Nyayavatarvartik Vrutti

The provided text is a comprehensive summary of the Jain philosophical work "Nyāyāvatāravārtika-vṛtti" by Śrī Śānti Sūri, edited by Pandita Daḷasukha Malwaniya. The work is an extensive commentary on Siddhasena Divākara's "Nyāyāvatārasūtra" and Śāntyācārya's "Nyāyāvatāravārtika."

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the text, organized for clarity:

I. Introduction and Context:

• Title: Nyāyāvatāravārtika-vṛtti
• Author: Śrī Śānti Sūri (original commentary), Siddhasena Divākarasuri (original Nyāyāvatāra Sūtra), Śāntyācārya (Vārtika), edited by Pandita Daḷasukha Malwaniya.
• Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar, Ahmedabad.
• Series: Saraswati Oriental Research Sanskrit Series No. 14.
• Publication Details: First published 1949 (Singhi Jain Series No. 20), Reprint 2002.
• Content: Critically and authentically edited in Sanskrit, with an elaborate introduction, Hindi notes, indices, and appendices.
• Purpose: To provide a detailed and scholarly presentation of the Jain philosophical treatise.

II. Overview of Jain Philosophy (as presented in the introduction and indices):

The introduction and table of contents highlight the extensive coverage of core Jain philosophical concepts, including:

• Pramey-tattva (Reality/Objects of Knowledge):
  • The nature of reality (dravya, guṇa, pṛyāya).
  • Anekāntavāda (the doctrine of manifoldness/non-absolutism) as a central tenet, discussed in relation to its historical development, its relation to Vibhajyavāda (analytical doctrine), and its reconciliation with other philosophical schools.
  • Syādvāda (the doctrine of conditional predication) and the Seven-Valued Logic (Saptabhaṅgī), including its historical context and the characteristics of its propositions.
  • The nature of substances (dravya) and their relation to qualities (guṇa) and modes (paryāya).
  • Detailed discussions on various substances like soul (jīva), non-soul (ajīva), matter (pudgala), space (ākāśa), time (kāla), and principles of motion (dharma) and rest (adharma).
  • The concept of origination, decay, and permanence (utpāda-vyaya-dhrauvya).
  • The indivisibility and permanence of the soul (jīva) and atoms (paramāṇu).
  • The relationship between soul and body (jīva-śarīra).
  • The nature of omniscient knowledge (sarvajña).
• Pramāṇa-tattva (Epistemology/Means of Knowledge):
  • The Jain perspective on knowledge (jñāna), its discussion in the Āgamas, and its evolution.
  • The relationship between knowledge and means of knowledge (pramāṇa).
  • The classification of knowledge: Matijñāna (sensory/inferential knowledge), Śrutajñāna (scriptural knowledge), Avadhijñāna (clairvoyance), Manahparyāyajñāna (telepathy), and Kevalajñāna (omniscience).
  • The distinction between direct (pratyakṣa) and indirect (parokṣa) knowledge.
  • The debate on whether sensory knowledge (matijñāna) is direct or indirect.
  • Detailed analysis of Inference (anumāna), its types, and its logical structure (hetu, sādhya, etc.).
  • The role of Analogy (upamā) and Scripture/Testimony (āgama) as means of knowledge.
  • Discussion on the validity of knowledge (prāmāṇya) and refutation of opposing views.
• Āgama-tattva (Scriptural Authority):
  • The authority and nature of Jain scriptures (Āgamas).
  • The importance and methodology of debate (vāda) and logical argumentation in Jain tradition.
  • Discussion of various types of logical fallacies (chala, jāti, hetvābhāsa, vāda-doṣa).
  • The relationship between Jain philosophy and broader Indian philosophical traditions, including Vedic thought (Vedānta) and Buddhism.
  • Detailed discussions on the contributions of key figures like Bhagavan Mahāvīra, Pārśvanātha, and earlier thinkers.
• Naya-tattva (Standpoints/Methods of Interpretation):
  • The concept of Naya (standpoints) and its various classifications (e.g., dravyārthika, paryāyārthika, śabdāśrita, arthāśrita, vyavahāra, niścaya).
  • The role of Nayas in understanding the complex nature of reality and reconciling seemingly contradictory statements.
  • The relationship between Naya and Pramāṇa.
• Specific Authors' Contributions:
  • The work highlights the philosophical contributions of Siddhasena Divākara (founder of Nyāyāvatāra) and Śāntyācārya (commentator and author of the Vārtika).
  • The editor, Daḷasukha Malwaniya, is recognized for his critical and authentic editing.

III. Key Philosophical Themes Discussed:

• Anekāntavāda and Syādvāda: The book delves deeply into these foundational Jain doctrines, explaining how they offer a non-contradictory way to understand reality, acknowledging multiple perspectives.
• Pramāṇa-Validity: A significant portion is dedicated to defining and defending the means of valid knowledge according to Jainism, particularly contrasting it with other Indian philosophical schools.
• The Nature of Reality: Discussions on dravya, guna, and pṛyāya, exploring how reality is simultaneously permanent (dravya) and changing (paryāya).
• Soul (Jīva): The nature, attributes, and liberation of the soul are extensively examined.
• Logic and Debate: The text likely contains detailed discussions on logical reasoning, fallacies, and the art of debate, as expected from a work on Nyāya (logic).

IV. Structure and Content of the Edition:

The "Nyāyāvatāravārtika-vṛtti" edition is described as being "decorated with a detailed introduction, notes, indices, appendices, and many subjects." This suggests a scholarly work that provides not only the primary texts but also extensive contextual and analytical material. The inclusion of "Vichār Kalikā" (a commentary) indicates a multi-layered analysis of the original sutras and the vārtika.

In essence, this work is a rigorous philosophical analysis of Jain logic and epistemology, tracing its roots in the Āgamas and presenting it in a structured, scholarly manner, with critical commentary and comparative insights into other Indian philosophical systems.