Kartikeyanupreksha

SR No.: 090248
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumar Swami
Publisher: Paramshrut Prabhavak Mandal
Total Pages: 589
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Religion
File Size: 19 MB

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BĀRSTUKES INTPREK, A
1799, 1802-3, 1814, 1815, 1821, 1828, 1837, 1853, 1851, 1857 and 1869), Some of the verses of Sivärya have somewhat similarity with a few gathas in the Maranasamahi (cf. Bha. 1776, 1822, 1837 and 1870 with Mara, 598, 618, 621 and 634). These three texts, along with the section on Bhāvanas in the Maranasamahi have formed the basic capital on which have grown the subsequent thoughts about Anuprekṣās.
The Jñänarnava (or Yogapradipadhikāra) of Subhacandra' is a solid and significant treatise on Yoga or meditation, written in fluent Sanskrit and full of didactic fervour. Very little is known about its author, Subhacandra, who must have been a great Yogin and an outstanding poet. He is later than Samantabhadra, Devanaudi, Akalanka and Jinasena (A. D. 837), and even possibly Somadeva, the author of the Yasastilaka, but perhaps earlier than Hemasandra (e. A. D. 1172). All that can be definitely said is that he flourished between A. D. 837 and 1227 (this being the date of a Ms, of the Jäänärnava). The spirit of religious and didactic poetry seen in the Satakas of Bhartṛhari and in the subhasitas of Amitagati and others is obviously patent in the composition of Subhacandra who betrays a good deal of influence of Bhartṛhari and possibly, therefore, is made by a legend, a brother of the latter.
The Jñanarnava being an authoritative work on Dhyana, it is but natural that an exposition of twelve anupreksas should find a place in it. But what positively strikes one is that Sabhacandra prefaces his treatise with a disquisition on Anupreksas, which, called Bhavanās here, lead to the cleansing of heart and steadiness of mind: they are the beautiful steps leading to the terrace of liberation (II. 5-7). In all some 188 verses (II. 5 onwards), mostly anustubh but longer metres here and there, are devoted to these topics of reflection. Subhacandra has a mastery over Sanskrit expression; and he handles longer metres with remarkable ease and felicity. His slokas have a dignified flow suited to the seriousness of the subject-matter. The exposition throughout is of a thoughtful poet who steers safe between the temptations of the conceits of expression and complications of dogmatical details. It is primarily the ascetic that is addressed. Similes from earlier sources are found here and there; but the tendency of mechanical reproduction is conspicuously absent. Subhacandra is well-read but predominantly an original writer. Ideas may be inherited or borrowed, but he expresses them in his own way. The five-fold Saràsära is referred to by him; in the asucitva-bhavand he devotes more attention to bodily impurity; along with a diaquistion on
1) Ed. Rayaandra Jaina Sastramala, Bombay 1927.