Some Prakrit Works On Non Religious Literature

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Some Prakrit Works on Non-Religious Literature" by Jagdishchandra Jain:

The book, authored by Jagdishchandra Jain and sourced from the "Nirgrantha" series, explores the significant contributions of Jain scholars to non-religious or secular literature in Prakrit and related languages. It argues that while Jains are renowned for their religious writings, they also actively engaged with and composed works on practical and worldly matters, often adapting to local customs to make their teachings more accessible and appealing.

The author begins by noting that Jains, like other communities, had to acknowledge and incorporate popular customs and festivals, even those associated with deities other than their own, for the sake of social integration and the effectiveness of their sermons. This pragmatic approach extended to their literary output.

The core of the book lies in its detailed enumeration and discussion of various secular Prakrit works composed by Jain authors. These works covered a wide spectrum of knowledge crucial for the well-being and functioning of society, including:

• Jyotisha (Astrology) and Related Sciences:

  • Agghakanda (Arghakanda): Discussed as a term related to Jyotisha and commerce, concerning pricing and market fluctuations. Works by Jineśvara sūri, Hemaprabha sūri, and Durgadeva are mentioned.
  • Āyajñāna-tilaka: An astronomical work by Vosaribhatta, dealing with obtaining answers through symbols.
  • Paśa-kevali / Pāśaka-vidyā: The art of foretelling events by casting dice, attributed to Garga and others.
  • Ramala: The art of fortune-telling by casting dice, of Arabic origin, which the Jains adopted and wrote extensively upon, with Ācārya Kālaka credited with bringing it from "Yavana(deśa)".
  • Tājika-vidyā: Indicating Persian and Muslim influence, this art gained popularity in later centuries, with many works preserved in manuscript form. Ācārya Kālaka is again mentioned for studying "Yāvanika-śāstra" in Khurāsān.
  • Nimitta-pähuda / Nimitta-śāstra: Works dealing with omens and portents, including those related to constellations, eclipses, rainbows, and illusory phenomena. Rsiputra, son of Ācārya Garga, is mentioned as an author.
  • Meghamalā: Focused on predicting future events based on celestial movements and rain patterns.
  • Panha-vägarana (Praśna-vyākarana): The science of questions and answers, often involving predictions through various mediums.
  • Śakuna-jñāna / Sakuna-vidyā: The knowledge of birds and omens, considered highly important for predicting good fortune. This includes interpretations of bird calls (Sakuna-ruta-jnana) and broader augury.

• Knowledge of Animals and Their Care:

  • Assasattha (Aśvaśāstra): The science of horses, crucial for warfare and transportation. The text references authorities like Salihotra and discusses various horse breeds mentioned in Jain literature, such as Vāhlīka, Turuska, and Kamboja.
  • Hatthi-sikkha: The art of training elephants, with Durlabharāja's "Hasti-parikşü" mentioned.
  • Mrga-paksi-sastra: The knowledge of animals and birds, covering their characteristics, habits, and significance. Varāhamihira's work and Hamhsadeva's treatise are noted.

• Arts and Sciences:

  • Angavijja (Angavidya): A work related to interpreting bodily signs, based on instructions from Nārada. It is also known as Yogavidhi.
  • Arthaśāstra (Atthasattha): The science of economics and politics, famously associated with Kautilya. It is recognized as a popular scripture in Jain texts like the Nandi-Sūtra and is cited in works like the Vasudevahindi and Tarangalola. The influence of Arthaśāstra on Jain political thought is evident in works like Somadeva sūri's Nītivākyāmta and Hemacandra's Laghu-Arhanniti.
  • Dhatu-vidya: Alchemy, considered one of the 64 kalas (arts). Udyotana sūri provides details, and the art was practiced in secluded areas. It's also known as Narendra-kalä.
  • Gandharva-veda: The art and science of music, with references to paying homage to musical deities during training and the lost Svara-präblirta.
  • Gandha-sastra: The preparation of fragrant substances, with mentions in Budhasvamin's Brhatkatha-sloka-sangraha and Nemicandra's Tarangalola.
  • Caura-karma / Cora-vidyā: The art of stealing, recognized as a formal art with attributed authors.
  • Dhurta-vidyā: The art of knavery or deception, with Müladeva mentioned as an expert.
  • Vaisika-śāstra: The art of courtesans or harlotry, detailed in the Kāmaśāstra, and said to make one skilled in various arts and capable of captivating hearts.

• Other Practical Knowledge:

  • Joni-pähuda / Yoni-prabhṛta: An important work accepted by both Digambara and Svetambara sects, potentially predating their division. It's considered highly authoritative, with a tradition stating its accuracy is unwavering. It's linked to Ācārya Dharasena and has magical applications.
  • Mayaṇa-mauda (Madana-mukuța): A Prakrit work by Gosai Vipra.
  • Poragama: The art of cooking, mentioned in the Vasudevahindi and associated with the science of medicine. King Nala's expertise in this art is highlighted.
  • Vṛkṣāyurveda: The science of planting and cultivating trees, flowers, and fruits, mentioned in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra and other classical texts. It includes rules for planting and cultivation.
  • Vivāha-padala (Vivāha-patala): Works dealing with marriage, popular in ancient India, with Jain and non-Jain authors. The Niśitha-cūrni mentions a work without an author, while Abhayakusala is noted as another author.

• Divination and Prognostication:

  • Pāśa-kevali / Pāšaka-kevali: Art of foretelling events by casting dice, also related to specific astronomical constellations.
  • Pañca-paksin / Panca-paksi-parijñāna: Divination based on the association of five vowels with five birds, predicting future events. Various works on this topic are listed.
  • Chāyā dāra: Interpretation of events by observing shade.
  • Chirka-vicara: Prediction of events through sneezing.
  • Garuda-sattha (Garuda-śāstra): Deals with the cure of snake poison.
  • Jaya-pähuda: Science of prognostication.
  • Nadi-dāra / Nādi-viyara: Interpretation of events based on the movement of arteries.
  • Pipiliya-nana (Pipilika-jñāna): Prediction of omens from the movement of ants.
  • Praņasta-lābha: Predicts profit, loss, life, and death.
  • Śakuna-jñāna / Sakuna-vidyā: Knowledge of birds and omens, also referred to as augury. This was crucial in the absence of scientific knowledge.

The book concludes by emphasizing the breadth and depth of secular knowledge preserved and developed within Jain tradition, often through Prakrit literature, and highlights that many of these valuable works still exist in manuscript form in Jain Bhandaras, waiting to be further explored. The author's work is partly based on his "Secular Literature" chapter from a forthcoming book on the history and development of Prakrit literature.