Prakaran Ratna Sangraha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prakaran Ratna Sangraha" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shri Prakaran Ratna Sangraha (Collection of Jewels of Treatises) Author(s): Purvacharya (Ancient Scholars), Kunvarji Anandji (Publisher) Publisher: Kunvarji Anandji, Bhavnagar Content: The book is a compilation of 16 Jain philosophical treatises (Prakaranas). It includes the original text (verses/Gathas) along with their Gujarati translations and explanations. The aim is to make these often difficult philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience.

Key Highlights and Content Summary:

• Inspiration and Support: The publication was inspired and financially supported by Guruni Labhashriji, demonstrating the collaborative effort in making Jain knowledge available. The publisher, Kunvarji Anandji, is acknowledged for his endeavor.

• Structure and Presentation: Each of the 16 Prakaranas is presented with its original verses, translated into Gujarati, and often accompanied by detailed explanations. Some chapters include diagrams (Yantra) for better understanding, especially for cosmological concepts. Two larger diagrams on art paper are specifically mentioned for the "Lokanalika" chapter.

• Authorship: While the collection is attributed to various Purvacharyas, the compiler notes that the author's name is available for only 9 out of the 16 Prakaranas. The remaining 7 have unknown authors. Specific authors mentioned include Shri Vijayvimalgni (Vaanararshi) for "Bhavprakaran" and "Vicharpanchashika," and Shri Devendrasuri for "Siddhdandikastav" and "Siddhpanchashika."

• Content of the 16 Prakaranas: The summary provides a brief overview of each of the 16 included treatises:

