Nandisutra Ke Vruttikar Tatha Tippankar - Book Summary

This document, "Nandisutra ke Vruttikar Tatha Tippankar" by Punyavijay, published by Punyavijayji, is a scholarly work exploring the commentators and annotators of the Jain text, Nandisutra. The text provides detailed information about the authors and their works, focusing on the lineage and contributions of key figures within Jain scholarship.

Here's a summary of the key points:

1. Nandisutra and its Originator:

The Nandisutra itself was composed by Sthavir Devavachak. The preface to the Nandisutra, along with its commentary (Churni), contains details about him.

2. The Author of the Nandisutra Vritti (Commentary):

The primary focus of this work is on the commentator of the Nandisutra, Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri Maharaj. The author mentions that extensive scholarly work has already been done on Haribhadrasuri and refers the reader to the preface of his work 'Sateek Yogashatak aur Brahmashiddhanta Samuchchay' for further details.

3. The Author of the Durgapadavyakhya (Annotation):

The text then delves into the author of the Durgapadavyakhya, a commentary on the Nandisutra's difficult terms. This commentator is identified as Acharya Shri Shri Chandrasuri.
- Lineage: Shri Shri Chandrasuri identifies himself as a disciple of Acharya Shri Dhaneeshwaracharya, who was a disciple of Acharya Shri Shilbhadrasuri of the Chandra Kul (lineage).
- Previous Name: In his pre-acharyahood phase, his name was Parshvadevgani. This is evidenced by a colophon found in a palm-leaf manuscript of his commentary on the Nyayapravesha Panjika.
- Assistance to his Guru: It is mentioned that Shri Shri Chandrasuri assisted his guru, Shri Dhaneeshwaracharya, in the composition and revision of the commentary on the Sardhashataka Prakarana, a work by Shri Jinavallabhgacni.
- Family Tree: The text provides a detailed genealogical account of Shri Shri Chandrasuri's ancestors and lineage, tracing back through his guru line:
  - Shri Shilbhadrasuri
  - Shri Dhaneeshwarasuri (disciple of Shilbhadrasuri)
  - Shri Parshvadevgani / Shri Shri Chandrasuri (disciple of Dhaneeshwarasuri)
- Date of Acharyahood: While the exact year of his elevation to Acharya is not mentioned, his post-acharyahood works suggest it occurred between Vikram Samvat 1171 and 1174.
- Works of Shri Shri Chandrasuri: The document lists several significant works attributed to Shri Shri Chandrasuri (the Chandra Kul lineage), including:
  - Nyayapravesha Panjika
  - Nishitha Churni Vimsodeshaka Vyakhya (composed Vikram Samvat 1174)
  - Shraddha Pratikramana Sutra Vritti (composed Vikram Samvat 1222)
  - Jitakalpa Brihat Churni Durgapadavyakhya (composed Vikram Samvat 1227)
  - Nandisutra Laghu Vritti Durgapadavyakhya (subject of this book)
  - Sukhabodha Samachari (compiled Vikram Samvat 1300)
  - Nirayavalikaadi Panchopanga Sutra Vritti (composed Vikram Samvat 1228)
  - Pindavishuddhi Prakarana Vritti (composed Vikram Samvat 1178)
  - Anagat Chaturvinsati Jina Stotra (possible attribution)
- Distinction from another Shri Chandrasuri: The text clarifies that the Shri Chandrasuri who assisted Shri Shantisuri (author of Prithvichandra Charita) is a different individual from the one who wrote the Nandisutra commentary. The Prithvichandra Charita's Shri Chandrasuri received diksha from Shri Sarvadevasuri of the Chandra Kul, and his acharyahood happened later than the Nandisutra commentator's.

4. The Author of the Nandisutra Tippanak (Annotation):

The text then discusses the Tippankar (annotator) of the Nandisutra. It refers to a Tippanak composed by Acharya Shri Hemchandrasuri of the Maladhari Gachchha.
- Lost Work: This Tippanak is unfortunately not currently available, and the author mentions not finding it in various Jain libraries. However, it is confirmed by Hemchandrasuri himself in his Visheshavashyak Mahabhashya Vritti, where he lists his works and mentions the composition of "Nandi Tippanak."
- Discrepancy in Records: A curious point is raised: while Hemchandrasuri himself mentions composing the Nandi Tippanak, his disciple Shri Shri Chandrasuri, in the preface of his Munisuvrataswamicharitra, lists all of his guru's works but omits the Nandi Tippanak. Despite this omission, the author concludes that Hemchandrasuri did indeed compose it.

5. Nandisutra Vishamapad Tippanak:

The document also addresses the "Nandisutra Vishamapad Tippanak" which is printed in the compilation (pages 182-186).
- Attribution Issues: It is clarified that this particular Vishamapad Tippanak is not the work of Shri Chandrakirtisuri as sometimes indicated.
- Scholarly Analysis: Based on manuscript analysis (including a palm-leaf manuscript from Khambhat dated Vikram Samvat 1212), the author concludes that this Vishamapad Tippanak is not solely the work of Chandrakirtisuri. Some parts might be his, but the majority, including the Nandisutra Vishamapad Paryaya, appears to be by an unknown author.
- Separation of works: The author notes that while some manuscripts contain the Nandisutra Vishamapad Paryaya alongside other similar works, the specific verses and extent of the "Nandisutra Vishamapad Paryaya" found in the Khambhat manuscript (which seems to be the original or very early) differ from the broader "Sarvasiddhanta Vishamapad Paryaya." This suggests distinct authors and works.

6. Editor's Notes and Corrections:

The author concludes with important notes for scholars and readers:
- A request to correct the title "Maladhari" appearing with the name Shri Shri Chandracharya in the Nandisutra Durgapadavyakhya titles to "Chandrakulin."
- A request to remove the attribution "'Shri Chandrakirtimari Pranit'" from the Nandisutra Sankshipta Tippanak.

In essence, this book is a meticulous scholarly investigation into the textual history of the Nandisutra, specifically focusing on identifying and delineating the contributions of its primary commentators and annotators, most notably Acharya Shri Haribhadrasuri and Acharya Shri Shri Chandrasuri, while also exploring the lost work of Acharya Shri Hemchandrasuri and clarifying the authorship of the Vishamapad Tippanak.