Phoolchandra Shastri: Difference between revisions

As noted by Prakash Jain in his book Jain Community of Bundelkhand<ref name=Prakash66> Jain, Prakash (2020), p. 66 </ref>, one of the main objectives of ''Jain Sanskrit Vidyalayas'', many of them set up by ''Kshullaka'' Ganesh Prasad Varni, was to produce a large number of Jain Pandits or lay scholars well versed in the ancient languages of Prakrit and Sanskrit as well as Jain doctrine to study and conduct research on the vast body of untapped ancient texts preserved in temple complexes and ''shastra bhandars'' for centuries. However, the life of these Pandits was a difficult one due to the irregular source of income and constant migration in search of work. They were also expected to live a simple, austere and conservative lifestyle befitting a Jain Pandit. Pandit Phoolchandra Shastri was one such quintessential Jain Pandit who led a simple and austere life and left behind a vast legacy of works by translating, editing and writing books.<ref name=Prakash66> Jain, Prakash (2020), p. 66 </ref>▼

Pandit Phoolchandra Shastri had an excellent understanding of Jain philosophy and was considered as one of the greatest exponents of the [[Karma in Jainism|Jain theory of Karma]].<ref>Jain, Duli Chandra (1989), p. 2</ref> He enunciated on philosophical and controversial topics in Jainism such as caste, ''stri-mukti'' (the liberation of women) and the inherent purity of souls. These topics were a matter of great debate between Digambara Pandits of Varanasi during the first few decades of the [[Independence of India|post-independence]] era.<ref>Jain, Padmanabh (2019), p. 52</ref> As noted by the Jain scholar, Prof. [[Padmanabh Jaini]], Panditji's publishing of his research on ''niyativada'' based on various ancient Jain texts resulted in a great deal of debate amongst the Jain scholars. His interpretation of the philosophical concept of ''niyati'' or pre-destination, opened up a new field of research for the comparative study of [[Ajivika]] and Jain doctrines of bondage and salvation.<ref>Jaini, Padmanabh (2000), p. 108-09</ref> He, along with his close friends and colleagues Pandit Kailash Chandra Shastri and Pandit Jaganmohan Lal Shastri, were famously known as the ''Ratnatrayi'', that is, the three jewels of Jainism. He was a protege of the noted Jain scholar and philosopher [[Ganeshprasad Varni]]. <ref name=Cort> Cort, John (2006), p. 269 </ref> While he belonged to the [[Digambara Terapanth]] tradition, his ecumenical and non-sectarian approach helped him in reducing tensions between the Samaiya community of [[Taran Panth]] and his own [[Parwar (Jain community)|Parvar community]] of [[Digambara Terapanth]] to which he belonged.<ref name=Wiley> Wiley, Kristi (2006), p. 194 </ref> <ref name=Cort> Cort, John (2006), p. 269 </ref> ▼

Pandit Phoolchandra Shastri is best known for editing and translating the ''[[Shatkhandagama]]'' and the ''[[Kasayapahuda]]''.<ref name=Wiley> Wiley, Kristi (2006), p. 194 </ref><ref name=Prakash67> Jain, Prakash (2020), p. 67 </ref>These texts represent the most important [[Digambara]] [[Jain literature|Jain Cannonical literature]] which was made accessible to modern society through the efforts of Panditji and a team of eminent Jain scholars like Dr. Hiralal Jain, Dr. [[A.N. Upadhye]], Pt. Kailash Chandra Shastri, Pt. Hiralal Shastri, Pt. [[Balachandra Shastri]], Pt. [[Nathuram Premi]] and Pt. Devakinandan Nayak. The entire work was carried on the basis of ancient palm leaf manuscripts. It continued from 1939 to 1985. Padmanabh Jaini notes that the ''Shatkhandagama'' and the ''Kasayapahuda'' along with their commentaries ''Dhavala'', ''Mahadhavala'' and ''Jayadhavala'', which were translated into Hindi by Pandit Phoolchandra, were of epic proportions comprising of 172,000 ''shlokas''.<ref> Jaini, Padmanabh (2000) p. 139</ref> He has also authored numerous books on Jainism like ''Varna, Jati Aur Dharma'' and ''Jain Tattvamimamsa.'' Besides the translation of ''Shatkhandagama'' and ''Kasayapahuda'', he edited and translated numerous Jain ancient texts like the ''[[Tattvarthasutra]]'', the ''Ratnakaranda Shravakachara'' and the ''Sarvarthasiddhi''.<ref name=Prakash67> Jain, Prakash (2020), p. 67 </ref> He also edited Journals like ''Shanti-Sindhu'' published by Acharya Shanti Sagar Sarasvati Bhawan, Natepute (Solapur) from 1935 to 1937 and another journal ''Jnanodaya'' published by Bharatiya Jnanpith, Kashi from 1949 to 1952.▼