Prachin Digambaracharya Aur Unki Sahitya Sadhna - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the key figures and their literary contributions:

The text "Prachin Digambaracharya aur unki Sahitya Sadhna" (Ancient Digambara Acharyas and their Literary Sadhana) by Rameshchandra Jain, discusses the significant contributions of ancient Digambara Jain scholars to Jain literature. It highlights key Acharyas and their seminal works, emphasizing the preservation and dissemination of Jain teachings through their literary endeavors.

Key Acharyas and Their Works:

Acharya Goundhara:
- Author of Kashay Pahuda, also known as Pejjadosh Pahuda.
- This scripture focuses on the nature, duration, intensity, and quantity of karmic attachments (kashayas) like anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and their manifestations of attachment (rag) and aversion (dwesh).
- The text is written in a sutra style, presenting profound and extensive subjects concisely.
- Goundhara's work is a condensed essence of the original Pejjadosh Pahudam, a part of the Prativada Purva, which was a vast scripture.
- Kashay Pahuda is divided into fifteen chapters, detailing aspects of karmic disposition.
Acharya Dharasena:
- Lived approximately 683 years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, or 614 years after his Nirvana according to some accounts.
- A master of Ashtanga Mahanimitta (eight types of great omens).
- Fearing the decline of scriptural knowledge due to the influence of the descending era (avasarpini), he sought worthy disciples to preserve and transmit the teachings of Lord Mahavir.
- He sent a letter to a large assembly of monks, requesting them to send two intelligent and capable disciples to receive his knowledge.
- The two disciples sent were destined to become Pushpadanta and Bhutabali.
- Acharya Dharasena is believed to have initiated the tradition of transferring knowledge from teacher to disciple, akin to lighting one lamp from another.
- He resided in Chandragufa cave on Girinagar (Girnar Mountain) in Kathiawad.
Pushpadanta and Bhutabali:
- Disciples of Acharya Dharasena.
- Pushpadanta is credited with intending to compose the Mahakarm Prakriti Prahuta in six parts.
- They were entrusted with preserving and transmitting the teachings.
- Pushpadanta is said to have been named after his teeth were corrected by divine beings when their mantra sadhana was successful.
- Bhutabali was also honored by celestial beings, leading to his name.
- Pushpadanta, along with his nephew Jinapalita, later went to Vanavasi country.
- Bhutabali went to Dravida country.
The Six-Segmented Scripture (Shatkhandagama):
- The text explains that Shatkhandagama originated from various sections of the ancient scriptures, including the Kashay Pahuda from the Prativada Purva.
- Bhutabali composed the six sections of Shatkhandagama, amounting to 6,000 verses. He also wrote a sixth section called Mahabandha with 30,000 verses.
- The six sections are:
  1. Jeev Sthan: Describes the states of the soul (gupasthan) and pathways (margasthan) using eight types of inquiry (anuyoga dwara).
  2. Khudda Bandha: Describes the karmic bond in a concise manner. It has eleven types of inquiries.
  3. Bandhaswamitva Vichaya: Examines the owners of the different karmic states.
  4. Vedana Khand: Details the essence of experiencing karmic results.
  5. Vargana Khand: Elaborates on the bundles of karmic matter (vargana) and related concepts like touch, nature, etc.
  6. Mahabandha: A detailed exposition of the four types of karmic bonding (nature, duration, intensity, and quantity) through various inquiries.
- Bhutabali compiled the Shatkhandagama sutras and performed a grand puja on Shrut Panchami, a day still celebrated by Jains.
Acharya Yativṛṣabha:
- Expanded the meaning of the 233 verses of Kashay Pahuda into 6,000 verses of chūrṇisūtras.
- His chūrṇisūtras are described as concise, clear, eloquent, and profound.
- He focused on themes not extensively covered in existing scriptures, such as transmigration (sankrama), existence (sattva), origination (udīraṇā), and the detailed analysis of karmic bonding and transmigration.
- His other works are considered to be Tiloypannatti and possibly Kammapayaḍi, Sataka, and Sittari.
- Yativṛṣabha predates Acharya Pujyapada, as Pujyapada mentions his views in his Sarvarthasiddhi.
- His time is estimated to be in the first half of the 6th century Vikram era.
Acharya Kundakunda:
- A highly revered Acharya in the Digambara tradition, whose words are considered as authoritative as those of the Ganadharas.
- His scriptures are considered the foundation for later scholars.
- His works include: Niyamasara, Panchastikaya, Pravachanasara, Samaysara, Baras Anuvekkha, Dasanapahuda, Charitrapahuda, Sutapahuda, Bodhapahuda, Bhavapahuda, Mokshapahuda, Silapahuda, Lingapahuda, and Dasabhakti Sangaha.
- It is believed he composed eighty-four "pahudas".
- His works like Panchastikaya, Pravachanasara, and Samaysara are likened to the Vedanta's Prasthanatrayi.
- Samaysara aims to guide the soul towards self-realization, free from attachments.
- Pravachanasara is an educational religious text for new initiates.
- His works are known for their spiritual depth and have influenced thinkers across Jain sects.
Acharya Virasena:
- A prominent scholar of the 8th-9th century.
- Authored the monumental Dhavala commentary on Shatkhandagama, spanning 72,000 verses.
- Also wrote the Jayadhavala commentary on Kashay Pahuda (20,000 verses).
- His guru was Acharya Elacharya.
- He is praised as the "Chakravarti of Poets" and "Vanquisher of the other world".
- His Dhavala commentary illuminated the Shatkhandagama sutras.
Acharya Jinasena:
- The primary author of Adipurana and Harivamshapuran.
- He was a disciple of Acharya Virasena and teacher of Jin sen II.
- His works are considered invaluable in Jain literature.
- He is credited with completing the Mahapurana, which was started by his guru.
Acharya Vidyānanda:
- A prolific scholar of the 8th-9th century.
- Known for his deep understanding of Jain and non-Jain philosophies.
- His works include Tattvartha Shloka Vartika, Ashtasahasri, and Yuktyanushasanalankara.
- He is considered the founder of Jain Logic.
Acharya Pujyapada (Devanandi):
- A renowned philosopher, grammarian, and scholar of the 5th-6th century.
- His works had a significant impact on both Digambara and Shvetambara traditions.
- Known for Sarvarthasiddhi (commentary on Tattvarthasutra), Jainendra Vyakarana, Ishtopadesha, and Shantyashtaka.
- His life story is marked by his profound scholarship, spiritual inclination, and mastery of various arts and sciences.
Acharya Samantabhadra:
- A prominent philosopher and poet of the 2nd-3rd century.
- Author of Yuktyanushasana, Aptamimansa, and Ratnakaranda Shravakachar.
- His teachings and writings are considered to be on par with those of Lord Mahavir.
Acharya Siddhasena:
- A brilliant logician and philosopher of the 5th century.
- Author of Sanmatitarka, a seminal work in Jain logic.
- He synthesized various philosophical viewpoints within the framework of Nayavada and Anekantavada.
Acharya Akalanka:
- A towering figure in Jain logic of the 7th-8th century.
- Established the foundations of Jain logic, defining terms and establishing principles for proof and argumentation.
- His works like Tattvartha Vartika and Laghiyastray are crucial for understanding Jain epistemology and ontology.

The text emphasizes that these ancient Acharyas, through their immense dedication and literary prowess, ensured the continuity and growth of Jain philosophy and literature, leaving behind a rich legacy for future generations.