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________________ HARIBHADRASURI'S VIMSATIVIMSIKA: AN APPROACH 129 According to this definition, a work which aims at expounding some (important) tenet relating to a system of thought is called a prakaranagrantha. The two phrases in the first half of the above stanza amount to the same thing'Related to or dealing with a portion or section or part (ekadesa) of a sastra and 'based on one of the central topics in 'sastra' mean one and the same thing. In other words, this definition is not comprehensive, it applies to a book dealing with a portion or section or part of sastra. K. V. Abhyankar explains the term as "A work in which the treatment (of a sastra) is given in the form of topics, by arranging the original sutras or rules differently so that all the rules relating to a particular topic are found together", and cites Prakrlyakaumudi and Siddhanta-kaumudi as examples. This definition too is not applicable to the text in hand, strictly speaking. For there is no question of "arranging the sutras or rules differently" unless we enlarge the scope of the meaning of sutras to cover teachings set forth in source books and authoritative texts and commentaries on them. The name prakaranagrantha was most probably used to distinguish a work from the akaragrantha (Seminal Work or Source book). A prakaranagrantha is a systematically and topic-wise arranged samgraha-compendiumof the scattered and discursive teachings of its corresponding seminal or source work or works. In this sense, Arthasamgraha, Tarkasamgraha, Siddhantabindu based on Purva-Mimamsa, Nyaya-sutras and Vaisesikasutras and samkara Vedanta respectively are prakarana-granthas. In this sense, the Vimsati-Vimsika too is a prakarana-grantha based on sacred and authoritative Jain sutras, Niryukti, Bhasya and such other commentaries on them. Its Language The language of this text is Prakrit, to be more specific, Jain Maharastri--which is employed by all Svetambara writers in their Prakrit (prose and) verse and does not much differ from classical Maharastri. Its Structure and Style : The Vimsati-Vimsika obviously intends to supply a compendium of the principal teachings of Jainism in Twenty Sets of Twenties. In a sense these sets are quite independent of one another as each set deals with one topic only and is a complete unit by itself. But from another point of view, these sets may be looked upon as closely connected with each other as each preceding set anticipates the succeeding one. His self-imposed condition of completing one topic in 20 gathas only proves a handicap to him. Some of the gathas are too elliptical. The author combines brevity with accuracy all right but not with lucidity. Brevity is the soul of wit, no doubt, but brevity at the cost of intelligibility is not commendable. Occasionally, Haribhadrasuri errs too much Stud.-17 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 001868 |
| Book Title | Studies in Jain Literature |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | V M Kulkarni |
| Publisher | Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre |
| Publication Year | 2001 |
| Total Pages | 114 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Literature, & Story |
| File Size | 14 MB |