सप्ततत्त्व
Summary
This PDF presents the text "Saptatattva" (Seven Principles), an anonymous 17th-century Apabhramsha composition with a Hindi translation by Ambalal Potyaka. The introduction emphasizes the importance of Apabhramsha as a mother language for modern Indian languages and notes the scarcity of published short works in this language. The manuscript was found in a bundle (number 253, size 26x11 cm) from a collection, with two copies on folios 17-19 and 32-34. The work aims to provide philosophical knowledge from a Jain perspective, explaining the seven tattvas (principles) essential for liberation. The text describes the nature of the soul (jiva) as eternal, conscious, and distinct from matter (ajiva). It explains that the soul suffers in samsara due to ignorance of this distinction. The liberated soul is described as pure, formless, beyond sensory qualities, and free from karma, residing at the top of the universe in eternal bliss. The text also discusses the nature of matter (pudgala), including its qualities like color, taste, smell, and touch, and explains how atoms combine. It describes the relationship between the soul and karma as beginningless, like gold and stone mixed together. The work concludes that one who understands these seven principles and practices self-realization can burn away karmas and attain liberation (Shivapuri). The text uses approximately 275 Apabhramsha words, with an index provided.
Conclusion
This document’s implications are significant for the study of Apabhramsha language and Jain philosophy. By presenting a concise, accessible text on the seven tattvas, it addresses a critical gap in available literature, offering a practical resource for scholars and students. The translation and commentary make complex philosophical concepts—such as the distinction between jiva and ajiva, the nature of karma, and the path to liberation—more approachable. Furthermore, the inclusion of a word index aids linguistic study, potentially revitalizing interest in Apabhramsha. The outcome is a dual contribution: it advances both philological research and spiritual understanding, providing a tool for deeper engagement with Jain doctrine and the historical development of Indian languages.