The Contribution of Jain Authors to Sanskrit Chandaḥ Śāstra

This article examines the substantial and varied contributions of Jain authors to the development of Sanskrit Chandaḥ Śāstra, or Sanskrit prosody. While Pingalacarya is recognized as the pioneer, the author focuses on seven Jain writers—Jayadeva, Svayambhu, Jayakirti, Ratnamanjisa, Hemacandracarya, and Kavidarpanakera—who significantly advanced the field. The article details their individual works, methodologies, and innovations. Jayadeva’s *Jayadeva-chandas* is presented as an independent, systematic work that defines new Laukika metres and uses symbolic words for numbers. Svayambhu’s *Svayambhiicchandas* is highlighted as an important manual of Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres, which influenced later scholars like Hemacandra. Jayakirti’s *Chandonudasanam*, dated around 1060 A.D., focuses on explaining general aspects of Chandah. Ratnamanjisa, whose author is unknown, defines 84 Varna vrttas using a dual system of signs and introduces a unit of four matras. Hemacandracarya’s *Chandonugasana*, written in 1118 A.D., is described as an encyclopedic work that gave prestige to Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres, inventing a new code system using consonants to indicate yati. Finally, Kavidarpanakera’s *Kavidarpana*, a 13th-century Prakrit work, serves as a practical guide to metres. The author concludes that Jain authors established their individual existence by defining new metres, evolving new methods for brevity and preciseness, and incorporating Prakrit and Apabhramsa metres into their works. The article discusses several other sources and commentators to contextualize the contributions of these Jain authors. It mentions that Utpala Bhatta, Bhata Halayudha, Sulhana, Abhinavagupta, Svayambha, Namisadhu, Jayakirti, Hemacandracarya, and Narayana have all referenced Jayadeva, establishing him as an authority. For Svayambhu, the text cites H. C. Bhayani, Jinavijayaji Muni, and H. D. Velankar, noting the latter's critical edition of *Svayambhiicchandas*. Jayakirti is placed between Kedara Bhatta and Hemacandracarya, with H. D. Velankar providing his approximate date. Ratnamanjisa is dated to the 11th century by Acharya Baladeva Upadhyaya, and its unknown commentator is noted for composing its illustrations. Hemacandracarya’s life details are drawn from historical records, including his birth in 1088 A.D. at Dhandhuka and his association with kings Suddhala Jayasimha and Kumarapala. The text also references Dr. Suryakanta for Hemacandra’s laconic style and notes that Kavidarpanakera was known to Jinaprabha, who commented on Nandisena’s *Ajitasastisatava* in 1309 A.D. Additionally, the article mentions Pingala’s *Chandahastra* and the *Vrttaratnakara* of Kedara Bhatta as foundational texts, as well as the *Pancatantra* and *Kavyalankara* of Rudrata as works that reference these authors. The author also notes that Hemacandra’s *Sabdanusasapa* and *Desicinamala* were influenced by his study of Apabhramsa metres. The article provides specific details about the structure and content of the Jain authors’ works, highlighting their unique approaches to defining and illustrating metres. Jayadeva’s *Jayadeva-chandas* consists of eight chapters and defines eight new metres, using ya, ma, ta, ra, ja, bha, na, sa, and la as definitional units. Svayambhu’s *Svayambhiicchandas* has fourteen chapters, with the seventh chapter defining 26 Jatis of samavrttas and the eighth treating Ardhasama metres. The ninth chapter, named *Prakrtasara*, defines Visama metres. Svayambhu’s method

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