________________
Jaina contribution to Indian Sanskrit Grammar - A Survey : 122
Nemicandra Sastri considers Satya-pravādapūrva to be the source of the origin of Jaina grammar. Lord Mahavira is also accredited to have written a grammatical treatise Śabdānuāsana for Indra. Jaina canons also refer to the grammar. Sthānāñga (VIII) mentions 8 cases, Anuyogadvāra refers to three Vacanas (number), Liñgas (genders), Kālas (tenses) and Purusas (persons). It also states 4, 5, and 10 kinds of Sañjñā (nouns) and seven Samāsas (assimilations) and five Padas. Probably, the writing of Jaina works in Sanskrit prompted the Jaina authors to write Jaina Sanskrit grammar.
Coming to the post Mahavira Jaina tradition, both of its prominent sects: Śvetambara and Digambara have their own literature and not surprisingly, each developed its peculiar grammatical tradition. 'The Digambara tradition of grammar begins with the Jainendra Vyākaraṇa, traditionally attributed to Mahavira, but in fact composed during fifth cent. AD by Pujyapāda Devanandi. Śabdānuśāsana and Amoghavṛtti of Abhinava Śākaṭāyana (c. AD 850) may be treated as the earliest Yapaniya works on the grammar. Śabdānuśāsana draws on all the prominent works of his predecessors. Pañcagranthi or Sabdalakṣaṇa of Buddhisāgarsuri (AD 1024) is in all probability the first work of grammar of Śvetambar tradition. Terapanthi sect, a prominent sub-sect of Śvetambar Jainas, possesses a grammar of its own entitled Bhikṣuśabdānuśasana of Muni Chauthamala (1935 AD), forming the basis of the study of Sanskrit grammar by monks and nuns of this sect.
Prior to Jainendravyākaraṇa, the works (all lost) of six grammarians: 1. Śrīdatta, 2.Yaśobhadra, 3. Bhūtabali, 4. Prabhācandra, 5. Siddhasena and 6. Samantabhadra, are referred. Tantrapradīpa of Maitreyarakṣita refers to Kṣapaṇaka-Vyakarana of Kṣapanaka (c. AD 1st cent.) and a commentary Mahānyāsa on it by anonymous (both not available). Some identify Kṣapaṇaka with Siddhasena.
Pujyapada Devanandi, Pälyakīrti Sākaṭāyana and Acārya Hemacandra, forming the triad, occupied the same place of prominence in Jaina tradition of grammar as Munitraya (triad of sages) Panini, Katyayana and Patanjali in Vedic tradition. In addition, Sabdanuśāsana of Malayagiri and Bhikṣuśabdānuśāsanaṁ of Terapanthi Acārya Cauthamala are the prominent contributions of Jaina tradition to the Sanskrit grammar.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
