Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya Sswopagnya Tikanu Astitva

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, focusing on the discovery and nature of the Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya Swopagnya Tika:

The article, "The Existence of the Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya Swopagnya Tika," authored by Punyavijay, discusses a significant discovery within Jain literature concerning a commentary on the Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya.

Key Points:

• Previous Belief: For a long time, it was believed that the Swopagnya Tika (self-commentary) on the Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya, composed by Bhagwan Shri Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman, was lost.
• Discovery: Through investigation, it has been confirmed that this commentary does exist, and the author expresses gratitude for being able to see it.
• Incomplete Nature: Bhagwan Shri Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman passed away while composing this commentary. He had only managed to complete it up to the discourse of the sixth Ganadhara (a disciple of Mahavir).
• Completion by Another Acharya: Fortunately, this incomplete commentary was completed by Acharya Shri Kottaryavadi Gani Mahattar.
• Absence of Inaugural/Concluding Remarks: Because Bhagwan Shri Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman passed away unexpectedly during its composition, the original commentary lacks any introductory salutations (mangalacharan), invocations, or concluding passages (pushpika, prashasti).
• Evidence from the Completing Acharya: The identity of Bhagwan Shri Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman as the original author of the commentary, and the fact that it was incomplete, is confirmed from the introductory sections of the commentary completed by Shri Kottaryavadi Gani Mahattar. These sections explicitly mention that the esteemed Acharya Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman passed away after completing the discourse of the sixth Ganadhara and that he (Kottaryavadi Gani) is undertaking the task of further commentary.
• Structure of the Commentary: The commentary by Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman is described as having a concise style. His portion of the commentary is estimated to be around 4,500 verses. The subsequent portion completed by Acharya Shri Kottaryavadi Gani Mahattar is more expansive, estimated at around 5,750 verses. The total estimated length of the complete commentary is around 10,250 verses, exceeding ten thousand.
• Distinction Between Kottaryavadi Gani and Kotacharya: The article strongly argues that the Acharya Kottaryavadi Gani, who completed the Swopagnya Tika, and the author of the printed commentary known as Kotacharya are two different individuals. This is supported by several reasons:
  • Differences in Names and Titles: Kottaryavadi Gani uses his full name and the title "Vadigani Mahattar," whereas the printed commentary (Kotacharya's) has a very brief, unadorned colophon.
  • Absence of References: Many references to other commentaries (like Tika, Churni, Niryukti, etc.) found in the printed Kotacharya commentary are absent in the Kottaryavadi Gani commentary.
  • Disagreements with Other Views: Certain critical analyses and refutations of other scholars' views found in Kotacharya's commentary are not present in the Kottaryavadi Gani commentary.
• Nature of Kotacharya's Commentary: The printed Kotacharya commentary is larger in verse count (estimated at 13,700 verses) compared to the Kottaryavadi Gani commentary. However, from a philosophical and analytical perspective, the Kshamashraman-Mahattariya Tika (referring to the work of Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman as completed by Kottaryavadi Gani) is considered superior and more significant. Kotacharya's commentary appears to have been composed with the Kshamashraman-Mahattariya Tika as a reference point, often being more concise and not introducing substantially new material or citations.
• Future Publication: The article concludes with the good news that efforts are being made by the "Shri Jinagama Prakashini Sansad" to bring the Kshamashraman-Mahattariya Tika to light.

In essence, the article announces the rediscovery and detailed analysis of an important, though originally incomplete, commentary by Bhagwan Shri Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashraman on the Visheshavashyaka Mahabhashya, highlighting its completion by Acharya Shri Kottaryavadi Gani Mahattar and clarifying distinctions between different commentaries attributed to Acharyas with similar names.