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13 - (Kha) The Qualifications of Umaswati
If the earlier Jain Acharyas had not developed the capacity to write in Sanskrit and had not begun the process of writing, it is questionable whether Umaswati could have successfully compiled the traditionally entrenched communal ideas in Prakrit into such a delightful Sanskrit style or not. Nevertheless, the history of the available comprehensive Jain literature indicates that Umaswati is indeed the first Sanskrit writer among Jain Acharyas. The pleasing, concise, and pure style of his texts is a testament to his mastery of the Sanskrit language. In the Tattvārthādhigama-sūtra, the concise collection he has made related to well-known concepts in Jain Agama such as knowledge, the knowable, conduct, geography, astronomy, etc., is proof of his lineage as a 'vāchaka' (one who speaks) and the authenticity of the vāchaka position.
The initial verses of his Tattvārthabhāṣya and his other poetic compositions clearly indicate that he was a polished writer in both prose and poetry. A close examination of his aphorisms reveals not only his comprehensive study of Jain Agama but also an engagement with philosophical literature such as Vaiśeṣika, Nyāya, Yoga, and Buddhism. The grammatical sutras cited in Tattvārthabhāṣya (1.5, 2.15) indicate his study of Pāṇini's grammar.
Although he is renowned in the Śvētāmbara tradition as the author of five hundred texts and some of his works are indeed well-known today, there is still no satisfactory position to say anything conclusive on this subject. In such a situation, the language and conceptual framework of the 'Praśamarati' are primarily known in the context of mere atomic particles and the aggregates formed from them. The definition of Buddhist philosophy primarily refers to life, and keeping this distinction in mind, the speaker has employed the term 'tantrāntarīya' here.
1. Jamudvīpasamāsaprakaraṇa, Pūjāprakaraṇa, Śrāvakaprajñapti, Kṣetravicāra, Praśamarati. Siddhasena mentions in his commentary (p. 78, line 2) a text titled 'śaucaprakaraṇa,' which is currently not available.
2. The commentator Siddhasena refers to 'Praśamarati' as the work of the commentary author. As stated - 'Yataḥ praśamaratau (kā. 208) anenaivoktam paramāṇurapradeśo varṇādiguṇeṣu bhajaniya.' 'Vāchakenatveta devabalasañjñayā praśamaratau (kā. 80) upāttam' - commentary on 5.6 and 9.6.