Sabdabhedaprakaiatiki by Jadanavimalagani
By M. M. Patkar
Summary
Introducing the Sabdabhedaprakaśa, a concise lexicon compiled by Mahesvara that lists nouns with identical meanings but different spellings, this note explains that the Jain scholar Jāḍanavimalagaṇi wrote an extensive commentary on it. A monk of the Kharatara Gaccha, he explained the derivations of each word and cited authorities from various fields. The article lists many authors he quoted, including grammarians such as Pāṇini and lexicographers like Hemacandra, as well as poets and philosophers. It also outlines his spiritual lineage: he belonged to a line of Jain teachers that included Abhayadevasūri, Jinadattasūri, Devendrasūri and others, indicating his connection to the Kharatara sect. The commentary thus provides valuable information about Jain scholastic traditions and linguistic studies. By analysing the structure of the Sabdabhedaprakaśa and its commentary, the note highlights the medieval interest in synonymy and orthography and the role of Jain monks in preserving and expanding Sanskrit scholarship.
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Conclusion
The note underscores the importance of Jāḍanavimalagaṇi’s commentary on the Sabdabhedaprakaśa for understanding medieval lexicography and Jain intellectual history. It reveals how Jain scholars preserved and elaborated Sanskrit linguistic traditions while tracing their own spiritual lineages.