Prakrit Pingal Sutrani - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "The Prâkṛta-Piṅgala-Sūtras with the Commentary of Lakshmīnātha Bhaṭṭa," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: The Prâkprita-Piṅgala-Sūtras Author(s): Lakshmīnātha Bhaṭṭa (Commentator), Piṅgala (Original Author, implied), Sivdatta Pt and Kasīnāth Pāndurang Parab (Editors) Publisher: Tukārām Javājī Year: 1894 Series: Kâvyamâkâi, No. 41

Overall Purpose:

This work is a critical edition and commentary of the Prâkṛta-Piṅgala-Sūtras, a seminal text on Prakrit metrics and prosody. The commentary by Lakshmīnātha Bhaṭṭa, titled "Piṅgala-Pradīpa," aims to elucidate the original Sūtras. The text provides detailed explanations and examples of various Prakrit meters, covering both vowel and consonant-based patterns. It also includes discussions on metrical rules, exceptions, and the classification of verses.

Key Content and Structure:

The book is structured into two main parts, as indicated by the chapter titles and the Table of Contents (Vishaya):

Chapter 1: Mangalācaraṇam, Gurulaghuvyavasthā, Gaṇavyavasthā, and Matrâprastāra (Introduction and Foundational Concepts):
- Mangalācaraṇam (Invocation): The text begins with auspicious invocations to deities, likely Ganesha and Saraswati, as is customary in traditional Indian scholarly works.
- Author and Lineage: The introduction mentions the lineage of the commentator, Lakshmīnātha, tracing it back to Śrī Rāmacandra and Nārāyaṇa. It also acknowledges the editors, Śivadatta and Kāśīnāth Pāṇḍurang Parab, and their contribution in reviewing and publishing the work.
- Gurutva-Laghuva (Heavy and Light Syllables): A core concept in Indian metrics, the text defines what constitutes a long (guru) and short (laghu) syllable. This includes rules regarding vowels (long vowels, vowel-ending words), consonant clusters, nasalization (bindu), and position at the end of a verse (charānta). It also discusses exceptions to these rules, citing specific examples.
- Gaṇavyavasthā (Classification of Metrical Units): Prakrit metrics, like Sanskrit metrics, organizes syllables into groups called 'ganas'. The text details the formation and names of these ganas based on their structure (e.g., three gurus, three lights, combinations).
- Prastāra (Metrical Arrangement): This section likely deals with the systematic arrangement of syllables to generate all possible metrical combinations within a given pattern. It introduces concepts like 'Mātrāprastāra' (arrangement based on syllable duration/mātrā) and 'Varṇa-prastāra' (arrangement based on syllables/letters). Specific prastāras for different mātrā counts (like 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 mātrās) are described, along with their associated names.
- Analysis of Ganas: The text goes into detail about the number of variations (bheda) possible for each gana (e.g., Tagaṇa, Thagaṇa, Dagaṇa, etc.) and their constituent mātrās.
- Metrical Devices and Errors: It discusses the importance of adhering to metrical rules (chandas) and the negative impact of metrical errors (dosha) on the aesthetic quality of poetry.
Chapter 2: Vṛtta-lakṣaṇa (Description of Meters): This is the most extensive part of the text, detailing numerous specific meters used in Prakrit literature.
- Classification of Meters: The meters are likely classified broadly, perhaps into Varna-vṛttas (meters based on syllable count) and Mātrā-vṛttas (meters based on mātrā count or duration).
- Detailed Description of Meters: The majority of the text is dedicated to listing and defining individual meters. Each meter is described by:
  - Structure: The pattern of long (guru) and short (laghu) syllables, or the number of mātrās per verse.
  - Number of Syllables/Mātrās: The total count within a foot (pāda) or verse.
  - Number of Ganas: The types and arrangement of ganas in each foot.
  - Yati (Caesura) and Prāsa (Rhyme): Rules regarding pauses within a verse and the repetition of sounds.
  - Dvitīya Pāda (Second Foot) Rules: Specific rules that apply to the second foot of a verse.
  - Exceptions and Variations: Any deviations from the general rules.
  - Examples (Udāharaṇam): Sanskrit or Prakrit verses illustrating the meter are provided, often with commentary explaining how the verse adheres to the rules.
  - Etymology/Names: The text might also discuss the origin or meaning of the meter's name.
- Vast Coverage: The Table of Contents (Vishaya) reveals an extensive list of meters covered, including: Gaha, Gāthā, Vigāthā, Udgāthā, Gāhiṇī, Siṁhiṇī, Skandhaka, Dohā, Ukaḍā, Roḷa, Gandhanā, Catupadī, Ghattā, Ghattānanda, Shaṭpadā, Pajjhaṭikā, Aḍillā, Pādākulaka, Catubolā, Raḍḍā, Madhubhāra, Ābhīra, Daṇḍakalā, Kuṇḍalikā, Dīpaka, Gaganāṅgana, Siṁhāvaloka, Dvipadī, Plavaṅgama, Jhullāṇā, Līlāvatī, Khajavṛtta, Harigītā, Triabhaṅgī, Durmilā, Hīra, Culiyālā, Janaharaṇa, Madanagṛha, Sorahtā, Hākali, Maraṭṭā, and many more. The sheer volume of meters listed indicates a comprehensive treatment of Prakrit prosody.
- Prose and Verse: The text utilizes a mix of Sanskrit (for commentary and definitions) and Prakrit (for the original sūtras and examples).

Key Figures and Concepts Mentioned:

Piṅgala: The original author of the metrical Sūtras, often referred to as Piṅgala Nāga or Piṅgala Nāgarāja.
Lakṣmīnātha Bhaṭṭa: The commentator whose work is being presented.
Śivadatta and Kāśīnāth Pāṇḍurang Parab: The editors of this specific edition.
Guru-Laghu: The fundamental concept of heavy and light syllables.
Gana: Metrical feet (units of syllables).
Mātrā: Unit of syllable duration.
Prastāra: Method of systematically arranging metrical patterns.
Yati: Caesura or pause within a verse.
Prāsa: Rhyme or alliteration.
Doṣa (Error): Metrical faults that detract from the beauty of poetry.
Uddharaṇa (Example): Verses used to illustrate the meters.
Ṭīkā (Commentary): Lakshmīnātha's "Piṅgala-Pradīpa."
Other Commentaries: Mention of a "Piṅgala-Sāravikāśinī" by Ravikara is made.

Significance and Context:

Prakrit Studies: This work is crucial for understanding Prakrit literature and linguistics, as metrics play a vital role in classical Indian poetic traditions.
Jain Connection: While the Sūtras are attributed to Piṅgala, a figure not exclusively Jain, the publication by a Jain institution (Jain Education International for Private and Personal Use Only) and inclusion in their catalog suggests a relevance or interest within the Jain community, possibly due to the study of Prakrit in Jain religious and philosophical texts. Prakrit was a widely used language in Jain literature.
Scholarly Edition: The involvement of editors like Pandit Śivadatta and Kāsīnāth Pāṇḍurang Parab indicates a scholarly approach to presenting the text, likely involving collation of manuscripts and critical analysis.

Overall Impression:

The "Prâkṛta-Piṅgala-Sūtras with the Commentary of Lakshmīnātha Bhaṭṭa" is a foundational text for anyone studying Prakrit metrics. It offers a deep dive into the structural rules and poetic forms of Prakrit, supported by a detailed commentary that aims for clarity and completeness. The extensive listing of meters highlights the richness and complexity of Prakrit poetic traditions.