Prashnottar Shatam

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prashnottar Shatam" by Ratnakirtivijay and Trailokyamandanvijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Prashnottar Shatam (प्रश्नोत्तरशतम्) Author(s): Jinavallabhasuri (original composition), Muni Ratnakirtivijay, Muni Trailokyamandanvijay (editors/commentators) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229465/1

Overview and Nature of the Work:

"Prashnottar Shatam" is a unique and enigmatic composition by the Kharatargachhiya scholar Jinavallabhasuri. Despite its title suggesting one hundred questions, most recensions contain around 150 verses, with this edited version containing 158 verses. The work is characterized by its "kutaakshar" (कूटाक्षर) or "enigmatic" nature, meaning the answers to the questions posed are hidden within coded words or complex wordplay.

The Commentary (Avachuri):

The edited text includes an unknown author's commentary, in the form of an "avachuri" (अवचूरि). This commentary is crucial as it unravels the cryptic answers hidden within the original verses. The commentary meticulously explains the method of deciphering these answers, which involves:

• Sandhichchhed (सन्धिविच्छेद): Breaking down compound words into their constituent parts.
• Aksharonī āgaḷ-pāchhaḷ goṭhavaṇī (अक्षरोनी आगळ-पाछळ गोठवणी): Rearranging letters within a word.
• Other wordplay and linguistic manipulations.

The commentary is praised for being concise yet effective, leaving little ambiguity after its perusal. The editors have highlighted the "kutaakshar" answers in the text by printing them with reduced letter sizes.

Editorial Approach and Challenges:

The current edition is based on a manuscript written in VS 1618 (1561 CE). The editors acknowledge that this manuscript was highly impure and contained many errors. The successful editing and purification of the text were only possible with the assistance of another published work: "Prashnottaraikashashtishatakakavyam," which contains a different commentary on the same work, edited by Ma. Vinaysagarji and A. Somchandrasuriji. The editors express their gratitude to them for enabling the completion of this edition.

Structure and Content:

The book is structured as a series of verses, each posing one or more questions. The subsequent lines, often labeled with numbers corresponding to the questions, provide the cryptic answer. The commentary then breaks down these answers, explaining how they are derived from the original verse's question(s).

The text covers a wide range of topics, often framed within philosophical, religious, and sometimes even everyday contexts, typical of Jain literature. The questions and answers are designed to test the intellect and understanding of the reader, requiring a deep knowledge of Sanskrit grammar, etymology, and Jain philosophical concepts.

Examples of the Question-Answer Format (from the provided pages):

• Verse 2: Asks about the nature of bodies and the "ladder of artisans" and the "rope" that uplifts those drowning in the ocean of existence. The answer is related to "Jina dantaruci" (जिनदन्तरुचयः), meaning the lustre of the Jina's teeth.
• Verse 3: Inquires about what a person who makes something "prosperous" looks like, what a water-dweller desires in water, and what a lover craves. The answer relates to "samudrataraṇam" (समुद्रतरणम्), meaning crossing the ocean.
• Verse 4: Poses questions about what kind of flower the bee-swarm doesn't adore, whose journey is halted during the rains, what makes the sun cause distress, what Ravan's sister Rama made, and whose hearts are delighted by beautiful-eyed women. The answer is "aparāgamanasām" (अपरागमनसाम्), referring to those with disinterested minds.
• Verse 5: Asks about Karna's intention in the battle between Vishnu and Arjuna, and the type of snake-heap found on a battlefield crowded with Nakula's lineage. The answer is "vilasadanaṛataḥ" (विलसदनरतः), referring to one who is engrossed in playing.

Key Features and Significance:

• Intellectual Engagement: The "kutaakshar" format makes the text a challenging intellectual puzzle, encouraging deep engagement with language and thought.
• Preservation of Knowledge: The commentary ensures that the intricate linguistic techniques and the underlying meanings are preserved and accessible.
• Linguistic Prowess: The work showcases remarkable linguistic skill and creativity, demonstrating the author's mastery of Sanskrit and wordplay.
• Jain Philosophy: While the specific philosophical discussions are embedded within the cryptic answers, the context and many of the questions clearly relate to Jain principles, such as liberation, karma, and the nature of the soul.
• Historical Manuscript: The reference to the VS 1618 manuscript highlights the historical significance of the text and the efforts made to preserve it.

In essence, "Prashnottar Shatam" is a classical Jain text that uses a sophisticated system of linguistic puzzles to explore philosophical and religious themes. The provided commentary is essential for unlocking its meanings, offering a glimpse into the intellectual and literary traditions of Jainism.