जम्बूदीव - पण्णत्ति - संगहो एवं डॉ. आदिनाथ नेमिनाथ उपाध्ये
By Adinath Neminath Upadhye, Anupam Jain
Summary
The article discusses the Jambudvipa-Pannatti-Sangaho, a significant Jain text related to Karananuyoga, authored by Acharya Padmanandi in the 10th-11th century CE. The text, comprising 13 sections and 2429 verses, reflects Jain cosmological and mathematical thought. It is one of four major Karananuyoga works in the Digambara tradition, alongside Tiloyapannatti, Trilokasara, and Lokavibhaga. Dr. A.N. Upadhyaye edited three of these texts, published by the Jain Sanskriti Sanrakshak Sangh, Solapur. The article highlights the mathematical content of the Jambudvipa-Pannatti-Sangaho, including place value systems, arithmetic progressions, geometric progressions, and geometric formulas. It describes the use of decimal place value, where numbers are expressed in words from units upward. Formulas for sums of natural numbers and geometric series are provided. Geometric concepts include chords, arcs, arrows, diameters, and frustum of a cone calculations. The text also uses the concept of half-division (ardhaccheda), equivalent to base-2 logarithms. The article notes that Dr. Upadhyaye’s editorial work contributed significantly to revealing the mathematical knowledge of Jain acharyas, correcting earlier perceptions of limited Digambara contributions to mathematics. The article is part of a special issue of the journal Gyan Deshna, dedicated to Dr. Upadhyaye’s life and work, and includes announcements of annual Shrut Samvardhan awards for 2009.
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Conclusion
The editorial work of Dr. A.N. Upadhye on the Jambudvipa-pannatti-sangaho has revealed the profound mathematical sophistication embedded within Jain cosmological texts, demonstrating that this tradition was not merely religious but also a repository of advanced geometric and arithmetic knowledge. The document’s detailed analysis of proportional division, decimal place-value notation, series progressions, and geometric formulas—such as those for chords, arcs, and frustums—shows that Jain acharyas possessed a systematic mathematical framework centuries before similar concepts were formalized elsewhere. This publication has corrected earlier misconceptions about the limited scope of Digambara mathematical contributions, proving that the karananuyoga tradition is a vital source for the history of Indian mathematics. Consequently, these findings compel a reassessment of the global history of mathematics, positioning Jain scholarship as an essential, rather than peripheral, contributor to the development of mathematical thought.