Prabhavaka Charita

This Jain text is titled "Prabhavaka Charita" (प्रभावक चरिअ) and was authored by Prabhachandracharya (श्रीप्रभाचन्द्राचार्य). It was published by the Singhi Jaina Jnanapitha (सिंघी जैन ज्ञानपीठ) in Ahmedabad and Calcutta. This is the first edition, with 500 copies printed, and the publication year is Samvat 1997 (Vikram Era), corresponding to 1940 AD. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/002516/1.

The book is part of the Singhi Jaina Series (सिंघी जैन ग्रन्थमाला), which aims to publish important works of Jain literature in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsa, and Old Vernacular languages. This series was founded by Shri Bahadur Singhji Singhi of Calcutta in memory of his late father, Shri Dalchandji Singhi.

The General Editor is Jina Vijaya Muni (जिन विजय मुनि), a renowned scholar with extensive experience in editing and researching Jain literature. He holds positions in various prestigious oriental research institutions and has edited numerous significant works.

The "Prabhavaka Charita" itself is described as a collection of the lives and deeds of influential Jain acharyas who lived between the 1st and 13th centuries AD. It highlights their contributions to Jain history, their intellectual debates, their role in the development of Jain philosophy and community organization, and the construction of Jain temples and sites. The text is noted for its historical significance, containing mentions of renowned kings, scholars, and poets of that era, some of which are not found elsewhere. The author, Prabhachandracharya, was inspired by the "Trishashtishalaka Purusha Charitra" and "Sthaviravali Charitra" of Acharya Hemachandra Suri, aiming to complete the historical narrative up to Hemachandra Suri's time.

The provided pages include:

• Title Page: Clearly states the title, author, publisher, series name, and publication details.
• Dedication: Mentions the late Shri Dalchandji Singhi and the founder Shri Bahadur Singhji Singhi.
• Editor's Introduction: Provides context about the Singhi Jaina Series and the "Prabhavaka Charita" itself, discussing its historical importance and the sources used for its compilation. It also mentions previous publications in the series and plans for future ones, including Hindi translations.
• Content Index: Details the chapters within the "Prabhavaka Charita," which include the biographies of various prominent Jain acharyas such as Vajraswami, Aryarakshita, Aryanandila, Kalakacharya, Padaliptasuri, Vijayasinghasuri, Jivadevasuri, Vriddhavadisuri, Haribhadrasuri, Mallavadisuri, Bappabhattissuri, Manatungasuri, Manadevasuri, Mahakavi Siddharsi, Viragani, Vadivetalashantisuri, Mahendrasuri, Suracharya, Abhayadevasuri, Viracharya, Vadevasuri, and Hemachandrasuri.
• Sample Pages: Several pages from the text are included, showcasing the original Sanskrit content with various readings and important sections like the introduction (Prastavik Vaktavya) and the beginning of the first biography, Vajraswami Charita. These pages highlight the critical editing process undertaken by Jina Vijaya Muni, including references to manuscripts (A, B, C, D) and textual variants.

The text is presented in Devanagari script, indicating it is a scholarly edition of a significant Jain work. The introduction emphasizes the historical value of the "Prabhavaka Charita" in understanding the development of Jainism, its intellectual traditions, and its societal influence.