Pravachansara

This document is a critical edition and translation of the Jain text Pravachanasara (Pavayanasara), authored by Kundakundacharya, with Sanskrit commentaries by Amritacandra and Jayasena, and a Hindi commentary by Pande Hemaraja. The English translation is provided by A. N. Upadhye, who also authored an exhaustive introductory essay.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the provided text, based on the Table of Contents and the introductory essay:

1. Introduction by A. N. Upadhye: This is a substantial essay covering various facets of Kundakundacharya and Pravachanasara: * General Appreciation of Kundakunda: Highlights his esteemed position in Jain literature, second only to Mahavira and Gautama, and the reverence for his works, particularly the "Nataka-traya" (Pañcastikaya, Pravachanasara, Samayasara). * Traditional Names: Discusses and critically evaluates various names attributed to Kundakunda, such as Padmanandi, Vakragriva, Elacharya, and Grdhrapiccha, comparing them with epigraphic and literary evidence. * Kundakunda's Date: Delves into the complex issue of his dating, examining traditional views, the opinions of scholars like Pt. Premi, Dr. Pathak, Prof. Chakravarti, and Pt. Jugalkishore, and presenting a summary of the evidence. * Kundakunda's Works: Provides a detailed overview of the numerous works attributed to Kundakunda, analyzing their contents and offering critical remarks on each. This includes the "Ten Bhaktis," "Eight Pahudas," Rayanasara, Barasa-Anuvēkkhā, Niyamasara, Pañcastikaya, and Samayasara. * Study of Pravachanasara: * Its place in Oriental studies. * Critical analysis of the text and its two recensions (Amritacandra's and Jayasena's). * Summary of the contents of the three books of Pravachanasara. * Detailed exploration of its philosophical aspects, including Jaina ontology, the nature of spirit and matter, the doctrine of three upayogas, the theory of omniscience, the atomic theory, Syadvada, and the Jaina conception of divinity. * Discussion of the monastic aspect of Pravachanasara, describing the ideal Jaina monk and offering critical remarks on ascetic practices. * Commentators of Pravachanasara: Provides monographs on the six known commentators: Amritacandra (Tattvadipika), Jayasena (Tātparya-vitti), Balacandra (Kannada Tatparya-vṛtti), Prabhacandra (Sarojabhaskara), Mallisena (Tika), and Pande Hemaraja (Hindi Balavabodha). * Prakrit Dialect of Pravachanasara: A detailed grammatical analysis of the Prakrit dialect used in the text, discussing vowels, consonants, sandhi, declensions, conjugations, and its classification among Prakrit dialects, including a critique of Pischel's "Jaina Sauraseni" designation and Denecke's views.

2. The Text of Pravachanasara: * The text is presented critically edited, incorporating Sanskrit commentaries of Amritacandra and Jayasena, and a Hindi commentary of Pande Hemaraja. * An English translation of the text is provided. * A topical index, a table of various readings, and an index of quotations in the commentaries are included.

3. Key Themes and Philosophical Content of Pravachanasara (as outlined in the Introduction):

The Pravachanasara itself is a significant Jain text that delves into core Jain philosophical and ethical principles. Based on the summary and philosophical analysis in the introduction, the book primarily focuses on:

• The Path to Liberation: It outlines the spiritual journey towards liberation (moksha), emphasizing the importance of Right Faith (Samyak-darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak-jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak-charitra).
• The Nature of the Soul (Jiva): It describes the soul as an intrinsically pure, conscious, and blissful entity, which, due to its beginningless association with karma, experiences transmigration and suffering. The ultimate goal is the soul's realization of its pure, liberated state.
• The Threefold States of Consciousness (Upayoga): The text distinguishes between inauspicious (ashubha), auspicious (shubha), and pure (shuddha) states of consciousness. While inauspicious states lead to suffering and bondage, and auspicious states lead to heavenly pleasures, it is the pure state of consciousness (Shuddhopayoga) that leads to liberation and eternal bliss.
• Ontology and Metaphysics: It elaborates on the Jain ontological framework, discussing the nature of substances (dravya), qualities (guna), and modifications (paryaya), and the fundamental categories of existence like Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time).
• Omniscience (Sarvajñata): The text upholds the doctrine of omniscience as an essential attribute of the liberated soul, attained through the destruction of karmic veils.
• Ethics and Monasticism: It provides a detailed exposition of the ideal conduct of a Jain monk, emphasizing non-attachment, austerity, the observance of vows, and the purification of the mind. It also touches upon the limitations of sensory knowledge and pleasures.
• Syadvada: While not the primary focus of the summary here, the introduction indicates that Syadvada, the Jain doctrine of conditional predication, is a significant philosophical aspect discussed in relation to the complexity of reality and the limitations of human knowledge.

Overall, the document presents a comprehensive scholarly work aimed at making the profound teachings of Kundakundacharya's Pravachanasara accessible to a wider audience through critical editing, translation, and detailed analysis of its linguistic, philosophical, and historical contexts.