अष्टपाहुडों का काव्यशास्त्रीय अध्ययन
By डॉ. उदयचन्द्र जैन
Summary
This PDF presents a poetic and literary study of the eight "Pahud" texts (Ashtapahud) by Acharya Kundakunda. These texts, composed in Prakrit verse, are considered gifts of doctrine that elucidate the nature of the soul and the path to liberation. The study analyzes the eight individual Pahuds: Darshanapahud, Suttapahud, Charitrapahud, Bohapahud, Bhavapahud, Mokshapahud, Lingapahud, and Silagunapahud. Each text focuses on a specific aspect of spiritual discipline, such as right faith, conduct, or knowledge, aiming to reveal the pure nature of the self. The primary meter used is the Gatha, with variations including Anushtup, Vipula, and Chapala. The text provides a detailed classification of Gatha types based on the number of guru (heavy) and laghu (light) syllables, listing twenty-seven varieties such as Lakshmi, Riddhi, and Buddhi. Examples from each Pahud are given to illustrate these metrical forms. The study also examines the aesthetic qualities of the poetry, identifying the dominant Shanta rasa (peaceful sentiment) while noting the presence of other rasas like Shringara (erotic), Hasya (comic), Karuna (pathetic), Raudra (furious), Bhayanaka (terrible), Vibhatsa (odious), Adbhuta (marvelous), and Vatsalya (affectionate). Furthermore, it discusses the use of literary figures (alankaras) such as Anuprasa (alliteration), Upama (simile), and Rupaka (metaphor), which arise naturally from the text's spiritual content. The analysis concludes that Acharya Kundakunda's poetry, through its rhythmic structure and profound meaning, guides the reader towards detachment, pure consciousness, and the ultimate goal of liberation.
Conclusion
The analysis of Ācārya Kundakunda's *Aṣṭapāhuḍa* reveals that these eight spiritual gifts are not merely doctrinal texts but sophisticated poetic compositions. The detailed examination of their metrical structures, including the 27 varieties of *Gāthā* and the use of *Anuṣṭup* and *Vipulā* meters, demonstrates a deliberate artistic design aimed at enhancing both aesthetic pleasure and spiritual efficacy. The presence of multiple *rasas*, particularly the dominant *Śānta rasa*, alongside *Śṛṅgāra*, *Hāsya*, and *Karuna*, shows that these works engage the full spectrum of human emotion to guide the reader toward detachment and self-realization. The natural integration of *alaṅkāras* like *anupraāsa* and *upamā* further enriches the text, making it a vehicle for profound philosophical insight. Ultimately, this