Jain Digest 1998 04

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 23

Abhidhan Rajendra
Preachings of Jain Tirthankars known as "Agams" upon which the Jain religion is based, are compiled in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit language. Needless to say that without fully understanding the "Agams" i.e. the Jain religious texts, one cannot understand the Jain religion, its philosophy, logic, ethics, etc. The agams besides being in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit language are full of technical terms, the true meaning of which cannot be understood with the help of ordinary dictionaries or lexicons.
Though Jain Acharyas had started compiling dictionaries thousand to twelve hundred years ago, the need was always felt for an Encyclopedic Canonical Lexicon which would be perfectly organized with Prakit terms and words arranged alphabetically, giving the etymology and grammatical description of each word, alongwith shades of various meanings and special connotations of Sanskrit equivalents, listing all the allusions and references to the usages illustrated from various ancient writings of Acharyas and expert teachers. Such a lexicon would be helpful in understanding the Jain scriptures more scientifically and facilitate the systematic study of ancient Indian literature, history and philosophy. Following many nineteenth century foreign scholars Indian Pandits were also inspired to study Jain texts in their contemplation and research of Jainology in particular and Indology in general.
At such a time a Nineteenth Century (1827-1906) Jain Acharya Shrimad Vijay Rajendra Suriji pioneered the creation of Abhidhan Rajendra and thus paved the way to the study of Jain texts and Sanskrit and Prakrit languages in India. Suriji remarkably felt that a number of valuable words of Magadhi dialect in Jain philosophy have become obsolete and something should be done to revive them. He collected all valuable words of Jain Philosophy, found their original Sanskrit roots, gave correct definitions and noted the exact meaning they embodied.
Abhidhan Rajendra was started in 1889 and continuously compiled for 14 years till 1903. During this period, he made extensive tours on foot, covering thousands of miles, organized Pratishta, Anjan Shalaka, gave initiation (Deeksha) participated in religious discussion and composed alongwith Abhidhan Rajendra, the Prakrit dictionary entitled Paiya Saddambuhi and Kalpsutra Balavabodhini and many other such volumes. His writing material were old deshi pens made from Baru sticks and ink was prepared every day and it had to be dried every evening. A.R. was prepared under such rigid penance.
A.R. gives in detail the history of a particular word, its origin and usages in various contexts, references, gender, suffixes and anecdotes under various heads in several pages. It deals in detail with Sutras,
by K. L. Banthia
their vritties, bhasyas, niryuktis, churnis, alongwith the history of the various Darsans - Vedant school, Nyay Vaivesika and Mimansa system of thought in elegant and beautiful style. A.R., has 7 volumes containing 60,000 Prakrit words with Sanskrit synonyms starting with "A" () and ending with "ha" () with their Matras of Devanagari script. A.R. abounds in treasury of references churned from 97 ancient works of Jain Acharyas and contains approximately 450,000 Sanskrit verses. It is a quintessence of Jain Agams.
Needless to say that there is no parallel to be found of this unique works of Suriji not only in any religion or language of India but also of the world. After years of his study of A.R., Prof. Sylvan Levi of Paris University remarked, "I can say that no student of Indology and Ancient India can ignore this wonderful work. In its specialization, it has surpassed the "Jewel of Lexicons - the Saint Petersburg Lexicon. Will there be any work about Hinduism and Buddhism comparable to it?"
The celebrated and learned author of this monumental work, Shrimad Vijay Rajendra Surishwarji was born on 3rd December, 1827 A.D. at Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Inspite of his ardent desire, Suriji could not see publications of A.R. in his lifetime. Litho Press had just started then. It's publication could be started only in 1906 and completion of its 7 volumes took several years. Jain Prabhakar Printing Press was established at Ratlam (M.P.) at a cost of Rs. 4 lakhs for printing this magnum opus. Many Indian and Foreign Scholars eager to study the Jain religion, Prakrit language and nonJain philosophies were delighted as they received such a unique, complete and fascinating Encyclopedia or "Vishwakosh" after years of patient waiting
After several years of its first edition when it became no more available, Muni Nagrajji, D.Lit, thought to get it reprinted again. Inauguration of the second edition was done by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India in 1984. However, the demand in the country and from overseas was so great that the third edition had to be printed soon by the present sixth Acharya succeeding Rajendra Suriji, Sri Jayant Sen Suriji in 1986.
With fast developing interest and study of the Jain religion culture and philosophy in several universities of the world, its English translation will be universally useful and beneficial to students, research scholars and historians in general.
Views and suggestions are invited from scholars of Jain studies, universities teaching Jainism, having linguistics, historical and International studies and humanities departments regarding translation and publication of English translation of Abhidhan Rajendra Kosh.
K.L Banthia, 261 Z-1 Barra-2 Hemant Vihar, Kanpur-208027, INDIA. Phone: 0512-612511,612434
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1998/21 www.jainelibrary.org