Sanskrut Me Prachin Jain Sahitya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "संस्कृत में प्राचीन जैन साहित्य" (Ancient Jain Literature in Sanskrit) by Shivcharanlal Jain, based on the provided PDF excerpt:

The article "Ancient Jain Literature in Sanskrit" by Shivcharanlal Jain highlights the significant, yet historically overlooked, contributions of Jain scholars and monks to Sanskrit literature.

The author begins by noting that before the 20th century, ancient Jain literature in Sanskrit was largely unknown to scholars. It was German scholar Dr. Jacobi who first brought these invaluable works to light by meticulously searching Jain manuscript repositories and conducting in-depth studies. He was followed by other Western scholars like Dr. Hertel, Keith, and Winternitz. The author attributes the earlier obscurity to a lack of Sanskrit scholars among Jains, partly because Brahmin scholars were hesitant to teach Sanskrit to Jains, whom they considered atheists. This situation improved later with the establishment of Jain Sanskrit schools in places like Banaras and Morena, which produced numerous learned Jain scholars who edited and published these ancient texts. Despite the progress, many precious Jain Sanskrit works remain unpublished.

The article then traces the linguistic evolution of Jain literature. While Lord Mahavir, like Lord Buddha, delivered his teachings in Ardhamagadhi (a vernacular language understood throughout North India) for the benefit of all, and early Jain acharyas followed suit by writing in Ardhamagadhi, from the 6th century onwards, Jain acharyas adopted Sanskrit for their literary creations, similar to Mahayana Buddhist scholars. This adoption significantly enriched Sanskrit literature with their beautiful and important works.

The author clarifies that while "literature" in Sanskrit traditionally referred to poetry, drama, campu (mixed prose and verse), narratives, stories, hymns, and aphorisms, in the modern context, it encompasses all written works in a language. Therefore, ancient Jain Sanskrit literature includes all texts written by Jain acharyas and scholars in ancient times, regardless of whether they are poetic or related to Jain philosophy, principles, grammar, etc. The article intends to cover both poetic and other genres of Jain Sanskrit literature.

The article then proceeds to provide a brief overview of the various genres of ancient Jain Sanskrit literature:

Mahakavyas (Epic Poems): Jain scholars produced Mahakavyas that are comparable to renowned Sanskrit epics like Shishupala Vadha and Raghuvansha. Examples include Dharmasharmabhyudaya by Harishchandra, Chandraprabha Charitam by Acharya Viranandi, Mallinathacharitam and Munisuvratacharitam by Vijaya Suri, and Pradyumnacharitam, Parshvanathacharitam, and Pundarikacharitam by Kamalaprabha Suri. These works are noted for their beautiful blend of emotion and artistry, elegant descriptive style, and adherence to poetic conventions. Other notable Mahakavyas mentioned are Adinathacharita by Hemachandracharya, Vikramcharita by Shubhashila Gani, Jainkumarasambhava by Jayashekhara Suri, and Vastupala Charitam and Kumarapala Charitam by Jin Suri, among others.
Khandakavyas (Minor Poems): This category includes works like Parshvabhyudaya, Vidagdhamandana, Yudhishthira Vijaya, Draupadi Svayamvara, Kshatra Chudamani, and Pavan Jain. The Nemicharita or Neminirvana Kavya is highlighted for its creative completion of each line of Kalidasa's Meghaduta.
Dvyarthaka/Dvisandhana Kavyas (Double Meaning/Double Narrative Poems): Jain literature features unique works where two distinct narratives are interwoven using wordplay. Dvisandhana Mahakavya by Dhananjaya combines the Ramayana and the Mahabharata narratives. Raghavanaiṣadhīya Mahakavya by Haridatta Suri similarly intertwines the stories of Rama and King Nala. Raghavapandaviya also presents the stories of Rama and the Pandavas. The article notes that while Yamaka (a type of wordplay) is often used sparingly in Mahakavyas, Parshvabhyudaya is replete with it in every verse. Saptasandhana by Meghavijaya Suri is remarkable for weaving seven narratives together.
Gadyamay Akhyayikas (Prose Narratives): Jain prose narratives are compared to well-known Sanskrit works like Kadambari and Dashakumaracharita. Notable examples include Gadya Chintamani by Vadiraaja Suri and Tilakamanjari by Dhanapala. Other prose works like Narmadasundari Charita, Shantinath Charita, Chandrakeli Charita, Bhuvanbhanu Keli Charita, Prithvi Charita, Shilavrata Katha, Priyankara Nrpa Katha, Adabharatesvara Vrtti, Brihat Kathakosa, and Chandra Dhavala Bhupa Katha are also mentioned as enriching the treasure of Sanskrit prose.
Gadyamay Katha Sahitya (Prose Story Literature): Jain literature also boasts ample prose story collections such as Aparajita Kathanakam, Jain Katha Kosa, Chitra Sambhuti Katha, Parva Katha Sangraha, Bhavishyadatta Katha, and Muladeva Katha.
Campu Kavyas (Mixed Prose and Verse): Beautiful campu compositions are found in ancient Jain Sanskrit literature. Yashastilaka Campu by Somadeva Suri, Jivandhara Campu by Harishchandra, and Purudev Campu by other Jain poets are presented as excellent examples, comparable to non-Jain campu works like Nala Campu and Bharat Campu. Yashastilaka Campu is particularly noted for its insightful treatment of politics.
Sanskrit Dramas: While fewer in number, Jain Sanskrit dramas are also present. Vikrant Kaurava and Maithili Kalyana by Hastimalla Kavi are highly praised. Madanaprajaya by Kavi Nagadeva and others like Makardhwaja Parajaya, Muktibodha, Mudita Kumudachandra, and Prabodha Chandrodaya are noted for their beautiful personification of emotions.
Subhashita and Niti Granthas (Aphorisms and Ethical Treatises): Works like Subhashita Ratna Sandoha, Niti Vakyamrita, and Upadesha Tarangini are categorized as aphoristic or ethical works.
Stotras (Hymns): Jain poets composed beautiful poetic hymns. Devagama Stotra and Svayambhu Stotra by Samantabhadracharya are cited for their philosophical depth. The article mentions that commentaries like Atmamimamsa Vritti and Ashtasahasri Mahabhashya have been written on Devagama Stotra, which establishes Lord Jinendra as omniscient. Other notable hymns include Bhaktamara, Kalyana Mandira, Ekibhaava, Visapahaara, Rishi Mandala Stotra, and Jina Chaturvishati Stotra.
Jain Puranas: The article emphasizes the significance of Jain Puranas written in a poetic style. The earliest Jain Sanskrit Purana is Padma Purana (also known as the Jain Ramayana), versified in Sanskrit by Acharya Ravisen based on the Prakrit work Pauṃ Cariya by Vimala Suri. It also includes the lineage of Rama and Ravana. Following this, Acharya Jinasena composed Harivamsa Purana, and then the Mahapurana. Acharya Jinasena began the Adipurana, describing the first Tirthankara Rishabhadeva and his son Bharata Chakravarti. His principal disciple, Acharya Gunabhadra, completed it as the Uttarapurana, detailing the remaining 23 Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, Narayanas, Pratinarayanas, and Balabhadras. Other Puranas like Pandava Purana and Parshva Purana are also mentioned.
Alankara Granthas (Treatises on Poetics and Rhetoric): Jain acharyas also authored works on poetics, including Dasharupa by Dhananjaya (on drama) and Alankara Chintamani by Ajitasena. Kavya-anusasana and Vagbhata-alamkara by Vagbhatacharya, and Kavya-anusasana by Hemachandracharya are also highlighted. Works like Kavya Kalpavriksha Vritti, Prabandha Chintamani, and Prabandha Kosha are mentioned as educational texts for poetry composition. Dhananjaya Namamala, a Jain lexicon, is also noted.
Sanskrit Grammar: Ancient Jain acharyas also contributed to Sanskrit grammar with works like Shakatayana Vyakarana by Acharya Shakatayana, and Jainendra Vyakarana by Acharya Gunananadi, along with its commentaries such as Shabdarnava Chandrika, Jainendra Mahavritti, and Jainendra Prakriya.
Philosophical and Siddhantic Texts: While many early Jain philosophical texts were originally in Prakrit, their gathas (verses) were later translated into Sanskrit, making these chhaya-granthas (shadow texts) count as Sanskrit works. Notable examples include Gomattasara Jivakanda (on souls) and Gomattasara Karmakanda (on karma) by Gomattaswami, Dravya Sangraha (on six substances) and Panchastikaya (on five substances excluding time) by Nemicandra acharya, and Trilokaprajnapti (geographical description of the three worlds).
Achara Granthas (Ethical Codes): Prominent Jain Sanskrit ethical works include Ratnakaranda Shravakachara by Samantabhadracharya, Purushartha Siddhi Upaya by Amitagati Acharya, and Sagara Dharmamrita and Anagara Dharmamrita by Ashadhara Swami. These texts detail the rules, conduct, and activities for both lay followers (shravakas) and ascetics (munis).
Adhyatmika Granthas (Spiritual Texts): Jain acharyas also wrote spiritual works focusing on the soul-super-soul relationship, contemplation of impermanence, and meditation. Swamikartikeyanupreksha, Atmanushasana, Samayasara, and Pravachanasara are mentioned. Tattvartha Sutra or Moksha Shastra is presented as the foundational Sanskrit sutra text of Jain philosophy, divided into ten chapters covering the entirety of Jain principles, with extensive commentaries like Sarvarthasiddhi, Rajavartika, and Shlokavartika.
Jain Darshanashastras (Jain Philosophical Treatises): Jain literature is rich in works on Jain philosophy, written in eloquent Sanskrit. Jain Nyayadipika, Atmamimamsa, Atmapariksha, Jain Tattvanushasana, and Ashtasahasri are examples of texts that refute the beliefs of other philosophical schools and strongly support Jain principles with irrefutable logic, particularly those that refute Buddhist doctrines.
Tarkashastra (Logic): The foundational Sanskrit text for Jain logic is Pariksha Mukha in sutra form, with commentaries like Prameya Ratnamala (shorter) and Prameya Kamala Martanda (larger).
Other Sciences: The article also mentions that Jain literature includes works on mantra science (Mantra Shastra), astrology (Jyotisha Shastra), and medicine (Aushadha Shastra) in Sanskrit.

In conclusion, the author states that this brief introduction to Jain Sanskrit texts, in the broad sense of the word "literature," reveals the vast and significant contribution of Jain acharyas and scholars to Sanskrit language and literature.

The article also includes a concluding philosophical quote from Acharya Deshbhushanji Maharaj, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly pleasures and possessions and advocating for the pursuit of self-welfare through the Dharma taught by Lord Jinendra.