Sanskruti Sahitya Ke Vikas Me Jainacharyo Ka Yogadan

This document, "Contribution of Jain Acharyas in the Development of Sanskrit Literature" by Dr. Kasturchand Kasliwal, highlights the significant role Jain scholars and ascetics played in enriching Sanskrit literature across various genres.

The introduction emphasizes that Jain acharyas contributed to every branch of Sanskrit literature, always keeping public interest in mind. They authored valuable works in Sanskrit, alongside Prakrit, encompassing poetry, biographies, stories, dramas, Puranas, prosody, and poetics. Despite the vastness of Jain Sanskrit literature, its publication and proper evaluation have been lacking, preventing it from receiving its due recognition. Rajasthan alone houses millions of Sanskrit manuscripts in its Jain libraries.

The document then delves into specific areas:

Philosophy and Logic (Darshan evam Nyaya):

• Samantabhadra (2nd century): Considered a proponent of Jain philosophy, he systematically presented Anekantavada. His works, Aptamimamsa and Yuktyanushasana, are crucial. Aptamimamsa criticizes absolutist viewpoints and explains the Syadvada doctrine, while Yuktyanushasana logically proves the flawlessness of the Jain faith.
• Bhattakalanka (7th century): Regarded as the founder of Jain logic, his followers adopted his philosophical path. His key works include Ashtashati, Laghiyasthraya, Pramanasangraha, Nyayavinishchaya, and Siddhivinishchaya.
• Haribhadra Suri (8th century): Re-established the Anekanta principle with works like Anekantajayapataka, Shatdarshanasamuccaya, and Anekantavada.
• Manikyanandi: Presented Jain logic in aphoristic form in his Parikshamukha.
• Prabhachandra (c. 825 AD): Wrote an extensive commentary, Prameyakamalamartanda, on Parikshamukha, significantly contributing to Jain logic.
• Vidyānandi (9th century): A profound scholar of Jain logic, his works like Aptapariksha, Ashtasahasri, Pramanapariksha, Patrapariksha, and Tattvarthashlokavartika offer authentic critiques of various beliefs and support the ideas of Akalanka.
• Devasena (10th century): Authored significant logical works such as Laghu-naya-chakra, Brihad-naya-chakra, and Palapapaddhati.
• Anantavirya (10th century): Wrote a popular commentary, Prameyaratnamala, on Parikshamukha.
• Hemachandra Suri (11th-12th century): His contributions to Jain logic and Sanskrit literature in general were extraordinary. His Pramanamiimamsa is considered a unique work in Jain logic.
• Other notable philosophers mentioned include Devasuri, Chandraprabhasuri, Maghanandi, and Rajasekhara Suri.
• Abhinava Dharmabhushana (18th century): His Nyayadipika is recognized for its clear and accessible exposition of fundamental Jain logic principles.
• Pandit Chainsukhdas Nyayatirtha (20th century): His Jaindarshanasara offers a concise and simple overview of Jain philosophy.

Poetry (Kavya): Jain acharyas made significant contributions to Sanskrit poetry, composing Mahakavyas (epic poems), Champukavyas (prose-poetry), Charitrakavyas (biographical poems), and Drutakavyas (messenger poems). These works are rooted in the twelve limbs of Jain scripture and convey the message that ultimate happiness can be attained through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Jain poetry does not adhere to the Vedic caste system but considers monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen as the constituents of society. Their protagonists are not just gods, sages, or kings but also merchants, caravan leaders, householders, Tirthankaras, heroes, or ordinary humans.

• Jatasimhanandi (8th century): His Varangacharita is the first Mahakavya, detailing the life of Jain King Varanga in 31 cantos, replete with descriptions of cities, seasons, festivals, battles, etc.
• Jinasena (8th century): His Parshvabhyudaya narrates the life of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, in four cantos.
• Mahakavi Harichandra: Authored the Mahakavya Dharmasharmabhyudaya (21 cantos) about Tirthankara Dharmanatha and Jivandhara Champu, a unique prose-poetry work detailing the life of King Jivandhara.
• Viranandi (11th century): Composed Chandraprabhacharita (15 cantos) about the 8th Tirthankara, Chandraprabha.
• Mahakavi Dhananjaya (11th century): Created the Mahakavya Raghava Pandaviya (also known as Dvisandhana Mahakavya), which tells the stories of both Rama and the Pandavas, in 18 cantos.
• Mahakavi Vagbhata (12th century): Wrote the distinguished Mahakavya Neminirvana.
• Mahakavi Hemachandracharya (12th century): A prolific poet, his Trishashtishalakapurushacharita (biographies of 63 illustrious figures) and Dvyashraya Kavya (also known as Kumarpalcharita, detailing the life of King Kumarpal in 28 cantos) are unique Sanskrit compositions.
• Mahakavi Somadeva: His Yashastilaka Champu is an outstanding Champukavya depicting the life of King Yashodhara.
• Arhadasa (13th century): A disciple of Mahapandita Pashadhara, his Purudeva added to the Champukavya tradition by narrating the life of the first Tirthankara, Adinatha.
• Mahakavi Prasanga: His Mahavira Charita vividly portrays the life of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira.
• Other notable Charitrakavyas are mentioned, including works by Guna-bhadra, Devendra Suri, Devasuri, Pashadhara, and Arhadasa.
• Padmanabha (15th century): Composed the popular Yashodhara Charita in 1462 AD.
• Bhattaraka Sakalkirti (15th century): A profound Sanskrit scholar, he dedicated his life to the propagation of Sanskrit and authored over 25 notable works, including Yashodhara Charita, Mallinatha Charita, and many others.
• The tradition of composing Sanskrit poetry was continued by Bhattaraks and other ascetics in Sakalkirti's lineage, including Brahm Jinadas, Bhattaraka Somakirti, and Bhattaraka Shubhachandra, who penned numerous significant poetic works.
• Notable Sanskrit Jain poets from the Dhundhar region include Pandit Rajmall, Pandit Jagannath, and Bhattaraka Surendrakirti.

