Syadwad Manjari

The text you provided is the Syadvada Manjari, a commentary on the Anyayoga Vyavachchhedika by Acharya Hemachandra, with the commentary written by Mallisena Suri. The edition you have shared seems to be a later publication, edited and annotated by Motilal Ladhaji.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages, focusing on the introductory and textual content:

I. Introduction and Publisher's Notes (Pages 1-2):

• Title and Authorship: The book is titled Syadvada Manjari, authored by Mallisena Suri, and is a commentary on Acharya Hemachandra's Anyayoga Vyavachchhedika.
• Edition: This specific edition is revised and enriched with annotations and an introduction by Motilal Ladhaji, son of Shresti Ladhaji, from the Oswal Vania community of Punyapattana.
• Publication Details: Published in Veer Samvat 2452. The entire rights are reserved by the publisher. It was printed at the Jain Printing Works by Shantilal Bhagwanji in Punyapattana.

II. Introduction by Motilal Ladhaji (Pages 3-10):

• Purpose of "Arhatmataprabhakar": Motilal Ladhaji introduces his institution, "Arhatmataprabhakar," established to address the scarcity and lack of clarity in published Jain Sanskrit and Prakrit texts. The aim is to make these ancient scriptures accessible to students and scholars.
• Publication Principles: The institution follows specific principles for publishing texts:
  1. A standard book format (Demi Octavo).
  2. Inclusion of explanatory notes at the bottom of each page.
  3. Citations of all quoted passages with references to texts and authors in the notes.
  4. Collection and inclusion of variant readings from ancient manuscripts whenever possible.
  5. A detailed introduction (Upo'd'haata) in Sanskrit, covering internal and external analysis of the text, the author's biography, historical context, and relevant philosophical references.
  6. Efforts to keep the prices affordable, regardless of the cost of production.
• Previously Published Works: The institution has already published:
  1. Pramana Mimamsa (First "Mayukha")
  2. Sabhashya Tattvartha Sutras
  3. Syadvada Manjari (Third "Mayukha")
  4. Aupapatika Sutras
• Planned Publications: The planned publications include Dharma Sangrahani, Syadvada Ratnakara, Haima Vyakarana, Chanda Anushasana, and Sutra Krutanga.
• Praise for Acharya Hemachandra: Motilal Ladhaji extols Acharya Hemachandra as the "Kalikala Sarvajna" (Omniscient of the Kali Yuga) and praises the clarity and accessibility of his complex philosophical expositions, often incorporating subtle humor without being offensive.
• Praise for Mallisena Suri: He highlights the Syadvada Manjari as a unique commentary, composed about two centuries after the original Anyayoga Vyavachchhedika. Mallisena Suri's work is lauded for its profound scholarship, ability to refute various philosophical schools, and its empathetic presentation of opposing viewpoints.
• Biographical Details of Mallisena Suri: The text provides biographical details of Mallisena Suri, stating he was a disciple of Shri Udayaprabha Suri of the Nagendra Gachchha and that the commentary was completed in Shaka Samvat 1214 during Diwali on a Saturday. It also mentions the assistance of Shri Jinaprabha Suri. A lineage of the Nagendra Gachchha is provided.
• Details of Jinaprabha Suri: Jinaprabha Suri completed his commentary on Shanti Stava in Vikrama Samvat 1365 (Shaka Samvat 1230), confirming the contemporaneity of Mallisena Suri and Jinaprabha Suri.
• Scope of Commentary: The commentary is extensive, around 3000 verses. Mallisena Suri cites various ancient scholars and texts to support his arguments.
• Structure of the Edition: This edition includes:
  • An introduction to Anyayoga Vyavachchhedika.
  • Detailed explanations of the philosophical schools criticized in Syadvada Manjari, with references.
  • Footnotes (Tippanis) clarifying the meaning, explaining philosophical concepts, and providing scriptural references.
  • References to Achara'nga and other texts, as well as technical terms.
  • Key phrases and author names from other texts are highlighted in bold.
  • Nine appendices listing: Preceding arguments (Purvapakshas), available verses, unavailable verses, works mentioned in Syadvada Manjari, authors mentioned, logics (Nyayas), and texts used in footnotes.
• Acknowledgments: Motilal Ladhaji expresses gratitude to Pt. Shridhar Shastri for his invaluable assistance in the introductory sections and to Shantilal Bhagwanji for the printing. He solicits feedback from readers to improve future editions.

III. Textual Content (Pages 11 onwards - Appendices):

The bulk of the later pages are dedicated to appendices that detail the Purvapaksha (preceding arguments or opposing views) discussed and refuted in the Syadvada Manjari. These appendices meticulously present the philosophical positions of various schools, primarily referencing their foundational texts:

• Vaishēshika School: Discusses concepts like samanya (generality) and vishesha (particularity), the nature of tama (darkness), and ākāśa (ether), citing Vaishēshika Sutra, Bhāshya, and Upaskāra.
• Patañjala Yoga: Critiques the concept of transformation (parinama) in elements and senses, citing Patañjala Yoga Sutra and Bhāshya.
• Samavaya (Inherence): Explains the Vaishēshika concept of samavaya as a relation between inseparable substances and its refutation.
• Ishvara (God) and Creation: Discusses the Nyaya and Vaishēshika arguments for God as the creator, citing Kanada Sutras, Upaskara, and Gautama Sutra with Vātsyāyana Bhāshya.
• Satta (Existence): Explores the Vaishēshika concept of existence, citing Kanada Sutras and Prashastapada Bhāshya.
• Moksha (Liberation): Discusses the Vaishēshika view of liberation as the cessation of suffering, citing Vaishēshika Sutra Upaskara.
• Atman (Self): Examines the concept of the Atman and its omnipresence, citing Gautama Sutras, Vātsyāyana Bhāshya, and Prashastapada Bhāshya.
• Chala (Sophistry) and Jati (Theses/Fallacies): Refers to Nyaya Sutras concerning debate tactics.
• Mimamsa School: Discusses Vedic injunctions, particularly concerning violence in rituals, citing Mimamsa Shloka Vartika.
• Buddhism: Addresses various Buddhist theories, including the denial of inherent reality (sunyata), the nature of vasana (tendencies/impressions), and the Buddhist view of causality and impermanence. Texts like Nyaya Bindu by Dharmakirti and Bodhi Charyavatara are cited.
• Sankhya: Mentions the refutation of Sankhya's Prakriti and Purusha doctrine, referencing Ishvara Krishna Karika.
• Charvaka (Materialism): Notes the refutation of Charvaka's materialistic views, acknowledging that while their texts are scarce, their widely known doctrines are addressed.

IV. Syadvada Manjari's Core Argument:

While the appendices detail the Purvapakshas, the core of the Syadvada Manjari (as indicated by the introductory verses and the referenced Anyayoga Vyavachchhedika) is the defense and exposition of Syadvada – the Jain doctrine of conditional predication or the "perhaps" approach to reality. It argues that reality is multifaceted and can be described from multiple perspectives (nayas) without contradiction. The commentary likely refutes extremist, one-sided views (ekanta vāda) presented by other philosophical schools, demonstrating how the Syadvada framework provides a comprehensive and non-contradictory understanding of the world.

In essence, the Syadvada Manjari, as presented in this edition, is a scholarly endeavor to revive and make accessible crucial Jain philosophical texts, demonstrating the author's deep understanding of not only Jain philosophy but also the intricate doctrines of numerous other Indian philosophical schools.