Swayambhuchand

The book "Svayambhūchanda" authored by H. D. Velankar and published by Rajasthan Prachyavidya Pratishtan, Jodhpur, is a significant scholarly work that presents the metrical treatise "Svayambhūchanda" by the great poet Svayambhu. This publication is part of the "Rajasthan Puratana Granthamala" series, aiming to bring to light ancient Indian literary works, with a special focus on those relevant to Rajasthan.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the book's content and significance based on the provided text:

1. Nature and Significance of Svayambhūchanda:

• Pioneering Work in Prosody: The "Svayambhūchanda" is described as an important manual of Prakrit and Apabhramśa metres. It predates Hemacandra's renowned "Chandonuśāsana" by about 250 years and served as a foundational source for it. Hemacandra's arrangement, classification, and illustrations of metres owe a significant debt to Svayambhu.
• Authoritative Voice of a Poet: Unlike mere theoreticians, Svayambhu was a distinguished poet ("Kavirāja") with several epic poems to his credit, notably "Paumacariu," which is considered a high point of Apabhramśa poetry. His metrical treatise thus carries the authority of a practicing artist.
• Rich Source of Literary History: A unique aspect of "Svayambhūchanda" is that Svayambhu drew upon over eighty earlier or contemporary Prakrit and Apabhramśa authors to illustrate his metrical definitions. This makes the work an invaluable resource for identifying numerous previously unknown authors and understanding the rich literary tradition of Prakrit and Apabhramśa literature over centuries.
• Clarification of Obscure Points: The text clarifies several obscure points found in Hemacandra's work and sheds light on the function of various classes of mātrā-metres.
• Unique Focus on Apabhramśa Genres: It provides a clearer picture of the form and structure of "Sandhibandha" and "Rāsābandha," two of the most characteristic genres of Apabhramśa literature.

2. Manuscripts and Editorial Work:

• Rescue from Oblivion: The credit for bringing this valuable work to light goes to Professor H. D. Velankar, a renowned scholar of classical Indian metres.
• Two Key Manuscripts: The current edition is based on two manuscripts:
  • Baroda Manuscript: An earlier edition by Velankar was based on a single, then-known, paper manuscript from the Oriental Institute, Baroda. This manuscript was fragmentary, particularly towards the beginning.
  • Tibet Manuscript Fragment: Fortunately, during the printing of the Rajasthan Puratana Granthamala edition, Velankar received a palm-leaf fragment from a Tibetan monastery, discovered by Pandit Rahula Sankrityayana. This fragment, written in Old Bengali script, supplied missing portions of the earlier part of the work and its concluding part, which were not present in the Baroda manuscript. The findspot and script of this manuscript are significant for understanding the spread and authority of Svayambhu's work.
• Editorial Rigor: Professor Velankar's edition is characterized by its thoroughness, including a critical introduction, translations, informative and comparative notes, and several indices and appendices.

3. Content of Svayambhūchanda:

The work is structured into chapters, likely focusing on different categories of metres. Based on the introduction and table of contents:

• Structure and Amśas: Svayambhu alludes to five technical terms for "Amśas" or metrical units based on the number of mātrās (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6), using specific designations like "da," "ta," "ca," "pa," and "cha" as symbols.
• Prakrit Metres (Purvabhāga):
  • Chapter 1 (Gāthādhi-vidhi): Deals with "Skandhaka-jāti," focusing on the Skandhaka as the basic metre from which Gāthā, Gīti, Upagīti, and Udgīti are derived.
  • Chapter 2 (Galitakajāti): Defines and illustrates the basic "Galitaka" and related metres.
  • Chapter 3 (Khañjakajāti): Defines and illustrates various "Khañjakas" like Khanda, Dvipadī, etc.
  • Chapter 4 (Śīrṣakajāti): Deals with metres like Śīrşakas, starting with Dvipadī-khaṇḍa.
  • Chapter 5 (Māgadha Jāti): Treats metres belonging to the Māgadha group, starting with "Magadhikā" and deriving the "Vaitālīya" group.
  • Chapter 6 (Uktādhi-vidhi): Focuses on Sanskrit "Varṇa Vṛttas" belonging to the 26 Jātis, beginning with "Ukta" and ending with "Utkṛti," along with Dandakas and "Śeṣajāti Vṛttas."
• Apabhramśa Metres (Uttarabhāga):
  • Chapter 7 (Ardhasama): Discusses 14 "Ardhasama Varņa Vṛttas."
  • Chapter 8 (Vişama): Defines various "Viṣama Vṛttas," alluding to classifications found in Pingala's "Chandassūtra."
  • Chapters 5-8 (Main Text numbering): These chapters broadly divide Apabhramśa metres into Şatpadīs, Catușpadīs, and Dvipadīs, distinguishing between "Dhruvaka" (longer metres) and "Vastuka" (shorter metres).
• Phonetic Peculiarities: Svayambhu notes phonetic peculiarities of Apabhramśa, such as the optional pronunciation of certain nasalised vowels and the flexibility of vowel length before conjuncts.
• Genres of Apabhramśa Poetry: The work discusses "Sandhibandha" and "Rāsābandha," characteristic genres of Apabhramśa literature, with a greater focus on "Sandhibandha" due to Svayambhu's own epics.

