Jambudvipa-prajnāpti-samgraha of Padmanandi
Summary
The article introduces the Jambudvipa‑prajnapti‑samgraha, a Jain cosmographical compendium by the Digambara monk Padmanandi. It situates the work among earlier Ardha‑Magadhi texts like the Sthulaprajnapti and Jambuddiva‑pannatti and later Digambara compositions such as Yativrsabha’s Tiloyapannatti. The Jambudvipa‑prajnapti‑samgraha survives in obscure manuscripts with no extant commentaries, making its technical cosmology difficult to study. The author provides background on Padmanandi: he belonged to a lineage descending from Maghanandi through Sakalacandra and Srinandi, and he wrote the text in the town of Bari in the land of Pariyatra under the patronage of King Santibhupala. The work compiles information on the structure of the universe, especially the continent of Jambudvipa, and contains valuable linguistic data for Prakrit grammar. The author emphasises the need for critical editions and translations of this and related texts to advance understanding of Jain cosmology and scholasticism.
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Conclusion
By shedding light on a largely inaccessible Jain cosmographical compendium, the article contributes to the study of Digambara literature. Padmanandi’s work, produced in a specific historical and monastic context, collates earlier cosmographical traditions and exemplifies the scholastic rigour of Jain monks. Unedited and unsupported by commentaries, it challenges modern scholars but promises rich rewards for those examining Jain views of the universe and their linguistic peculiarities. This introduction encourages further editing and translation to make the text accessible.