Pramey Kamal Marttand

The text is a comprehensive summary of the Jain philosophical treatise "Pramey Kamal Marttand" by Shri Prabha Chandra, with an introduction and commentary by Pt. Mahendra Kumar Shastri. The book is a detailed commentary on Manik Nandi's "Pareeksha Mukh Sutra" and is also known by the name "Pareeksha Mukhalankar".

Key aspects of the text include:

• Commentary on Manik Nandi's Pareeksha Mukh Sutra: The primary purpose of "Pramey Kamal Marttand" is to provide an extensive explanation of Manik Nandi's foundational text on Jain logic and epistemology, "Pareeksha Mukh Sutra."
• Detailed Analysis of Jain Philosophy: The text delves into various aspects of Jain philosophy, particularly focusing on logic, valid knowledge (pramana), and invalid knowledge (pramanabhasa).
• Comparative Philosophy: The editor, Pt. Mahendra Kumar Shastri, has made efforts to provide a comparative analysis, including a comparison of "Pareeksha Mukh Sutra" with texts from other Jain and non-Jain philosophical traditions. This includes tracing the influence of earlier works like Dignaga and Dharmakirti, as well as later works by Vadidevasuri and Hemachandra.
• Scholarly Edition: The second edition, published in 1941, features significant improvements over the first edition (1912). These include:
  • Sutra Organization: The Sutras are systematically incorporated into the commentary for clarity.
  • Textual Purification: Corrections have been made to textual inaccuracies found in the first edition.
  • Citation of Sources: References (Avataran Suchi) are provided for all quotations from other texts.
  • Comprehensive Indexing: Various indexes, including lists of technical terms and referenced texts/authors, are included for easy navigation and study.
  • Comparative Notes: The first chapter includes comparative notes with other Jain and non-Jain philosophical works to aid in understanding and contextualizing the text.
• Historical and Biographical Context: The introduction and preface provide context about the author, Shri Prabha Chandra, and the significance of his work within the Jain philosophical tradition. It also discusses the dating of Manik Nandi and Prabha Chandra, placing them in the 10th century CE.
• Inclusion of Appendices: The book is enriched with several appendices that enhance its scholarly value, such as:
  • The original text of "Pareeksha Mukh Sutra."
  • An index of quotations.
  • A glossary of technical terms used in "Pareeksha Mukh Sutra" and "Pramey Kamal Marttand."
  • A list of texts and authors mentioned in "Pramey Kamal Marttand."
  • Variant readings from another manuscript.
• Exploration of Specific Philosophical Topics: The detailed table of contents (Vishayanukram) reveals the text's extensive coverage of topics such as:
  • The nature of knowledge (pramana).
  • Theories of causation (karana).
  • The concept of the soul (atma).
  • Debates on the existence of God (Ishwarvad).
  • Theories of creation and Prakriti ( Prakriti Kartrutvavad).
  • The Jain perspective on the concept of "the body" (bhutachaitanyavad).
  • Discussions on the nature of language and its relation to reality (shabdadvaitavad, apohavad, sphotavad).
  • Analysis of various schools of thought, including Buddhist, Mimamsa, Nyaya, and Vedanta.
  • Detailed examination of the concept of universal knowledge (sarvajnatva).
  • Critique of various theories of error (viparyaya, anyathakhyati, akhyati, asatkhyati, atmakhyati, anirvacaniya-khyati).
  • Theories of the self (atman).
  • The concept of time (kala) and space (dik).
  • The nature of soul (atma) and its liberation (moksha).
  • The exhaustive refutation of various heterodox and orthodox philosophical viewpoints through extensive argumentation and citation.
  • The text also engages with the complex issue of the timing and influence of various philosophical schools and thinkers, including extensive discussions on the philosophical lineage and approximate dates of scholars like Akalanka, Dharmakirti, Prabhachandra, Vyanakesha, Jayanta, Vacaspati Mishra, Vyomashiva, Udayana, Vidyananda, Haribhadra Suri, Siddhasena Divakara, and Yasovijaya.

In essence, "Pramey Kamal Marttand" is presented as a monumental work of Jain logic and philosophy, meticulously edited and annotated, providing a deep dive into the intricate arguments and refutations characteristic of Indian philosophical discourse, particularly within the Jain tradition.