SOME OBSERVATIONS ON JAINA GOTRAS
Summary
The article examines two versions of a Jain Gotra list: a printed text (P.T.) with 74 Gotras and a Devanagari manuscript (Ms.) with 84. Only 71 Gotras overlap, with discrepancies in numbering and missing entries. The P.T. numbering is deemed more authentic due to consistent alignment with known Sutra and Pravara names. The Ms. includes 13 additional Gotras (72–84), some with unclear or potentially corrupted names (e.g., "Lohacharya?" or "[ :"). Both texts show scribal errors and phonetic variations, suggesting regional dialect influences. The Sakhas (clusters) follow a standard two-Gotra-per-Sakha rule, with one exception (P.T. 57–58). Pravaras derive from the *Sahasranama* and *Sthavishtha Sata*, while Sutras correlate with Ganadhara and Tirthankara names. The Ms. introduces unexplained Lesya (moral knowledge) categories, possibly from *Lesyadhikara* (Gommatasara). Despite textual corruption, the lists reflect connections to Prathamanuyoga and ritualistic literature, though definitive sources remain unclear. The author calls for a corrected Devanagari edition for scholarly use.
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Conclusion
This analysis of Jaina Gotras reveals significant textual discrepancies between the printed list and the Devanagari manuscript, highlighting issues of scribal errors, dialectal variations, and numbering inconsistencies. The study identifies 13 additional Gotras in the manuscript not present in the printed text, suggesting regional or linguistic divergence in the transmission of Jaina genealogical records. The implications of these differences underscore the need for a more authoritative Devanagari edition to clarify ambiguities and preserve accuracy. The findings also emphasize the challenges in reconstructing ancient texts from corrupt sources and the importance of cross-referencing multiple manuscripts for scholarly precision. This comparative approach offers valuable insights into the evolution of Jaina Gotra traditions and their textual history.