जयन्त भट्ट : दर्शन की साहित्यिक भूमिका

Summary

Jayanta Bhaṭṭa, a Kashmiri scholar of the ninth century, is renowned for his contributions to Nyāya philosophy, particularly through his work Nyāyamañjarī. This Hindi essay examines Jayanta’s role as both a philosopher and a literary stylist. It begins by situating him in the intellectual milieu of early medieval Kashmir, where debates among Buddhists, Mīmāṃsakas and Śaivas were vibrant. The essay summarises the thematic scope of the Nyāyamañjarī, which addresses issues ranging from the existence of God and the nature of perception to the problem of evil. It then analyses Jayanta’s writing style, noting his use of metaphor, narrative digressions and humour to engage readers. The author argues that Jayanta’s fusion of rigorous argumentation with literary embellishment reflects a conscious strategy to make philosophy accessible. By comparing him to contemporaries like Vācaspati Miśra, the paper highlights Jayanta’s originality in synthesising dialectics and aesthetics. The essay concludes by suggesting that Jayanta Bhaṭṭa should be appreciated not only for his philosophical insights but also for his contribution to Sanskrit prose literature.