Dravya Gun Paryayno Ras Dravyanuyog Paramarsh Part 01

Author(s): Yashovijay
Publisher: Shreyaskar Andheri Gujarati Jain Sangh

Page 11

PREFACE
Jainism has bestowed three invaluable gifts upon mankind: (A) The concept of Non-violence, (B) The theory of Karma, (C) The concept of 'Anekantvad'.
Today, the world is outraged by anarchy, threatened by nuclear weapons, oppressed by mutual enemity and is running after materialistic pleasures. In order to establish peace, mutual understanding & humanity towards each other the principals mentioned above are the ultimate alternatives.
Among these "Anekantvad" is the most significant. The significance of "Anekantvad" lies in the flexible and impartial evaluation of any object, any thought or any person from various angles. 'Dravya-Guna-Paryayano-Rasa' is the unique work which lucidly exposes the various aspects & evaluations of "Anekantvad".
A Glimpse of 'Dravya-Guna-Paryayano Rasa'
About 350 years ago, the text was originally composed by the reverend Mahopadhyaya Sri Yasovijayji in old Gujarati language.
The text deals with Dravyanuyoga (logical study of ultimate substances) and includes matter accepted by both sects of Jainism (the Swetambara & the Digambara) with a logical explanation on the subject, creative presentation, credible foundation & occasionally brief criticism too. The work is mainly an exposition of the path to salvation through the assistance of 'Agam' = Jain scriptures, 'Tarka' = hypothetical thinking, 'Naya' judgement from specific standpoint, 'Nikshepa' = linguistic analysis of a word & 'Pramana' =
=
means of knowledge.
The characteristics & diversities of Dravya [= substance], Guna [= characteristics] & Paryaya [= state of substance], accepted by both sects of Jainism are extensively expressed and it offers the thought and the process that honours different 'Nayas' (= viewpoints), as well as reviews & investigates the opinion of Digambara monk named Devasena.
The original text is divided in 17 chapters, consisting a total of 284 verses. Reverend Mahopadhyayji himself has composed a brief commentary upon it called 'Tabo' [= stabaka] in old Gujarati language, which explains the meaning & gist of each verse. Reverend Mahopadhyayji has dexterously highlighted the extremely complex subjects related to 'Dravyanuyoga' in a comprehensible manner.
A Glimpse of 'Dravyanuyoga Paramarsa'
A modern text named Dravyanuyoga Paramarsa has been created in Sanskrit