Vruttaratnakar - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vruttaratnakar" based on the provided information, covering its key aspects:

Book Title: Vruttaratnakar (वृत्तरत्नाकरः)

Author: Bhatta Kedara (भट्टकेदार)

Publisher: Jai Krishna Das Hari Das Gupta (जयकृष्णदास-हरिदास गुप्तः)

Publisher's Location: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Vidya Vilas Press, North of Gopal Mandir, Benares City (चौखम्बा संस्कृत सीरीज आफिस, विद्याविलास प्रेस-गोपालमंदिर के उत्तर फाटक, बनारस सिटी।)

Publication Year: 1984 (१९८४) - Note: Page 2 shows the English publication year as 1927, indicating this might be a reprint or a different edition.

Key Features of the Published Edition:

Commentary: Includes a commentary by Bhatta Narayana Bhatta (भट्टनारायणभट्टीयव्याख्यासहितः).
Editorial Notes: Edited with detailed notes on difficult passages by the editor (सम्पादकनिर्मितविषमस्थलटिप्पणोपेतः).
Included Texts: Accompanied by "Shrutabodha" (श्रुतबोधः), "Chhandomanjari" (छन्दोमञ्जरी), and "Suvrtta Tilaka" (सुवृत्ततिलकम्).
Editor: Compiled and edited by Vaidyanatha Shastri Varakale (वैद्यनाथशास्त्रिणा वरकलोपाख्य), a Sadholal Research Scholar from the Sanskrit College, Benares, who also contributed an introduction and other sections (भूमिकादिभिः सम्भूष्य सुसम्पादितः).
Rights: All rights reserved by the publisher as per government regulations (राजशासनानुरोधेन सर्वधिकाराः प्रकाशकेन स्वायत्तीकृताः).

Content and Structure:

The Vruttaratnakar is a foundational text on Chhanda Shastra (Prosody/Metre). The published edition appears to be a comprehensive compilation. Based on the detailed table of contents (Page 6 and following pages), the book covers:

Introduction (Bhumika): A detailed preface discussing the importance of poetry, the Vedas, Vedic and secular metres, and the lineage of prosody masters, highlighting Pingala Muni as a primary authority. It also introduces the Vruttaratnakar itself and its significance.
Vruttaratnakar (Original Text): The main work by Bhatta Kedara, likely structured into six chapters.
Commentary (Vruttaratnakara Tikā): The extensive commentary by Bhatta Narayana Bhatta.
Shrutabodha: A text on prosody, attributed to Kalidasa (Page 11).
Chhandomanjari: Another significant text on prosody, attributed to Gangadasa (Page 11).
Suvrtta Tilaka: A work by Kshemendra, known for its detailed classification of metres and their aesthetic application (Page 11).
Indexes and Lists: The book includes several valuable indexes for ease of reference:
- Subject matter index for the Vruttaratnakar with commentary and notes.
- List of verses cited as proof texts in the Vruttaratnakar and its commentary.
- Alphabetical index of verses used in the commentary.
- Alphabetical index of metres discussed in the Vruttaratnakar.
- Index of books and authors cited in the Vruttaratnakar commentary.
- Alphabetical index of verses used in the Vruttaratnakar notes.

Key Themes and Topics (from the Table of Contents):

The Vruttaratnakar, as presented in this edition, systematically covers the vast field of Sanskrit prosody:

Fundamentals: Explanations of ganas (syllable combinations), their deities, temporal values (laghu/guru), their classification and arrangement.
Metre Classification: Detailed descriptions of various metres, categorized as:
- Samavrtta (Even Metres): Where all four pādas (quarters) are of the same form (e.g., Indravajra, Upendravajra, Vasantatilaka, Shardula Vikridita, Mandakranta, etc.).
- Ardhasamavrtta (Half-Even Metres): Where the first and third pādas are alike, and the second and fourth pādas are alike but different from the first and third (e.g., Arya, its variations like Giti, Upagiti, Udgiti, Arya-giti).
- Vishama Vrtta (Uneven Metres): Where all four pādas have different forms (e.g., Padachaturasra, Pida, Kalika, Lavali, Amritadhara).
Dandakas: Extended metrical lines formed by repeating specific combinations.
Prosodic Principles: Discussions on Yati (caesura), Prastar (permutation), Nashta (finding the position of a given metre), Uddishta (finding the metre from a given position), Laghu-kriya (calculation of metrical feet), Sankhyana (enumeration), and Adhva-yoga (path calculation).
Vernacular Metres: While the primary focus is Sanskrit, the inclusion of texts like "Suvrtta Tilaka" suggests a consideration of aesthetic principles and potentially broader applications of metrical science.

Authors and Contributors:

Bhatta Kedara (Original Author): Known for creating the Vruttaratnakar, aiming to provide a comprehensive yet accessible guide to metres, covering both "lakshya" (examples) and "lakshana" (definitions) of metres. The introduction mentions he was a scholar proficient in Vedic and Shaiva Shastras.
Bhatta Narayana Bhatta (Commentator): A highly respected scholar, identified as a native of Kashi, a great ascetic, author of many works, holder of the "Jagadguru" title, founder of Kashi Vishweshwar, and an ancestor of prominent scholars like Kamalakara Bhatta and Nilakantha Bhatta. He was from the Maharashtra Brahmin community.
Vaidyanatha Shastri Varakale (Editor): A Sadholal Research Scholar at the Sanskrit College, Benares, responsible for the extensive editing, introduction, and notes.
Kalidasa (Author of Shrutabodha): The identity of this Kalidasa (whether it's the famous playwright) is discussed in the introduction.
Gangadasa (Author of Chhandomanjari): Son of Vaidya Gopaladasa and Santosha.
Kshemendra (Author of Suvrtta Tilaka): A famous poet from Kashmir.

Significance:

The Vruttaratnakar is a significant work in Sanskrit prosody, widely studied and respected. Its inclusion of numerous metres, clear definitions, illustrative examples, and the comprehensive commentary make it an invaluable resource for understanding Sanskrit poetry and metrical science. The inclusion of other major prosody texts like Shrutabodha, Chhandomanjari, and Suvrtta Tilaka in this edition further enhances its value as a collector's item for scholars and students of Sanskrit literature. The text's meticulous approach to defining and classifying metres reflects the sophisticated analytical tradition in ancient Indian literary studies.