  1. Shri Samyaktva Stav Prakaran (also known as Samyaktva Panchavishatika Prakaran): This treatise focuses on the nature of Samyakdarsana (right faith/perception). It details the stages of obtaining Samyakdarsana like Yatha-pravrttikaran, Apurvakaran, and Anivrtikaran. It explains the classification of Samyakdarsana into one, two, three, four, and five types, and concludes with 67 points clarifying Samyakdarsana, making it comprehensive.
  2. Kal Saptatika Prakaran: Attributed to Shri Dharmaghosh Suri, this work, consisting of 75 verses, describes the chronological cycles (Kalachakra) of the Jain universe. It details the types of P Palyopama and Sagropama, the twelve divisions (Aaras) of the Ausarpini and Utsarpini periods, the lifespans of beings in each era, names of the 63 Shalaka Purushas, and the future Tirthankaras.
  3. Kayasthiti Prakaran: Authored by Shri Kulamandan Suri (24 verses), it discusses the maximum duration of existence (Kayasthiti) in different species and life-cycles, particularly focusing on the father-mother lineage and the birth and death cycles (Bhavsadh).
  4. Shri Bhav Prakaran: By Shri Vijayvimalgni, this work (30 verses) explains the five types of Bhavas (states of existence): Upsham, Kshayopasham, Kshaya, Audayika, and Parinamika. It details their sub-categories, connections to Karma, and their presence in the 14 Gunasthanas (stages of spiritual development). It also includes diagrams and aligns closely with the "Bhava-lekh-prakasha."
  5. Shri Mahendrasuri Virachit Vichar-Saptatika Prakaran: This treatise (81 verses, possibly with 11 extra) covers twelve specific topics of consideration (Vichar), including the number of eternal idols, the expiation of Irryapthik Karma, the nature of Kritishila, the count of eternal Chaityas, the shape of divine palaces, the propagation of sunlight, the three bodies related to Prapurti (perfection), the Krishnaraji in the fifth heaven, the nature of circular mountains, Nandishwar Island, and the dharmic duties of lay followers. It also discusses the 14 Gunasthanas and their temporal duration.
  6. Shri Anandvimal Suri Shishya Vaanararshi Virachit Vichar Panchashika Prakaran: This work (51 verses) by Vijayvimalgni covers nine considerations, including the five bodies, fetal development, Pudgal (matter) – whether subtle or gross, Sammurchim humans (spontaneously generated beings), Prapurti, the relative abundance (Alpabahutva) of Jivas (souls) and other substances, Pudgal with and without region, Kadjumma, and the dimensions of earth, water, etc.
  7. Shri Devendrasuri Virachit Siddhdandikastav Prakaran: This short treatise (13 verses) details the number of souls attaining Siddhahood on Shatrunjaya mountain, as described by Sagar Chakravarti's sons and Subuddhi minister. It includes eight diagrams related to different types of Siddha counts.
  8. Shri Devendrasuri's Siddha Panchashika Prakaran: This work (50 verses) describes the nature of infinite Siddhas (Anant-Siddha) and those with attained proximity (Parasiddha) through eight means (e.g., classification, substance, region, touch, time, interval, Bhavas, and Alpabahutva). It further elaborates on nine sub-means for understanding this.
  9. Shri Abhaydev Suri Virachit Pancha Nirgranthi Prakaran: This extensive treatise (106 verses), extracted from the 25th Shataka of the Bhagavati Sutra, analyzes the five types of Nirgranthas (ascetics: Pulaka, Bakush, Kushil, Nirgrantha, and Snathaka) across 36 categories, including Prapana, Veda, Raga, Kalpa, Charitra, Pratisevana, Jnan, Tirtha, Linga, Sharira, Kshetra, Kala, Gati, Sanyam, Nikaya, Yoga, Upayoga, Kashaya, Leshya, Parinam, Bandha, Vedana, Udairana, Upapadajanan, Sangya, Ahar, Bhav, Akarsh, Kala, Antar, Samudghat, Kshetra, Sparshana, Bhava, Pariman, and Alpabahutva. It provides detailed commentary on many of these categories.
  10. Nigoda Sh Trishika Prakaran: Attributed to Purvacharyas and extracted from the 11th Shataka of the Bhagavati Sutra (36 verses), this difficult treatise meticulously describes Nigodas (the lowest form of life). The author acknowledges the challenge in accurately rendering its meaning and the potential need for Guru's guidance.
  11. Shri Samavasaran Prakaran (or Stav): Attributed to Purvacharyas (24 verses), this treatise covers the familiar topic of Samavasarana (the divine assembly of Tirthankaras). It includes necessary explanations and clarifies the divine assembly as a creation of gods from all four divisions of beings, offered as praise to the Tirthankara upon attaining Kevala Jnana.
  12. Kshama Kulak: (25 verses) attributed to Purvacharya, this collection offers potent and effective advice for renouncing anger (Krodha Kashaya), which can help in suppressing anger if read thoughtfully. It is considered superior among other Kulakas.
  13. Indriya Vikar Nirodh Kulak: (9 verses) attributed to Purvacharya, this work describes the state of beings who are destroyed by attachment to sensory objects and the five Indriyas. It also provides good counsel for restraining the four Kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed). The last verse is particularly insightful.
  14. Lokanalika Dwātrimshika Prakaran: This treatise (32 verses) with no known author describes the structure of the Lokanalika (the universe), its divisions, Sushir (hollows), Suchi (needles), Pratarrajju (flat threads), and Dhanurajju (solid threads) in the upper, lower, and middle directions. It includes three diagrams, two of which are printed on special art paper, detailing the number of Khands and the contents of the 14 Rajjus in the central Tris-nadi.
  15. Laghu Alpabahutva Prakaran: (2 verses) attributed to Purvacharya, this brief treatise explains the Alpabahutva (relative quantity) of seven types of beings (water, plants, two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed, nonsentient five-sensed, and sentient five-sensed) in the four directions, with reasoning.
  16. Hridayapradeep Shat Trishika Prakaran: This treatise (36 Sanskrit verses) attributed to an unknown author, described as an experienced Mahatma, offers profound spiritual teachings. It is presented with a commentary and translation, as the original commentary was unavailable.

• Special Features: A unique feature of this compilation is the inclusion of the original Gathas (verses) within parentheses after the Gujarati translation, making it easier for readers to understand the exact wording and grammatical structure.

• Acknowledgement of Sources: The publisher acknowledges the invaluable assistance from the Shrimad Atmanand Sabha, Bhavnagar, particularly from Muni Shri Chaturvijayji, whose printed works with commentary greatly aided in the translation and explanation of 12 of the Prakaranas.

• Call for Corrections: The publisher humbly requests scholars and ascetics to point out any errors or omissions in the text so they can be rectified in future editions.

• Overall Purpose: The collection aims to impart profound knowledge, serving as an excellent resource for understanding Dravyanuyoga (the branch of Jain philosophy dealing with substances and their attributes).

In essence, "Prakaran Ratna Sangraha" is a significant work in Jain literature, aiming to elucidate complex philosophical concepts through accessible translations and explanations, compiled with scholarly dedication and community support.