Prathamanuyog Shastra Ane Tena Praneta Sthavir Aryakalaka

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This document, titled "Prathamanuyog Shastra ane Tena Praneta Sthavir Aryakalaka" by Punyavijay, delves into the significance of the Prathamanuyog Shastra and its reviver, Sthavir Arya Kalaka. The text draws upon various Jain scriptures like Avashyak Niyukti, Vasu Sree, Samavaya Sutra, and Nandisutra to explain these concepts.

The Prathamanuyog Shastra:

• Definition and Content: The Prathamanuyog Shastra is described as a vast and specialized text that falls under Dharmakathanuyog (the discourse on religious narratives). It is primarily concerned with detailing the lives and events of significant figures in Jainism. Specifically, it covers:

  • Past lives (Purvabhava): The previous existences of Tirthankaras and other important individuals.
  • Ascent to heavens (Devalokagamana), Demise from heavens (Chavana), and Births (Janma).
  • Royal activities: Coronation, obtaining kingdoms, renunciation, penance, attainment of omniscience (Kevalajnana), and establishment of religious orders (Tirthapravartana).
  • Physical characteristics: Details about bodily composition (Sanghayana), structure (Samsthana), height (Ucchatva), lifespan (Ayuh), and bodily divisions (Varnavibhaga).
  • Disciples and Sangha: Information about disciples, communities (Gana), chief disciples (Ganadharas), female ascetics who lead the Sangha (Pravartani), and the size of the four-fold Sangha.
  • Spiritual attainments: Knowledge of omniscient beings (Kevalajnin), mind-reading (Manahparyayajnani), clairvoyance (Avadhijnani), those who possess fourteen Purvas (Chaturdashapurvadhar), debaters (Vadin), those who attain the highest heavens (Anuttara Vimanagaminah), and the number of Siddhas (liberated souls) and their lifespan in the liberated state.
  • Other figures: Biographies of Chakravartis (Universal Monarchs) and Dasharhas (the dynasty of Vasudeva).
  • General enumerations: Details about fasts, vows, and the paths to liberation.

• Two Categories: The text mentions two types of Anuyoga:

  • Mulaprathamanuyoga: The original Prathamanuyoga.
  • Gandikanuyoga: A related category that deals with lineages and specific events.

• Gandikanuyoga: This category includes details about:

  • Kulaankaras (Primordial kings)
  • Tirthankaras
  • Chakravartis
  • Dasharhas
  • Vasudevas
  • Harivansha (the lineage of Krishna)
  • Bhadrabahus
  • Practices of penance (Tapokarma)
  • Various paintings or murals (Chitraantar)
  • The ascending and descending eras (Utsarpini and Avasarpini).
  • The transmigration of souls through heavenly, human, animal, and hellish realms.

• Loss and Revival: The original Prathamanuyoga is considered to have been lost or destroyed centuries ago. However, Sthavir Arya Kalaka is credited with its revival or reconstruction based on the available fragments and information. The Prathamanuyog mentioned in later texts like Vasu Deva Vihadi, Avashyak Churni, and Anuyogadvara Vritti refers to this revived version.

• Content Evolution: While earlier versions might have focused solely on Tirthankaras, Arya Kalaka's revival likely included the biographies of Chakravartis and Dasharhas as well, possibly aligning with works like Chauppannamahapurusa Chariya and Trishashtishalakapurushacharitra. The Prathamanuyog was composed in both prose and verse.

Sthavir Arya Kalaka:

• Revivalist and Scholar: Sthavir Arya Kalaka was a prominent scholar and reviver of lost Jain texts. He is credited with reconstructing:

  • The Prathamanuyog Shastra.
  • The Gandikanuyoga.
  • Lokaanuyoga (likely referring to texts related to general populace or worldly affairs).
  • Sangrahani texts for Jain Agamas (digestive summaries).

• Mastery of Divination: Arya Kalaka studied the Ashtanga Nimitta Vidya (the science of eight limbs of divination) from Ajivika ascetics. This knowledge was crucial for him to revive certain aspects of Jain tradition that had faded. He is mentioned as having acquired this knowledge because the Buddha had prohibited its teaching among Jain ascetics.

• Encounter with King Shalivahana: Arya Kalaka was a contemporary of King Shalivahana. The king approached him with three questions:

  1. Why do goats and other animals excrete dung?
  2. How much water is there in the ocean?
  3. Will Mathura fall or not? Arya Kalaka's profound answers impressed the king, who rewarded him with a costly bracelet for the first answer and two earrings for the latter two. The Ajivika ascetics who taught him claimed these jewels as their guru dakshina.

• Reconstruction of Texts: After completing his studies, Arya Kalaka engaged in the reconstruction of lost texts. He is mentioned as having recompiled Lokaanuyoga and Prathamanuyoga for those whose scriptural knowledge had become weak or forgotten.

• Chronology and Association: His association with King Shalivahana is further evidenced by his observance of the Samvatsari festival on the fourth day of Bhadrapada Shukla instead of the fifth, likely due to a request or involvement related to the king. This firmly establishes him as a contemporary of Shalivahana. It is also noted that the Arya Kalaka who authored the Prajnapan Sutra is a different individual.

• Unusual Practices: A notable aspect of Arya Kalaka's life was his practice of celebrating Samvatsari on the fourth day of Bhadrapada Shukla, which deviates from the traditional fifth day.

Legends and Traditions:

• Divine Intervention: There are legends suggesting that the Prathamanuyog existed in secret locations and was sometimes lent to esteemed acharyas by deities. One account mentions the text being given to Kharatara Acharya Shri Jintadatta Suri by the ruling deity, while another suggests Acharya Shri Hemachandra read it in a single night, enabling him to compose the Trishashtishalakapurushacharitra. However, the author expresses skepticism about the veracity of these divine interventions.

• Skepticism towards Supernatural Accounts: The author views these accounts of divine intervention as possibly fabricated or exaggerated, perhaps due to scholarly rivalry or the desire for sensationalism. The example of a deity preventing the reading of the Nayachakra and Padmacharitra by a particular acharya is cited as an absurd tale.

Clarification on Panchakalpa Mahabhashya:

• The author clarifies that Panchakalpa Mahabhashya is not an independent sutra but a section separated from the Kalpa Sutra (Brihatkalpa Sutra), similar to how Oghaniryukti is separated from Avashyak Niryukti.

In essence, this document highlights the Prathamanuyog Shastra as a vital repository of Jain historical and biographical information, emphasizing its loss and the crucial role of Sthavir Arya Kalaka in its revival. It also sheds light on Arya Kalaka's scholarly pursuits, his interactions with royalty, and the scholarly traditions surrounding his work.