Nyayakumudchandra

This document is a review of the book "Nyayakumudchandra," edited by Dr. Mahendrakumar Jain Nyayacharya. The review, written by Dr. Jaykumar Jain, highlights the scholarly contributions of Pandit Mahendrakumar.

Here's a summary of the key points:

• The Book: "Nyayakumudchandra" is a commentary by Acharya Prabhachandra on Acharya Akalankadeva's "Laghiyastray." The commentary is estimated to be around twenty thousand verses long.
• The Editor: Pandit Mahendrakumar Nyayacharya was skilled in editing ancient Sanskrit texts. His work on "Nyayakumudchandra" is presented as a testament to his extensive knowledge of both Jain and non-Jain logic.
• Publication: The book was published in two parts by Shri Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthamala, Bombay, in 1938 and 1941, as the 38th and 39th volumes of their series.
• Editorial Merit: The review emphasizes the value of Pandit Mahendrakumar's editorial work. His extensive annotations, drawn from various Jain and non-Jain texts, are crucial for clarifying philosophical and historical complexities. These annotations provide valuable research material for scholars and aid in determining the chronology of various Acharyas and understanding the exchange of ideas between them.
• Uncovering Lost Works: The book's citations of various Acharyas have helped identify lost texts and their authors, offering a comprehensive overview of different schools of thought within Indian philosophy and logic.
• Authenticity: To ensure authenticity, the editor included a photographic reproduction of one page from the original handwritten manuscript in the printed book.
• Forewords:
  • Part 1: The first part includes a foreword by Pandit Kailashchandra Shastri, a renowned scholar from the Syadvada Mahavidyalaya, Kashi. This foreword introduces "Siddhi-Viniishchaya" and "Pramanasamgraha" and discusses "Nyayakumudchandra" in comparison with texts from other philosophical traditions. The review notes Pandit Mahendrakumar's significant contribution to this foreword, particularly in sections related to establishing the chronology of Acharya Prabhachandra and addressing other matters.
  • Part 2: Pandit Mahendrakumar wrote the foreword to the second part independently. In this foreword, he sheds light on the lives of Bhattakalankadeva (author of "Laghiyastray") and Acharya Prabhachandra (author of the commentary). His comparison of Prabhachandra with Vedic and non-Vedic scholars is highlighted as highly significant. This foreword also introduces other works by Prabhachandra, carefully noting their attribution to him, which further enhances the foreword's importance.
• Chronological Analysis: The foreword to the second part extensively analyzes Acharya Prabhachandra's works, critically examining his time period and offering various arguments and reasoning. Pandit Mahendrakumar's insights into Prabhachandra's chronology are presented as not only reviewing earlier scholarly opinions but also reinforcing Pandit Kailashchandra Shastri's views by addressing his doubts.
• Anekantavada and Ahimsavada: The review touches upon the importance of Anekantavada (the Jain doctrine of manifold aspects) in Indian philosophy and its connection to Ahimsavada (non-violence). It quotes Dr. Mangaldev Shastri, who stated that Ahimsavada is Jainism's significant contribution to Indian culture and is essentially the ethical application of the philosophical concept of Anekantavada.

In conclusion, the review asserts that Pandit Mahendrakumar Nyayacharya possessed an extraordinary intellect, evident in his meticulous editing, insightful forewords, and comprehensive analysis, which has made "Nyayakumudchandra" a valuable resource for scholars of Indian philosophy and logic.