________________
INTRODUCTION
The edition and publication of a comparatively small treatise named Jyotiskarandaka is very important, from the standpoint of Indian Jyotis (Astronomy).
Original Text of Jyotiskarandaka and its Author:
Complete text of this work has been preserved in two Manuscripts Libraries from among the invaluable ancient Manuscripts Libraries, but it was Rev. Muni Shri Punyavijayaji who gave us, for the first time, first time, this important information. Punyavijayaji remained constantly engaged in the search of manuscripts of the scriptural texts and in their correction, till his death. He was a highly learned scholar and the title Agamaprabhakara (the sun to the Jaina Scriptures) was conferred on him. He was an Ocean of scriptural knowledge and righteous conduct. He worshipped and served knowledge by divulging information about many unknown Jaina and Non-Jaina works which he came across during his active search and research, and by doing so he put scholars and lovers of learning under perpetual obligation.
The composition of the present work is based on the subjectmatter treated of in the Suryaprajñapti, an Upanga Sutra of the Jainas. This fact is related by the author of Jyotiskarandaka himself. (See gāthās 7 and 404).
Ac. Malayagiri flourished in the 12th Cent. V.S. He wrote revealing commentaries on many Scriptures. He has composed a Sanskrit commentary called Vṛtti on Jyotiskarandaka. Jyotiskarandaka along with this Sanskrit vṛtti has has been edited by Agamoddhäraka Ac. Sāgarānandasūriji and published by Rishabhadevaji Kesharimal Ratlam in 1928 A.D. Looking to this printed vrtti as also to its old manuscripts, it becomes clear that even Ac. Malayagiri had not before him the complete text of Jyotiskarandaka. From the first gathā 'suna tava sürapannattivannaṇam' occurring in the text of Jyotiskarandaka accepted by. Ac. Malayagiri, it follows that there should occur before this gatha, a presentation of a question in the form of a query. But in its place, the commentator has presented the gist of this question, in the form of an upodghata (= Commencement) made by some ācārya who had flourished in the past. Again, there does not occur in the beginning of the Jyotiskarandaka a benediction embodying a salutation to the author's favourite deity, and the commentator 27
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
