it.
  • Literary Aspects: Mularadhana is praised for its literary merit, showcasing the author's emotional depth, psychological insight, and aesthetic sensibilities. It employs various figures of speech and a lucid 'Vaidarbhi' style of language. The text provides examples of poignant analogies to criticize hypocrisy.
  • Vocabulary: While primarily technical and philosophical, it also incorporates colloquial words, offering insights into the evolution of modern Indian languages and aiding linguistic studies.
  • Source of Jain Narrative Literature: Mularadhana is considered an early source for Jain narrative literature, containing around 72 story titles illustrating the consequences of actions. These stories likely originated in oral traditions and influenced later extensive narrative works. Several examples of these story titles are provided, highlighting their moralistic themes.
  • Other References: The text also includes references to the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Vedic concepts, divination systems, stages of desire, agricultural tools, magic and spells, imported goods, various types of lodging and sitting arrangements, categories of stories, and criminal acts.

In conclusion, Professor Rajaram Jain's evaluation argues that Mularadhana is an invaluable and overlooked treasure trove of information, not only for Jain religious studies but also for understanding the multifaceted social, cultural, economic, scientific, and literary landscape of India during the early CE period. He emphasizes its potential for further in-depth research.