Niryukti Panchak Part 3 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Niryukti Panchak Part 3" (also known as Niryukti Panchakam Part 3), authored by Bhadrabahuswami and Kusumpragya Shramani, and published by Jain Vishva Bharati. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/001929/1.

Niryukti Panchak Part 3: A Detailed Summary

This volume, Niryukti Panchak Part 3, is a monumental work in Jain literature, focusing on the critical study and presentation of the Niryuktis (commentaries or introductions) for five key Agam texts written by Acharya Bhadrabahuswami. These five texts are:

Daśavaikālika Niryukti
Uttarādhyayana Niryukti
Ācārāṅga Niryukti
Sūtrakṛtāṅga Niryukti
Daśāśrutaskaṇḍha Niryukti

The work provides the original text of these Niryuktis, variant readings with critical notes, Hindi translations, an elaborated preface, and various appendices.

Key Aspects and Content of the Volume:

Editorial Vision and Dedication: The book is dedicated to spiritual leaders and scholars of Jainism, emphasizing the importance of scriptural study and the propagation of Jain teachings. The preface highlights the challenging nature of editing Niryukti literature, comparing it to filling an ocean into a pitcher. It acknowledges the ongoing efforts in Agam editing within the Jain tradition.
The Five Niryuktis: The core of this volume comprises the Niryuktis of the five aforementioned foundational Agam texts.
- Niryukti Literature: The introduction provides a broad overview of Niryukti literature, explaining its purpose as the earliest form of commentary that clarifies important and technical terms of the Agams using a "nikshep" (classification/placement) method. It discusses the nature of Niryuktis, their role as indices, and the methodology of their analysis (Nikshetra-anugam, Upodghata-anugam, Sutrasparshik-anugam).
- Author: Acharya Bhadrabahuswami: The Niryuktis are attributed to the revered Acharya Bhadrabahuswami, a prominent figure in Jain monastic history, known for his extensive scholarship and spiritual prowess. The volume delves into the introduction of each Niryukti, including its author's context, purpose of composition, and the subject matter covered.
- Critical Edition and Translation: A significant achievement of this work is its critical editing of the Niryukti texts based on manuscripts, along with variant readings and detailed annotations. The Hindi translation of the Niryukti verses (Gathas) is a crucial feature, making the complex ideas accessible to a wider audience.
"Niryukti Sahitya: Ek Paryavekshan" (An Overview of Niryukti Literature): This extensive introductory section, likely comprising a significant portion of the volume, offers a deep dive into the subject. It covers:
- The Nature and Purpose of Niryuktis: Defining their role in explaining complex Agamic concepts.
- Number and Classification of Niryuktis: Discussing the scholarly debate and available information on the number of Niryuktis written.
- Chronology and Compositional Order: Attempting to establish the sequence in which these Niryuktis were composed.
- Specific Niryuktis: Detailed analyses of the Niryuktis for each of the five texts, including:
  - Daśavaikālika: Its structure, author (Acharya Shayyambhav), purpose, name derivation, and the subject matter of its ten chapters. It also touches upon the story of its composition related to Munimanaka.
  - Uttarādhyayana: Discussing its nature as an ethical and philosophical text, its classification as a Mool Sutra, the meaning of its name, the debate around its authorship and compilation, its language and style, and the subject matter of its thirty-six chapters.
  - Ācārāṅga: Highlighting its supreme importance in Jain Agams, its names (Veda, Brahmacharya), its structure (two Srutaskandhas and five Chulas), authorship (Sudharmaswami), language and style, and its extensive ethical teachings, including the concept of Shodashkarmas.
  - Sūtrakṛtāṅga: Describing it as an ethical and philosophical text, comparable to Buddhist Abhidharma Pitaka. It analyzes the meaning of "Sutra" and "Kṛta," its names, authorship, language, and its comprehensive coverage of various philosophical traditions and doctrines of the time.
  - Daśāśrutaskaṇḍha: Its place among Chedasutras, the rationale behind the term "Chedasutra," its number, and its detailed contents focusing on monastic conduct, vows, and expiations.
- Gathas (Verses) and their Count: The volume meticulously addresses the discrepancies in the number of Gathas found in different manuscripts and commentaries, providing a critical analysis for determining the original or most authentic count.
- Nikshetra Paddhati (Nikshetra Methodology): A detailed explanation of the Nikshetra methodology, a unique Jain system of linguistic and philosophical analysis, and its application in interpreting words and concepts within the Niryuktis. This section highlights the originality of Jain scholars in linguistics and philosophy.
- Other Key Themes Explored: The overview also covers various other significant topics discussed within the Niryuktis, including:
  - Prayers and invocations (Mangalagana).
  - The concept of time and its various classifications.
  - The nature of Brahman and the caste system (Varna Vyavastha), including the origins of mixed-caste groups.
  - The existence and characteristics of stationary (Sthāvara) beings (earth, water, fire, air, plants) and the concept of Jivatva (life-force) within them.
  - The ideal characteristics of a Bhikshu (mendicant) and their begging practices (Bhiksha Charya).
  - The significance of directions (Disha) and their influence, including their cosmological and architectural aspects.
  - The concept of "Karan" (astrological time units) and its methods of calculation.
  - The different forms of poetry (Kavya), including Gadhya, Padya, Geya, and Churnika.
  - Traffic and pathways (Yatayat Path) in ancient times.
  - Religious culture, philosophical and doctrinal facts, social, economic, and political conditions of the period.
  - Historical influences and the impact on later Jain and non-Jain texts.
  - The history of Agam and Niryukti editing.
  - Textual criticism and translation methodologies.
  - Introduction to the manuscripts used for the study.
  - Expressions of gratitude.
Appendices: The volume is enriched with fifteen appendices, which include:
- Correlation of Bhashya Gathas with Niryuktis.
- Pada-krama (Word-sequence).
- One-word equivalents (Ekarthak Shabda).
- Deshi Shabda (Local words).
- Nikshipt Shabda (Classified words).
- Stories (Katha).
- Definitions (Paribhasha).
- Maxims and Sayings (Sukta-Subhashita).
- Similes and Illustrations (Upama aur Drishtant).
- Scattered facts about Drishtivada (an lost Agam text).
- Comparison with other texts.
- Index of special terms.
- Classified index of special terms.
- Classified index of subjects.
- Bibliography of used texts.
Publisher and Publication Details:
- Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun.
- ISBN: 81-7195-044-2.
- First Edition: Vikrama Samvat 2056 (1999).
- Number of Pages: 850.
- Price: Rs. 500.
- Published with financial assistance from the National Archives of India, Government of India.

Significance:

This volume represents a scholarly endeavor to preserve, critically edit, and disseminate invaluable Niryukti literature. By providing original texts, critical apparatus, and translations, it facilitates a deeper understanding of the foundational Agams of Jainism, making the profound teachings of Acharya Bhadrabahuswami accessible to scholars, students, and practitioners of Jainism worldwide. The inclusion of extensive appendices further enhances its utility as a comprehensive reference work. The contribution of Dr. Samani Kusumaprajna as the editor and Muni Dulaharaja as the translator is highlighted as being exceptionally diligent and valuable. The overall work is a testament to the dedication of Jain Vishva Bharati in promoting Jainological research and publications.