पण्डित आशाधर एवं उनका त्रिषष्टिस्मृति शास्त्र
By प्रो. एल. सी. जैन, ब्र. संजय जैन
Summary
Pandit Ashadhara, a Jain of the Badherwal caste, was a resident of Nalakachhapura (Nalchha) near the famous city of Dhara. He was an exceptionally talented scholar active in the late 13th and early 14th centuries Vikram. He composed approximately 19 works, many of which are available and published, while some remain untraced. His versatile genius is evident from his authoritative texts on logic, grammar, poetry, literature, religious science, and medicine. His poetic works include *Bharateshwarabhyudaya Kavya* with an auto-commentary, *Rajimati Vipralambha*, and *Trishashti Smriti Shastra*. The colophons of his works are significant for understanding the history and chronology of the Paramara kings. His other works are in the form of texts on the conduct of householders and monks, hymns, worship, rituals, and commentaries. According to the colophon of the *Trishashti Smriti*, this work was composed in Vikram Samvat 1292 during the reign of the Paramara king Jaitugideva at the Neminath temple in Nalakachhapura. Although described as disillusioned with worldly pleasures and a sufferer of sorrow, Ashadhara remained a householder and dedicated himself to the welfare of self and others. He served and promoted Jain religion and literature more than contemporary monks. He was the most erudite scholar of his time, and after him, a scholar of his caliber, at least as an author, is rare in the Digambara Jain tradition. Many monks, Bhattarakas, and even non-Jain scholars studied texts under him. He left behind a vast literature on various subjects, much of which remains unpublished, and many important works are still untraced, indicating a flawed system of preservation. Key untraced works include *Bharatabhyudaya Champu*, *Rajimati Vipralambha*, a commentary
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Conclusion
The document underscores the profound yet underappreciated legacy of Pandit Ashadhara, a 13th-14th century Jain polymath whose extensive works span grammar, poetry, medicine, and philosophy. Despite his unparalleled contributions—including the *Trishtis Smriti Shastra*, a concise chronicle of 63 great souls—much of his literary corpus remains unpublished or lost, revealing systemic neglect in preserving Jain heritage. The implications are clear: research institutions must prioritize locating and publishing his missing texts, such as the *Bharatabhyudaya Champu* and *Ashtangahridayodyotini*, to unlock insights into medieval Indian thought. This document calls for rigorous scholarly evaluation of his works, which rival even Vedic literature in depth, and urges a collective effort to restore his rightful place in intellectual history. Without such action, a vital thread of India’s pluralistic knowledge tradition risks permanent erasure.