पण्डित प्रभाचन्द्र
By श्री रमाकान्त जैन, पण्डित प्रभाचन्द्र
Summary
The text discusses the life and works of Pandit Prabhachandra, a Jain scholar from the 11th century. An inscription on a four-faced pillar at Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, dated to 1100 CE, praises him. The inscription states that the king of Dhara, Bhojaraja (reigned 1010-1053 CE), bowed at his feet. It credits him with composing *Prameyakamalamartanda* (a work on logic) and *Shabdambhojabhashkara* (a grammar text). Another inscription from 1163 CE on the same hill mentions Prabhachandra as a disciple of Padmanandi Siddhantika, who was a pupil of the monk Goacharya. The *Prameyakamalamartanda* was written as a commentary on *Parikshamukha* by Manikyanandi, whom Prabhachandra also revered as a guru. The text notes that this work was composed in the city of Dhara during Bhojaraja's reign. Prabhachandra's *Nyayakumudachandra* was written during the reign of Jayasimhadeva (1053-1060 CE), also in Dhara. He also wrote *Aradhana Satkatha Prabandha* during this period. Other works attributed to him include *Tattvarthavrittipada*, *Kriyakalapa Tika*, *Pachastikayapradeepa*, *Pravachanasara Sarojabhashkara*, *Ratnakaranda Shravakachara Tika*, *Samadhitantra Tika*, *Atmanushasana Tilaka*, and *Mahapurana Tippana*. The text suggests he was originally from South India but later moved to Dhara. He is described as a householder scholar, though he may have taken monastic vows later. His style influenced later writers like Abhayadevasuri and Vadidevasuri.
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Conclusion
This document establishes that Pandit Prabhachandra was a prolific Jain scholar active during the reigns of Bhojraj and Jaysinghdev of Dhara (11th century CE). His major works, including *Prameykamal-Martand* and *Nyaykumudchandra*, were composed in Dhara, demonstrating his deep engagement with logic, grammar, and philosophy. The analysis clarifies his lineage under Padmanandi Siddhantik and Manikyanandi, while also raising important questions about attributing other works to him due to multiple scholars sharing the name Prabhachandra. The findings underscore his lasting influence on later Jain thinkers like Abhaydevsuri and Vadidevsuri, and even on Acharya Hemchandra. Ultimately, this study resolves key aspects of his chronology and intellectual contributions, while highlighting the need for further research to distinguish his complete oeuvre from that of his namesakes.