Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

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

Page 74

ADHYATMOPANISATPRAKARANA OF YASOVIJAYA – A STUDY
Adhyatmopanişatprakarana is attributed to Mabāmahopadhyâya Yaso. vijaya-an outstanding philosopher Saint of Jainism. He flourished in end of 1 th Century and biginning of 18th century AD. He was the last great author and we can defipitely say that with our author, ends the history of Jaina Philosophical speculation. Gifted with multisided philosophical genius Yagovijaya enriched the Jaipa pbiloso phical thought with a number of orgional contributions. His writings, large in number and most diverse in contents, are standing testimony to the multifaced character of his intellectual personality. He has not given any new doctrine but his originality lies in making clear to us the meaning of the cardinal doctrines of old Jaina writers, often obscurelay worded and often mutually conflicting. Even his independent writings are essentially elaboration of and vindication of the traditional Jaina doctrines but presentation of them is genuinely independent. He was the only Jain author who has thoughly mastered or both Digambara and Svetāmber rich philosophical heritage. He was also extremely well-versed in all the contemporary systems of Indian philosophy and in tnis respect he can only be compared with Ācārya Vidyananda of 9th Century A.D. He is mostly known for his erudite scholarship. The mystical side of his saintlihood accompained with philosophical hсight is not yet fully explored to the learned world.
He was a great reconciliator of all the systems of Indian Philosophy. An attempt which was started by Siddhasena Divakara (Circa 5th A.D.) and Samanta Bhadra? , to reconcile different philosophical view-points culainated in writings of Yagovijaya. History of Jaina logical literature tells us that the texts belonging to this category are mostly devoted to the vindication of Anekantavada apd general evaluation and reconciliation of non-Jaina philosophical viewpoints. In this Adhyatmopanişatprakar also, Yagovijaya tried to uphold same tradition. But here he does not stop but goes beyond and speaks like a perfect mystic. This work is
1. Sanmatitarkaprakarana, Ed. Sukhalal Sanghavi and Pt. Bechardas Doshi. Pub.: Shri
Jain Shvetambar Education Board, Bombay, 1939. Introduction. 2. Aptami māmsa Ed. Gajad harlal Jain, Pub Bharatiya Jain Siddhanta Prakashini
Sanstha, Benaces, 1914, T-9