Grammar (Vyakaran): Jain acharyas also made substantial contributions to the field of Sanskrit grammar.

• Acharya Pujyapada: Considered the first Jain grammarian, he authored Jainendra Vyakarana, a comprehensive grammar with various commentaries.
• Shakatayana: His Shabdānushasana or Shakatayana Vyakarana is another important Jain grammatical work, with the author's own commentary, Amoghavritti.
• Acharya Hemachandra: A celebrated grammarian of his time, his Siddha-hema-shabdānushasana is highly popular, with numerous commentaries.
• Guna-ratna Suri: A disciple of Devendra Suri, he completed the grammar Kriyarathnasamuccaya in 1466 AD.
• Hansukala: Based on Hemachandra's Shabdānushasana, he composed Kavikalpadruma.
• Sarvavarma: A contemporary of Mahakavi Gunadhya, he created the Kātantra Rūpamālā for King Satavahana, a clear and concise grammar with 14 commentaries.
• Jain acharyas also wrote commentaries on other grammatical works, with over twenty commentaries on Sarasvata Vyakarana being available.

Drama (Natak): Jain acharyas were also accomplished playwrights.

• Hastimalla: A foremost Jain dramatist, he wrote plays like Vikrantakaurava, Sulochana Nataka, and Anjanapavananjaya, earning the title "Ubhaya-bhasha-kavi-chakravarti" (Emperor of Poets in Both Languages). He was a 13th-century playwright.
• Ramachandra Suri: A disciple of Hemachandra Suri, he set a record by writing 10 dramas, including Nalavilasa Nataka and Kaumudimitrananda.
• Vadichandra Suri (c. 1591 AD): Composed the Jnanodayanataka. Jain acharyas not only wrote plays but also played a vital role in preserving manuscripts of plays by other renowned playwrights like Kalidasa, Shudraka, and Vishakhadatta.

Purana Literature (Purana Sahitya): Jain acharyas and Bhattaraks contributed significantly to the composition of Puranas, which popularized Sanskrit readership and influenced the development of narrative literature. These Puranas often describe the lives of Tirthankaras, as well as other Shalaka Purushas (illustrious figures) like Narayanas, Pratinarayanas, Balabhadras, and Chakravartins.

• Acharya Raviṣeṇa: The first Purana composer, he presented Padma Purana in 678 AD, detailing the life of Rama.
• Jinasena and Guna-bhadra (early 9th century): Authored the Mahapurana, comprising Adipurana (by Jinasena) and Uttarapurana (by Guna-bhadra, Jinasena's disciple). The Mahapurana narrates the lives of 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, 9 Narayanas, 9 Pratinarayanas, and 9 Balabhadras.
• Jinasena II (9th century): Wrote the Harivamsa Purana, which describes the lives of the 22nd Tirthankara Neminatha, as well as Krishna, Balarama, and the Pandavas – essentially a Jain Mahabharata.
• Mahakavi Prasanga (12th century): Independently composed the Shantinatha Purana.
• Bhattaraka Sakalkirti (15th century): Further contributed to Puranic literature with works like Adinatha Purana and Uttarapurana. His disciple, Mahakavi Brahm-jinadas, enhanced the popularity of Puranas by composing Harivamsa Purana and Padma Purana.
• Brahm Kamaraj (1498 AD): Completed Jayakumara Purana.
• Nemidatta (c. 518 AD): Wrote Neminatha Purana, detailing the life of Lord Neminatha.
• Bhattaraka Shubhachandra (16th century): A learned scholar, he authored Padmanarayana and Pandava Purana.
• Bhattaraka Dharmakirti (17th century): Completed Padma Purana in 1612 AD.
• Bhattaraka Vadibhusana and Bhattaraka Shribhusana (disciple of Vidyabhushana) also composed Puranas like Pandava Purana and Shantinatha Purana.
• Bhattaraka Chandrakirti (17th century): Composed Adinatha Purana and other Puranas.
• Bhattaraka Somsena of Virat Nagar composed the Padma Purana (also called Rama Purana).
• Brahm Krishnadas is noted as the last scholar to write Puranas in Sanskrit, with Vimala Purana and Munisuvrata Purana in 1617 and 1624 respectively.

Spiritual Literature (Adhyatma Sahitya): Jain acharyas also extensively wrote spiritual literature dealing with self-reflection, contemplation, meditation, and anupreksha (contemplations). This literature, which explains the reality of the world, is very popular within the Jain community.

• Guna-bhadra: Was an early acharya who emphasized spiritual life through works like Atmanushasana, which provides detailed insights into the soul, its actions, and the body.
• Amritchandra (10th century): A profound scholar and practitioner of spirituality, he wrote commentaries on Kundakunda's Samaysara.
• Muni Sundara Suri: His Adhyatmkalpadruma is a significant work on spirituality.
• Yashovijaya Suri: Authored Adhyatmasara.
• Pandit Ashadhara: His Adhyatmarahasya was recently discovered.
• Pandit Rajmall (early 17th century): Composed Adhyatmkalpadruma.
• Somadeva and Upadhyaya Yashovijaya also contributed to spiritual literature.

The document concludes by stating that in addition to these genres, Jain acharyas enriched Sanskrit literature with hundreds of works in narrative literature, subhashita (wise sayings) and nitisastra (ethics), astrology, Ayurveda, prosody, lexicography, and ritual literature, marking an indelible contribution to the history of Sanskrit literature.