Prakrit Prabodh - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prakrit Prabodh" by Narchandrasuri, edited by Diptipragnashreeji. The summary is based on the provided pages, covering the title page, publisher information, dedication, preface, table of contents, and the beginning of the text itself.

Prakrit Prabodh: A Summary

1. Title and Authorship:

Title: Prakrit Prabodh (प्राकृतप्रबोधः)
Subtitle: A work demonstrating the processes and examples from the Prakrit grammar section (8th chapter) of Shri Siddha-Hema Prakrit Vyakarana Vritti (श्रीसिद्धहेमप्राकृतव्याकरणवृत्तिस्थ-कतिपयोदाहरणप्रक्रियाप्रदर्शकः).
Author: Maldhari Shri Narchandrasuri (मलधारि-श्रीनरचन्द्रसूरिः)
Editor: Sadhvi Shri Diptipragnashreeji (साध्वी श्रीदीप्तिप्रज्ञाश्रीः)

2. Publisher and Context:

Publisher: Kalikal Sarvagya Shri Hemchandracharya Navam Janmashatabdi Smruti Sanskar Shikshannidhi, Ahmedabad (कलिकालसर्वज्ञ-श्रीहेमचन्द्राचार्य-नवमजन्मशताब्दी-स्मृति-संस्कार-शिक्षण-निधि, अमदावाद).
Publication Year: 2012 CE (ई.स. २०१२) / 2068 VS (वि.सं. २०६८). This publication is part of a series aimed at supporting the study and teaching of Shri Hemchandracharya'In's Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana, particularly its Prakrit grammar section.
The preface highlights the trust's dedication to literary and educational activities in commemoration of the 9th birth centenary of Shri Hemchandracharya.

3. Dedication: The dedication, written in Prakrit verses, praises an unnamed figure, likely a revered Guru, for their immense knowledge, spiritual radiance, and virtuous character. It compares them to the moon illuminating the night, dispelling darkness, and making things bright and pure.

4. Preface (Prakashakiya - प्रकाशकीयम्):

The trust, established under the inspiration of Acharya Shri Vijayasuryodayasurishwarji Maharaj and guidance of Acharya Shri Vijayashilachandrasuriji Maharaj, is active in various literary and educational pursuits. These include publishing critically edited valuable texts, publishing the research journal 'Anusandhan' (59 issues so far), and honoring scholars with the 'Shri Hemchandracharya Chandrak' award.
This particular publication, "Prakrit Prabodh," is a significant undertaking in their series of supporting works for Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana.
It marks the first publication of this ancient text from the 13th century, authored by Maldhari Shri Narachandrasuri, which explains the process of deriving grammatical forms for important examples cited in the original Prakrit grammar commentary of Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana.
The editor, Sadhvi Shri Diptipragyashreeji, undertook the task under the guidance of Acharya Shri Vijayashilachandrasuriji Maharaj, basing the work on various manuscripts.
The preface expresses gratitude to the Acharya and the Sadhvi for making this valuable publication possible and thanks Kirit Graphics for the excellent printing.

5. Table of Contents (Anukrama - अनुक्रमः): The table of contents outlines the structure of the book:

Prasangik (Prasangik - प्रासङ्गिक): A contextual introduction by Acharya Shri Vijayashilachandrasuri.
Sampadan Paddhati (Sampadan Paddhati - सम्पादनपद्धति): Editorial methodology by Muni Trilokyamandana Vijay.
Prakrit Prabodh (प्राकृतप्रबोधः): The main text, divided into four Padas (sections):
- First Pada (प्रथमः पादः)
- Second Pada (द्वितीयः पादः)
- Third Pada (तृतीयः पादः)
- Fourth Pada (चतुर्थः पादः)
Parishishtani (परिशिष्टानि): Appendices, including:
- Shouraseni, Magadhi, etc. languages (शौरसेनी - मागधीत्यादिभाषा:).
- Apabhramsha language (अपभ्रंश भाषा).
- Index of examples from Prakrit Prabodh (प्राकृतप्रबोधगृहीतोदाहरणाकाराद्यनुक्रमः).
- Index of Prakrit Grammar Sutras (प्राकृतव्याकरण-सूत्राकाराद्यनुक्रमः).
- Index of Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana Sutras within Prakrit Prabodh (प्राकृतप्रबोधान्तर्गत-सिद्धहेमशब्दानुशासन-सूत्राकाराद्यनुक्रमः).