4. Relationship with Other Prosodists:

• Influence on Hemacandra: Hemacandra's classification and treatment of metres, including the names of certain metres, show a close following of Svayambhu.
• Influence on Rājasekhara: Rājasekhara's "Chandaḥśekhara," an eleventh-century Sanskrit version of Svayambhūchanda, appears to be a close Sanskrit rendering of corresponding Prakrit stanzas. Rājasekhara also follows Svayambhu's distinction between Dhruvaka and Vastuka.
• Unique Contributions: Svayambhu's treatment of metres is unique in not employing Varna Ganas for definitions, relying solely on Mātrā Ganas. He also indicates how one metre develops from another by addition or substitution of letters or Gaņas, hinting at an understanding of metrical evolution, though not fully enunciating a systematic principle.

5. Publisher and Editors:

• Publisher: Rajasthan Prachyavidya Pratishtan, Jodhpur, established by the Government of Rajasthan.
• General Editor: Padmashree Jinavijaya Muni, Puratattvacharya.
• Editor: Prof. H. D. Velankar, M. A.

In Conclusion:

"Svayambhūchanda" is a vital text for understanding the development of Indian prosody, particularly in the Prakrit and Apabhramśa languages. Professor Velankar's meticulous editing and introduction make this work accessible to scholars, enhancing our appreciation of Svayambhu's poetic genius and his significant contributions to the field of Indian prosody. The publication serves to illuminate a rich literary tradition and preserve an important aspect of India's cultural heritage.Comprehensive Summary of Svayambhūchanda

The book "Svayambhūchanda," edited by Prof. H. D. Velankar and published by the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, Jodhpur, as part of the "Rajasthan Puratana Granthamala," presents the "Svayambhūchanda," a seminal work on prosody by the celebrated Mahakavi (Great Poet) Svayambhu. This treatise is a foundational text for the study of Prakrit and Apabhramśa metres, predating Hemacandra's widely recognized "Chandonuśāsana" by approximately 250 years.

Key Aspects and Significance:

1. Authoritative Source on Metres: Svayambhu, a poet of high repute, brought his practical artistic understanding to this metrical treatise. Unlike mere theorists, his work is imbued with the authority of a seasoned practitioner. The treatise systematically accounts for a vast array of metres used in Prakrit and Apabhramśa literature.

2. Interconnection with Literary History: A remarkable feature of "Svayambhūchanda" is its extensive use of illustrative verses quoted from over eighty Prakrit and Apabhramśa authors. This makes the work an invaluable historical document, shedding light on a rich but often obscure literary tradition and the authors who contributed to it.

3. Unique Methodological Approach: Svayambhu's methodology is distinctive. He defines metres using "Mātrā Gaṇas" (metrical units based on duration) rather than the "Varna Gaṇas" (metrical units based on letters) typically used for Sanskrit metres. This approach highlights his focus on the rhythmic and duration-based structure prevalent in Prakrit and Apabhramśa poetry. He also demonstrates an understanding of metrical evolution by showing how new metres can develop from older ones through the addition or substitution of units.

4. Coverage of Genres: The text provides insights into specific Apabhramśa literary forms like "Sandhibandha" and "Rāsābandha," further enriching our understanding of the period's literary landscape.

5. Editorial Excellence: Professor H. D. Velankar's editorial work is highly commendable. He meticulously rescued this important text from near oblivion, utilizing two key manuscripts – one from Baroda and a crucial fragment from a Tibetan monastery discovered by Pandit Rahula Sankrityayana. His critical introduction, translations, and extensive notes demonstrate profound scholarship and dedication, making the complex subject matter accessible.

Content Overview:

The "Svayambhūchanda" is broadly divided into sections dealing with Prakrit metres and Apabhramśa metres.

• Prakrit Metres (Purvabhāga): The initial chapters likely cover metres derived from the Skandhaka, Galitaka, Khañjaka, Śīrṣaka, Māgadha Jāti, and the Uktādividhi (covering various Sanskrit metres like Ukta, Atyukta, etc., adapted for Prakrit).
• Apabhramśa Metres (Uttarabhāga): Later chapters focus on Apabhramśa metres, including Ardhasamas (Chapter II), Vişamas (Chapter III), and specific categories like Şatpadīs, Catușpadīs, and Dvipadīs (Chapters IV-VIII). Svayambhu also categorizes metres into "Dhruvaka" (longer, often used as recurring refrains) and "Vastuka" (shorter forms).
• Phonetic Peculiarities: The text also touches upon phonetic peculiarities of Apabhramśa that affect prosody.

Significance of the Edition:

The Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute's publication, under the esteemed editorship of Prof. Velankar, is crucial for several reasons:

• It makes available a foundational text in Indian prosody that was previously less accessible.
• It provides scholars with a critical edition based on careful manuscript study.
• It highlights Svayambhu's significant, yet often overshadowed, contributions to metrical science and Prakrit/Apabhramśa literature.
• It serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of Indian metres and the history of literary traditions in ancient India, particularly in regions associated with Apabhramśa literature.

In essence, "Svayambhūchanda" is a scholarly landmark, illuminating the metrical intricacies of Prakrit and Apabhramśa poetry and providing a window into the rich literary heritage of ancient India.