Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

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

Page 66

Prasamaratiprakarana and commentaries on it
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of Jainism such as substance, soul, Some of the important doctrines syadvada, house-holders' duties etc., are so precisely told that the reader feels that many verses are really sutras, pregnant with utmost significance. The subject-matter is discussed with such a remarkable dignity, in suitable Arya metre in lucid and simple manner, that this composition is enough to commemorate the poetic talents of Umasvati. The speciality of this work is that the verses are precisely worded, throughout the work there is an ease about discussions, simplicity in style, direct appealing nature, spontaneous outcome of thought which are possible only from one who has tasted the nectar of direct spiritual experience. Jaina PhilosoThis work is undoubtedly an outstanding contribution to phy and Religion.
Commentaries on PRP.
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Two commentaries are available at present on PRP, one by Haribhadrasari (12th Century A.D.) and another with avacurat by an unknown author.91 Both these commentaries belong to Svetambara school and it seems that no Digambara has commented upon it. Except these two commentaries, unfortunately other commentaries are available at present, but their existence is inferred from the colophon given at the end of Haribhadrasuri's commentary on PRP.29 But no special profoundity is found in these two existing commentaries. The essential qualities of a genuine commentary, especially critical insight of textual explanation, alternative interpretations, the supplementary discussions, standard quotations and similes are absent in these commentaries.
Commentator Haribhadrasuri (12 A.D.) is not the same individual as the distinguished erudite writer, known as yakinisunu Haribhadra who flourished in circa 8th century A.D. He is also different from that Haribhadra (1216 V.S. = 1160 A.D.) who is the author of Nemināhacariu in Prakrit, and who belonged to Vadagaccha and was the pupil of Sricandrasuri. The colophon given at the end of commentary on PRP., by
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Recently I found one more brief commentory (Sańksepato arthavṛtti) by Jasasomagani (1619 A.D.). It is really a kind of avacuri and lacks original.ty of its own. It is completely based on earlier two commertaries and avacuri. This brief commentary is now published in my critically edited with English translation of Prajamaratiprakaraṇa, published by L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, 1989.
21. (a) Prasamaratiprakarana with Haribhadra's commentary, J.S. Zaveri. 1940.
(b) Prasamaratiprakaraṇa with unknown author's commentary, Bhavnagar. V.S. 1966. 22. "Paribhavyavṛddhatikaḥ"-PRP. Colophon-3.
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