Nyayavatara and Nayakarnika

Author(s): Siddhasena Divakar, Vinayvijay, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Vikas Mandal

Page 47

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Siddhasena and his Works
less critic, straightforward and partial for quality or virtue. He expended his gifts and energy for enhancing the greatness of Mahāvira's creed.
Both the Pravacanasara and Sanmati-tarka are equally important; but if one of them is to be chosen for study, preference will have to be given to the latter. The verses in St are more attractive, but side by side the study of Ps cannot be avoided. In spite of the importance of St, if Ps is more popular in the courses of study, the reasons are obvious. The Ps presents principles of Jainism according to the ancient pattern, while St has a novel exposition of the same. Those who could not tolerate 'modernity' lost the advantage of the study of St. Secondly, the commentaries on Ps were not elaborate like available Ţikā on St which is very important but not easily understood by the general reader. Thirdly, Ps (text with comm.) is translated into both ancient and modern languages for the benefit of readers; but St has not been subjected to any such accessories of study.
Yasovijaya has stressed in his Dravya-guna-paryāya Rāsa that the study of Dravyānuyoga and understanding of Niścaya-caritra are more important than rituals, but such appeals have never induced monks to study works like the Sanmati. The St, if duly translated, might find place even in University courses.
The earlier commentaries of Mallavādi and Sumati on St are not available: the only commentary available now is that of Abhayadeva. Whether Siddhasena himself, like Akalanka, wrote a short commentary is a matter of investigation. Abhayadeva's commentary is too exhaustive: beyond explaining St, it has become a treatise by itself. It extends over 25000 Granthas. It presents a comprehensive survey of various Darśanas with a view to establishing the Anekantavāda: that seems to be its objective which is more than fulfilled. The work is bigger than Tattvasamgraha, Prameya-kamala-mārtaṇḍa and Nayacakra; and it is written in an attractive style. Eminent Jaina authors, from Siddhasena to Yaśovijaya, have enriched the literary heritage of Gujarat which possesses enviable Jñanabhanḍāras of Jainas in places like Pattan etc. They contain many nonJaina works of significance as well. (Details of the edition of the Sanmati published by the Gujarat Vidyapitha are given). Then some verses from the Stutis are given along with their exposition in