Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 64

Prasamaratiprakarana aud eommentaries on it
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defend his view.9 Abhayadav..sQri (10th A,D.) commenting on Sanma. titarka prakarana qvotes a verse from PRP. to show that his view is supported by Umāsvati Vācakalo Again, another well-known writer Sāatisari in his Dharmaratnaprakaranavytti attributes PRF. to Umāsvāti and quotes 16 verses from it in different contexts. 11 These evidences suffice to lead us to the definite conclusion that PRP, is recognised right from the begincing as a work of Umāsvāti,
This work of the learned author is one of the master-pieces of Jaina Ethics, Philosophy and Religion. It is a compendious work covering the quintesence of Jainism in a convincing manner. This work holds a unique place in the old Sanskrit Jaina literature. Unlike the TS. which is purely philosophical in its nature, PRP, is an ethico philosophical text of more popular pature, addressed to the monks and laymen. Alike by the nature of its contents and easy language of the verses, it is studied with utmost devotion by Jaipas. It is a source bock of religious inspiration and spiritual solace for thousands of spiritually-minded people.
This work contains 313 verses in lucid Sanskrit in Arya metre and is divided into 22 chapters known as adhikaras, 19 covering almost all the important doctrines of Jainism, such as substance18, tativas, 1. plura. lity of Souls, 18 syadvada, 16 code of conduct for monksit and house-holders, 18 etc.
This work has significant title which subst'ntially indicates the main theme of the subject-matter. The author himself explains the term Prasama occuring in the title of the present work as synonym of vairaeva (non-attachment).19 It mainly deals with the causes of bondage in mun9. TSBT, Part II, 1 (int.oduction), III-1, IIT-6; V-20, V1-23; 1X-37. 10. Sanmatitarkaprakarana with vyākhyā I, P-64, PRP. Verse 218. ed. Sukhlal
Sanghavi, Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad, Samvat 1980. 11. (a) Dharmarat naprakaranuvrtii, gātha 103, P. 66, Jaip Atmanand Sabha, (b) Following verses from PRP : 162 2; 28/14, 184120; 175/76/44: 72, 72 73, 74:
6953; 106 107164; 121; 182 183/110 and 70/126. 12. Adhikara' means a Section in which particular topic is discussed. This divi
siog is a lot by con natator Haribhadra for the first time. 13. PRP. 189, 207, 210. 14. Ibid. 189. 15. Ibid. 190. 16. Ibid. 204-206. 17. Ibid. 114 ; 148, 228-9, etc. 18. Ibid. 302, 308. 19 Madhyasthyam vairāg yam viragatā säntih prasamaḥ"-PRP.-17.