Dravyasamgraha
Encyclopedia
(Compendium of substances) is a 10th century Jain text in Jain Sauraseni Prakrit
by Acarya Nemicandra belonging to the Jain Digambara
tradition. It is a composition of 58 gatha
s (verses) giving an exposition of the six dravyas
(substances) that characterize the Jain view of the world: sentient (jīva
), non-sentient (pudgala), principle of motion (dharma
), principle of rest (adharma), space (ākāśa) and time (kāla
). It is one of the most important Jain works and has gained widespread popularity. has played an important role in Jain education and is often memorized because of its comprehensiveness as well as brevity.
is composed by the 10th century Jain Acarya, Nemicandra Siddhānta Cakravartin
. He was a contemporary of Camundaraya
—the general of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Karnataka
—who was also his disciple. Nemicandra was a prolific author and a specialist in summarizing and giving lucidly the essence of teachings in various fields; (compendium) and sāras (essence) were his specialty. He also wrote Trilokasāra (essence of cosmology), Labdhisāra (essence of attainments), (essence on destruction of karmas), and (essence of Gommata, a treatise on soul and Karma). Although not much is known about him from his own works, at the end of the Trilokasāra and of the , he introduces himself as a pupil of Abhayanandi, Vīranandi, Indranandi and Kanakanandi. He is said to have inspired Camundaraya to build the famous Bāhubali
statue at Shravanabelagola
. Vahuvali Charitra (a Jain work based on collection of traditions) notes that Nemicandra belonged to the monastic order of Desiya gana. After establishing the statue of Bāhubali, Camundaraya offered villages yielding a revenue of 96,000 gold coins to Nemicandra for daily worship of and festivals for Gommatesvara (Lord Bāhubali).
's Pañcāstikāyasara
because these works are based on the same topics as the .
, the is largely a work of definitions of concepts with mnemonic perspective. In its 58 verses, the author makes skillful use of āryā metre. Nemicandra’s presentation is often articulated around the opposition between the conventional and the absolute points of view (vyavahāra and niścaya-naya), or around the contrast between the material and the spiritual angles (dravya and bhāva). Sarat Chandra Ghoshal, the translator of , divides the entire text in three convenient parts—the first part deals with six dravyas
(verses 1–27), the second with seven tattvas
(verses 28–39) and the third part describes the way to attain liberation (verses 40–57).
consists of jiva
and ajiva
. In the second verse Jiva
is defined:
The various characteristics of Jiva mentioned in the definition are taken up one by one in verses 3–14. classifies the embodied souls on the basis of the number of senses possessed by it: from one to five senses. After this detailed description of Jivas the author proceeds to describe Ajiva
s—Pudgala, Dharma
, adharma, Akasa and Kala, each of which is defined in verses 16–22.
Among these, as per verse 23, the Jiva, pudgala, dharma, adharma, and akasa are called astikayas, the extensibles or conglomerates.
(karmic inflow), bandha
(bondage of karmas), saṃvara
(stoppage of karmas), nirjarā
(shedding of karmas) and mokṣa (emancipation or liberation). Together with puṇya (merit or beneficial karma) and pāpa (demerit or harmful karma) they form nine padartha. Some call all nine as navatattava or nine tattvas.
(meditation) is emphasized. On meditation, Nemicandra says:
Verses 49 to 54 discusses the five classes of supreme beings and their characteristics.
Prakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
by Acarya Nemicandra belonging to the Jain Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
tradition. It is a composition of 58 gatha
Gatha
Gatha is a type of metered and often rhythmic poetic verse or a phrase in the ancient Indian languages of Prakrit and Sanskrit. The word is originally derived from the Sanskrit/Prakrit root gai , which means, to speak, sing, recite or extol. Hence gatha can mean either speech, verse or a song...
s (verses) giving an exposition of the six dravyas
Dravya (Jainism)
According to Jain cosmology, the universe is made up of six dravya : sentient beings or souls , non-sentient substance or matter , principle of motion , the principle of rest , space and time . The latter five are united as the ajiva...
(substances) that characterize the Jain view of the world: sentient (jīva
Jiva
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva is a living being, or more specifically, the immortal essence of a living organism which survives physical death. It has a very similar usage to atma, but whereas atma refers to "the cosmic self", jiva is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living...
), non-sentient (pudgala), principle of motion (dharma
Dharma (Jainism)
Jain texts assign a wide range of meaning to the word Dharma or Dhamma . It is often translated as “religion” and as such, Jainism is called as Jain Dharma by its adherents....
