Jinesvarasuri’s Gaharayanakosa
By V. M. Kulkarni
Summary
V. M. Kulkarni introduces the Gāhārayaṇakośa, a medieval Jain lexicon attributed to Jineśvarasūri. Surviving in a single manuscript, the work contains about 1,500 entries arranged thematically rather than alphabetically. Each entry lists a Prakrit or Sanskrit term with synonyms, definitions and illustrative verses drawn from Jain scriptures. The lexicon focuses on rare or technical vocabulary used in monastic discourse and includes vernacular Gujarati equivalents. Kulkarni compares the work with lexicons by Hemacandra and others but notes that its thematic arrangement and pedagogical aim make it unique. He argues for a critical edition to illuminate Jain educational practices.
Conclusion
The Gāhārayaṇakośa fills an important gap in Jain lexicography. Its thematic arrangement and inclusion of vernacular synonyms reveal how medieval teachers bridged Sanskrit, Prakrit and regional languages. A critical edition would shed light on monastic curricula and the transmission of technical vocabulary across generations.