6. Contextual Introduction (Prasangik - प्रासङ्गिक):

This section introduces Acharya Shri Narachandrasuri of the Maladhari Gachha.
It traces the lineage of the Maladhari Gachha, starting from Harsha Puriya Gachha established in the 10th century. The title "Maladhari" was bestowed upon Acharya Abhayadeva Suri by King Karna Dev Solanki around the 12th century.
Acharya Hemachandra Suri, a renowned commentator, followed Abhayadeva Suri.
Shri Narachandrasuri, a disciple in this lineage, belonged to the 13th century. He authored several scholarly works, including "Narchandra Jain Jyotishsara" and "Katharatnakara."
"Prakrit Prabodh" is described as an academically rigorous work that elucidates the application and procedural steps of the Prakrit grammar (8th chapter) of Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana, serving as an authoritative resource for Prakrit grammar students and revealing the secrets of Siddha-Hema.
Narachandrasuri was not only a profound scholar but also a person of great self-control. The text mentions his foresight, such as accurately predicting the death date of Minister Vastupal ten years in advance, which influenced Vastupal's life towards greater religious endeavors.
The preface also notes that the entire guru tradition of the Maladhari Gachha produced highly knowledgeable and renounced scholars who authored many significant texts, many of which are still available.

7. Editorial Methodology (Sampadan Paddhati - संपादनपद्धति):

This section by Muni Trilokyamandana Vijay details the sources used for the edition.
The primary sources for "Prakrit Prabodh" are three manuscripts from the Gyan Bhandar of Sanvegi Upashray, Haja Patel ni Pol, Ahmedabad. All three are paper manuscripts.
Details are provided for each manuscript (catalog numbers, leaf counts, and initial/final colophons), noting that manuscript No. 2288 contains significant annotations.
Another manuscript, "Prakrit Prabodh Ashtabhashavritti" (No. 2162), was also available but not used as it seemed to be a copy of another manuscript.
Other references include two manuscripts of "Siddha-Hema Ashtamadhyaya Brihadvritti Deepika Prakrit Deepika" from the Vadi Parshvanath Gyan Bhandar, Patan.
A palm-leaf manuscript of the printed version of Shri Siddha-Hema Prakrit Vyakarana from the Shantimath Jain Gyan Bhandar, Khambhat (No. 254), is noted for its purity and important annotations.
The printed version of Shri Siddha-Hema Prakrit Grammar edited by P.L. Vaidya from the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune (1980), was also consulted.

8. Introduction to the Text's Purpose:

Acharya Hemachandra Suri, the "Kalikal Sarvagya" (omniscient of the Kali Yuga), provided the grammar for seven Prakrit languages (Maharashtri, Arsha, Shauraseni, Magadhi, Paishachi, Chulikapaishachi, and Apabhramsha) in the eighth chapter of Shri Siddha-Hema Shabdanushasana.
Narachandrasuri composed the "Prakrit Prabodh" to facilitate the understanding of the root words and examples presented in Hemachandra's own commentary on this grammar, specifically for the ease of deriving their forms.
Narachandrasuri explicitly states his intention at the beginning of the commentary: "In the eighth chapter of Siddha-Hema, the process of form-derivation is presented." He clarifies that his goal is not to provide an elaborate commentary on the grammar but solely to illustrate the process of form-derivation for the convenience of students.
At the end of the commentary, he explains that his effort to demonstrate form-derivation was a response to the prayers of his students, who were facing confusion due to differing interpretations emerging within a few decades of the grammar's creation. This work aims to resolve their confusion by presenting a consistent method.
While not detailing the derivation for every single application of every rule, Narachandrasuri systematically cites the relevant sutras for examples where the derivation might be complex or confusing for students. This approach is considered appropriate, as a student who diligently follows the derivations presented in this text should be able to deduce the forms for other applications.
The methodology section also notes that the text has undergone additions over time, with later manuscripts (15th-16th century) containing more sutras and examples than the older ones (estimated to be around 5%). "Prakrit Deepika" is considered an enlarged version of "Prakrit Prabodh."
The editor highlights that the original experimenters of the text were the disciples of Acharya Diptipragyashreeji.

9. Beginning of the Text (First Pada - प्रथमः पादः):

The text begins with a Sanskrit invocation: "Salutations to Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath! Salutations to Shri Gautam Swami, the repository of infinite virtues! Salutations to Shri Guru Nemisuri!"
The first Sutra (1.1) is presented with its Prakrit form and example: "Kai'avam" (कैअवं) for "Kaitava" (कैतव).
The text then proceeds to explain the grammatical rules and derivations in a concise, sutra-like manner, citing the relevant rules from Shri Hemachandra's grammar (e.g., "Kagachajatape tyadi na lugetaluk," "Klībe svarān m se," "Mo'nusvāraḥ").
The examples continue with "Sau'ari'am" (सौअरिअं) for "Saudarya" (सौदर्य), "Kauravo" (कौरवो) for "Kaurava" (कौरव), and then moves on to various sutras and their applications with Prakrit examples like "Antāvei" (अंतावेई), "Sattāvīsā" (सत्तावीसा), "Jauṇāyaḍaṁ" (जउँणायडं), etc., illustrating phonological and morphological changes in Prakrit.

This summary covers the initial pages, providing a good overview of the book's purpose, lineage, editorial approach, and the commencement of its grammatical exposition.