), principle of rest (adharma), space (ākāśa) and time (kāla
Kala
Kala may refer to:In Hinduism:*Kāla , a Sanskrit word for "time"*Kalā: 64 arts*Kala Bo, a Hindu consort goddess*Kirtimukha: a fierce guardian faceIn culture*Kala , a character in the Tarzan novels*Kala , a 2007 Indonesian film...
). It is one of the most important Jain works and has gained widespread popularity. has played an important role in Jain education and is often memorized because of its comprehensiveness as well as brevity.
Author
is composed by the 10th century Jain Acarya, Nemicandra Siddhānta Cakravartin
Nemichandra
Nemichandra Siddhanta Chakravarty , was the celebrated author of Dravyasamgraha, Gomattasara , Triloksara, Labdhisara and Kshapanasara. He was among the most distinguished of the Jain Acharyas....
. He was a contemporary of Camundaraya
Chavundaraya
Chavundraya was a military commander, poet and a minister in the court of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad . A person of many talents, in 982 he commissioned the Gomateshwara, a monolithic sculpture in Shravanabelagola, an important place of pilgrimage for Jains...
—the general of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
—who was also his disciple. Nemicandra was a prolific author and a specialist in summarizing and giving lucidly the essence of teachings in various fields; (compendium) and sāras (essence) were his specialty. He also wrote Trilokasāra (essence of cosmology), Labdhisāra (essence of attainments), (essence on destruction of karmas), and (essence of Gommata, a treatise on soul and Karma). Although not much is known about him from his own works, at the end of the Trilokasāra and of the , he introduces himself as a pupil of Abhayanandi, Vīranandi, Indranandi and Kanakanandi. He is said to have inspired Camundaraya to build the famous Bāhubali
Bahubali
According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, and king of Podanpur. The Adipurana, a 10th century Kannada text by Jain poet Adikavi Pampa According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the...
statue at Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola
Shravana Belgola is a city located in the Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bangalore. The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural...
. Vahuvali Charitra (a Jain work based on collection of traditions) notes that Nemicandra belonged to the monastic order of Desiya gana. After establishing the statue of Bāhubali, Camundaraya offered villages yielding a revenue of 96,000 gold coins to Nemicandra for daily worship of and festivals for Gommatesvara (Lord Bāhubali).
Influence
has played an important role in Jain education and is often memorized because of its comprehensiveness and brevity. The composition of is influenced from the earlier Jain works such as Umāsvāti’s Tattvārthasūtra and KundakundaKundakunda
Kundakunda is a celebrated Jain Acharya, Jain scholar monk, 2nd century CE, composer of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies the highest place in the tradition of the Jain acharyas.He belonged to the Mula...
's Pañcāstikāyasara
Pancastikayasara
Pañcastikayasara, or the essence of reality, is a Digambara text by Kundakunda is part of his trilogy, known as the prahbrta-traya or the nataka-traya. Kundakunda explains the Jaina concepts of Ontology and Ethics...
because these works are based on the same topics as the .
Contents and overview
According to Nalini BalbirNalini Balbir
Nalini Balbir is a renowned French Indologist who lives in Paris. Born of a French mother and an Indian father, she is a scholar of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. She was a direct student and protegee of the Sanskrit scholar and renowned Indologist Prof. Dr. Mme. Colette...
, the is largely a work of definitions of concepts with mnemonic perspective. In its 58 verses, the author makes skillful use of āryā metre. Nemicandra’s presentation is often articulated around the opposition between the conventional and the absolute points of view (vyavahāra and niścaya-naya), or around the contrast between the material and the spiritual angles (dravya and bhāva). Sarat Chandra Ghoshal, the translator of , divides the entire text in three convenient parts—the first part deals with six dravyas
Dravya (Jainism)
According to Jain cosmology, the universe is made up of six dravya : sentient beings or souls , non-sentient substance or matter , principle of motion , the principle of rest , space and time . The latter five are united as the ajiva...
(verses 1–27), the second with seven tattvas
Tattva (Jainism)
Jain metaphysics is based on seven truths or fundamental principles also known as tattva or navatattva, which are an attempt to explain the nature and solution to the human predicament. The first two are the two ontological categories of the soul jīva and the non-soul ajīva, namely the axiom that...
(verses 28–39) and the third part describes the way to attain liberation (verses 40–57).
