Puhaichandchariyam

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Puhaichandchariyam," based on the provided catalog link and the text itself, focusing on its content and significance within Jain literature.

Book Title: Puhaichandchariyam (पुहइचंदचरियं) Author: Ācārya Śāntisūri (आचार्य श्री शान्तिसूरि) Text Edited By: Pannyasa Muni Shri Ramnikvijayji (प. पू. मु. श्री रमणिकविजयजी) Publisher: Prakrit Text Society, Ahmedabad (प्राकृत टेक्स्ट सोसायटी, अहमदाबाद) Publication Year: 2006 (Reprint-November-2006) Language: Prakrit, with extensive use of Desya words.

Overall Summary:

The "Puhaichandchariyam" (Earth-Moon Chronicle) is a significant work of Prakrit narrative literature composed by Acarya Śāntisūri in 1105 AD (Vikram Samvat 1161). It chronicles the life story of Puhaichanda (also transliterated as Prithvichandra or Puhaichamd), a central figure in Jain mythology, tracing his journey through numerous births. The work is highly regarded for its rich narrative, linguistic richness, and inclusion of various folk tale motifs and cultural elements from ancient and medieval India.

Key Aspects and Content:

1. Author and Lineage: Acarya Śāntisūri was a disciple of Acarya Nemichandra Sūri, who was a disciple of Acarya Sarvadev Sūri of the Chandrakulin lineage. This indicates a strong scholarly and spiritual lineage behind the composition.

2. Significance in Prakrit Literature:

   • Dharmakatha: It holds an important place as a religious narrative (Dharmakatha) in the history of Prakrit literature.
   • Narrative Literature: It is decorated with numerous small religious tales (laghu dharmakathānakas) and showcases specific Prakrit language and Desya word usage.
   • Folk Tale Motifs: The text is notable for incorporating several well-known tale-types and motifs, offering early Jain versions of popular stories. Examples highlighted include:
     • The 'Magic Bird-Heart' Tale: A Jain version of the 'Magic Bird-Heart' tale is presented, predating similar narratives found in later commentaries, offering significant details and variations.
     • Magic Kohl: The motif of magic kohl that transforms humans into animals and back is found, here with princesses being turned into camels.
     • The Captive Princesses Tale: This story is identified as the earliest known version of the medieval tale known as 'Narmadatir-ro Jogi'.
     • The Two Travelers Tale: The tale of Dhada and Dharana embodies an interesting version of the 'Two Travelers' motif.
     • Proverbial Expression Averting Danger: The story of Siddhadatta and Kapila illustrates how a proverbial expression, elaborated into a verse through the experiences of characters, can avert danger at a critical moment.
     • Folktales in Gujarat: The tale of the foolish son of a village headman is noted as still being current in Gujarat, having sourced a Gujarati proverbial expression.
     • Tales of Idiots: The story of the Brahmin boy Kesava is also met with elsewhere as a popular tale of idiocy.

3. Linguistic Significance:

   • Desya Words: The "Puhaichandchariyam" is linguistically noteworthy for its liberal use of Desya words (local or vernacular words). The occurrence of these words in a literary work predating Hemachandra's Desinamamala authenticates some of its entries and suggests an earlier source of Desi lexicons. Ramaniklal Bhojak's introduction and the General Editor's foreword by H.C. Bhayani highlight specific words and their linguistic implications, aiding in clarifying their form and meaning.
   • Early Literary Diction: Many words reveal the influence of contemporary popular dialects, indicating emergent trends in literary diction.

4. Literary Style: The text is described as highly ornate in numerous descriptive passages, full of Śleṣa (puns) and various other figures of speech. Śāntisūri's ability to handle Kavya diction is evident, securing him a place among later Jain narrative writers and Campū writers who preserved Sanskrit and Prakrit prose-Kavya traditions.

5. Manuscript Basis: The edition is based on four manuscripts, three of which are palm-leaf manuscripts dating from the 12th century AD. The dedication manuscript from Jaisalmer dates to Vikram Samvat 1225 (1168 AD), written during the reign of Kumarapala. This manuscript provides crucial details about the historical context of its copying.

6. Commentaries and Glosses: The Samketa gloss by Ratnaprabhasuri, provided at the foot of the printed text, is of great value for explaining difficult words and passages.

7. Structure and Appendices: The present edition includes a detailed introduction by Pandit Amritlal Mohanlal Bhojak, a descriptive Table of Contents (Grathanukramaḥ), and numerous appendices:

   • First Appendix: Index of special names (names of places, kings, merchants, etc.) in alphabetical order.
   • Second Appendix: Classification of these special names into 46 departments.
   • Third Appendix: List of Apabhramsa verses found in the text with their subject matter and locations.
   • Fourth Appendix: Locations of eulogies and salutations (stuti-vandanā).
   • Fifth Appendix: List of descriptive passages (varnakas) in alphabetical order.
   • Sixth Appendix: List of subhashitas (wise sayings) in Prakrit, with their initial words and locations.
   • Seventh Appendix: Index of special words (gadyapadyāṁśas) in the form of sayings.

8. Biblical Context and Influence: The text is noted for its influence on subsequent Jain literature. Acarya Śrī Muni Chandra Sūri's Upadesha-pad tika extensively borrows tales from "Puhaichandchariya," sometimes verbatim, without attribution, demonstrating its popularity and authority. The author's self-reference in the colophon indicates a deliberate structure and conscious effort in composition.

9. Thematic Content: The work emphasizes Jain principles such as renunciation, the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures, virtues like non-violence, truthfulness, etc., and the importance of ethical conduct and spiritual progress. It also delves into various aspects of human relationships, social customs, and the consequences of actions (karma).

10. Sad Demise of Editor: The preface sadly records the demise of Muni Ramnikvijayji on January 15, 1969, after the text had been prepared for publication.

11. Multiple Traditions: The introduction notes that there are at least two distinct traditions of "Prithvichandra Charitra," one in Prakrit (by Śāntisūri) and another tradition influenced by Manikya Sundar Sūri. The summary lists several Sanskrit and Gujarati works based on these traditions.

12. Cultural Insights: The text offers glimpses into various cultural aspects, including ancient mechanical devices (yantra prayoga) mentioned in tales, such as mechanical puppets and birds. It also touches upon the practice of pre-arranged marriages, the significance of hermitages (tapasāśrama) in providing spiritual guidance and education, the concept of divine boons, the use of gems for healing, the worship of Yakṣas, and reflections on the responsibilities of rulers.

In essence, "Puhaichandchariyam" is a valuable literary and linguistic treasure in Prakrit, offering not only a compelling Jain narrative but also profound insights into folk traditions, linguistic evolution, and the philosophical underpinnings of Jainism.