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COLLECTION OF JAINA PHILOSOPHICAL TRACTS
REVIEWED
E. A. Solomon In this Collection', Shri N .J. Shah has edited ten bitherto unpublished Jaina philosophical tracts. (i) Saddarśana-nirnaya of Merutungasari (15th cent, VS.) (pp. 1-11). At the outset the author gives a very broad-minded definition of true Brahmana. hood (-परं तद् ब्राह्मण्य सत्य-तपोदयेन्द्रियदमादिरूपब्रह्मात्मकं मुख्यलक्षणम्...सत्यादिरूपं च ब्रह्म faraha agar saft qolg za va- p. 1.). Then he gives a brief idea of the relevant six systems of philosophy--Bauddha, Mimams (along with Vedanta), Samkhya, Nyaya, Vaiseșika and Jaina. The author has pointedly criticised the Buddhist doctrine of momentariness, the denial of sarvajñata in Mimāṁsā, as also the apauruçeyala of the Veda and the element of himsa and rāga in sacrificial rites, the Sankhya concept of praksti-puruşa with special reference to their rejation, the Nyāya concep. tion of God, and the Vaiseșika concept of mokşa. He seems to approve of the Jaina emphasis on austerity and spiritual discipline, and on darsana, Jaana and caritra as leading to mokşa. What the author seems to emphasise Is that in spite of inetaphysical differences all the systems of Indian thought agree with regard to their values of life and discipline. He substantiates his view by quotations from works of different schools.
The author has distinguished between the Nyāya and the Vaiseşika concepts of mokşa. See [area] facanda yen faltelefant surfacin: GGUFT FTA: 1 (p. 5) and [asrusaa] 29191 fa-y-gazere 9-934-cafettसंस्काररूपविशेषणानामत्यन्तोच्छेदे मोक्षः । (p. 6).
The style of this tract is simple. Certain expressions are noteworthy, e.g., farafa aga hafa fara acai fe 717 FIT (p. 6),
(ii) Pancadarsana-khandana (pp. 12-19)-author not known, but undoubtedly a Jaina writer (The date of the M.S. 13 V.S. 1503), Here we find the refutation of four philosophical systems (-Nyāya, Vaišeșika, Samkhya and Bauddha-) though the title is Panca'. The author's stand-point is that of a Jaioa and he tries to show that the principles recognised by the other systems could be easily accomodated in jiva and ajiva recognised by the Jainas. He criticises very briefly the philosophical views of the other systems,
Collection of Jaina Philosophical Tracts - Edited by Nagin J. Shah (May, 1973-L.D, Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, 9; pages 14+164; Price Rs, 16).