The six dravyas
In tine opening verse, along with the usual mangalacharana (eulogy), it is mentioned that dravyaDravya (Jainism)
According to Jain cosmology, the universe is made up of six dravya : sentient beings or souls , non-sentient substance or matter , principle of motion , the principle of rest , space and time . The latter five are united as the ajiva...
consists of jiva
Jiva
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva is a living being, or more specifically, the immortal essence of a living organism which survives physical death. It has a very similar usage to atma, but whereas atma refers to "the cosmic self", jiva is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living...
and ajiva
Ajiva
In Jainism, ajiva is anything that has no soul or life, the polar opposite of jiva. Because ajiva has no life, it does not accumulate karma and cannot die. Examples of ajiva include chairs, computers, paper, and plastic. Ajivas can be divided into two kinds, with form and without form.-Five...
. In the second verse Jiva
Jiva
In Hinduism and Jainism, a jiva is a living being, or more specifically, the immortal essence of a living organism which survives physical death. It has a very similar usage to atma, but whereas atma refers to "the cosmic self", jiva is used to denote an individual 'living entity' or 'living...
is defined:
The various characteristics of Jiva mentioned in the definition are taken up one by one in verses 3–14. classifies the embodied souls on the basis of the number of senses possessed by it: from one to five senses. After this detailed description of Jivas the author proceeds to describe Ajiva
Ajiva
In Jainism, ajiva is anything that has no soul or life, the polar opposite of jiva. Because ajiva has no life, it does not accumulate karma and cannot die. Examples of ajiva include chairs, computers, paper, and plastic. Ajivas can be divided into two kinds, with form and without form.-Five...
s—Pudgala, Dharma
Dharma (Jainism)
Jain texts assign a wide range of meaning to the word Dharma or Dhamma . It is often translated as “religion” and as such, Jainism is called as Jain Dharma by its adherents....
, adharma, Akasa and Kala, each of which is defined in verses 16–22.
Among these, as per verse 23, the Jiva, pudgala, dharma, adharma, and akasa are called astikayas, the extensibles or conglomerates.
Tattvas
The second part deals with the seven tattvas (fundamental principles or verities): jīva (soul), ajīva (non soul), āsravaAsrava
Asrava is one of the tattva or the fundamental reality of the world as per the Jain philosophy. It refers to the influence of body and mind causing the soul to generate karma....
(karmic inflow), bandha
Bandha
Bandha is a Sanskrit term for "binding, bond, arrest, capturing, putting together" etc.It may refer to:*a technical term in Hatha Yoga, see Bandha *one of the tattvas in Jainism, see Bandha -See also:...
(bondage of karmas), saṃvara
Samvara
Samvara is one of the tattva or the fundamental reality of the world as per the Jain philosophy. It means stoppage—the stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness. The karmic process in Jainism is based on seven truths or fundamental principles of Jainism which...
(stoppage of karmas), nirjarā
Nirjara
Nirjara is one of the nine fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy, and refers to the shedding or destruction of accumulated karmas from the atma , essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-death and rebirth, by achieving moksha, liberation.Literally meaning "falling...
(shedding of karmas) and mokṣa (emancipation or liberation). Together with puṇya (merit or beneficial karma) and pāpa (demerit or harmful karma) they form nine padartha. Some call all nine as navatattava or nine tattvas.
Moksa
The third part of begins with verse 39 describing the means to attain liberation from conventional and real point of views. The three jewels of Jainism also known as Ratnatraya—Samyak darśana (rational perception), samyak jñāna (rational knowledge) and samyak cāritra (rational conduct)—which are essential in achieving liberation—are defined and the importance of dhayanaJain Meditation
Jain meditation has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels. Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure...
(meditation) is emphasized. On meditation, Nemicandra says:
Verses 49 to 54 discusses the five classes of supreme beings and their characteristics.
Commentaries
One of the most popular commentaries of is that by Brahmadeva from around the 14th century. Other commentaries on the work include:- Balacandra (1142) – Tika on Nemicandra's Dravyasamgraha
- Mallisena (1292) – Commentary on Nemicandra Siddhantin's Dravyasamgraha
- Brahmadeva (1300) – Vrtti on Nemicandra's Dravyasamgraha
- Hamsaraja (1750) – Commentary on Nemicandra's Dravyasamgraha.
- Ramacandra – Commentary on Nemicandra's Dravyasamgraha.