Notes On Third Chapter Of Sarvadarsana Samgraha

Here's a comprehensive summary of Hajime Nakamura's "Notes On Third Chapter Of Sarvadarsana Samgraha," focusing on its content and purpose:

Hajime Nakamura's "Notes On The Third Chapter (On Jainism) Of The Sarvadarsanasamgraha" serves as a scholarly endeavor to verify and meticulously trace the citations made within the third chapter of Madhava's Sarvadarsanasamgraha, a well-regarded introduction to Jain philosophy. Nakamura acknowledges the excellent English translations of this chapter by Cowell and Gough, and Deussen, but notes their failure to identify the original sources of Madhava's quotations.

The primary objective of Nakamura's work is to provide critical commentary by identifying these original sources, thereby enhancing the academic rigor and understanding of Madhava's presentation of Jainism. He utilizes Vasudev Shastri Abhyankar's edition of the Sarvadarsanasamgraha as his reference point, with line numbers corresponding to this specific edition.

The "Notes" then proceed to systematically go through the third chapter, line by line, identifying specific verses and concepts quoted by Madhava and pointing to their exact origins. This involves citing:

• Other Jain scriptures: Nakamura frequently references the Tattvarthadhigamasutra by Umāsvāti, the Yogaśāstra by Hemacandra, and the Davvasamgaha.
• Works by prominent Jain thinkers: Siddhasena Divākara and Padmanandin (identified as Kundakunda) are mentioned as authors of cited material.
• Buddhist philosophical texts: Citations from Buddhist scholars like Dharmakirti, Śāntarakṣita, and from texts like the Abhidharmakośavyākhyā and Suttanipāta are noted, highlighting potential interconnections or influences.
• Works of other Indian philosophical schools: Kumārila's Ślokavārttika and Sabara's commentary on Mimāmsā-sūtra are also identified.

Beyond mere citation, Nakamura also offers critical annotations and corrections. These include:

• Clarifying meanings of terms: For instance, explaining pravāha as saṁtāna or providing definitions for terms like mahāsāhasika.
• Suggesting textual emendations: He notes instances where the published text might have minor errors and proposes corrections based on variant readings or scholarly consensus.
• Placing philosophical concepts within their broader context: He connects Jain concepts to their Buddhist parallels or nuances, such as the use of the term kāya or bhava.
• Dating and attribution: Nakamura provides scholarly opinions on the dating of figures like Siddhasena Divākara.

The overarching conclusion Nakamura draws is that Madhava, in his presentation of the Jain system, relied directly on authoritative and reliable sources, much like he did for other philosophical schools. This meticulous tracing of citations validates the depth and accuracy of Madhava's work, demonstrating that even when discussing Jainism, which at the time of the English translations was less accessible in the West, Madhava drew from primary Jain literature.

In essence, Nakamura's "Notes" are an essential scholarly supplement to the Sarvadarsanasamgraha, providing crucial bibliographical and critical context that enhances our understanding of the historical and philosophical landscape of Indian thought, specifically as it pertains to Jainism.