Acharya Akalankadeva:
If Acharya Samantabhadra is considered the "grandfather" of Jain logic (Jain Nyaya), then Acharya Akalanka is rightly called its "father." He was an exceptionally brilliant logician, philosopher, prolific author, and a revolutionary thinker. He took the foundational definitions and concepts laid down by Samantabhadra and Siddhasena and developed them into a comprehensive system of Jain logic and epistemology (Jain Nyaya and Darshan).
Acharya Akalanka was a towering intellect and deeply versed in the philosophies of India. His personality was so influential that he is described as a maker of his era, a Yugpravartak Mahapurush (epoch-defining great man).
Praise in Inscriptions:
Several inscriptions at Shravanabelagola refer to Akalanka. Notably, inscription number 47 reads:
"ṣaṭtarkeṇākalankadevavibudhaḥ sākṣādayaṁ bhūtale"
(“In the six systems of Indian logic, Akalanka was the very embodiment of divine wisdom on Earth.”)
He is honored in stone inscriptions with numerous titles, such as:
- Tarkabhūvallabha (Beloved of logic)
- Samastavādikārīndra-darponmūlaka (Destroyer of the pride of all opposing debaters)
- Bauddha-buddhi-vaidhavya-dīkṣāguru (Teacher who made Buddhist philosophy intellectually barren)
- Syādvādakesarī (Lion of Syādvāda)
- Akalaṅkabhānu (Sun of flawless brilliance)
- Sakalatārkika-cakracūḍāmaṇi-marīci (Crest-jewel among all logicians)
Early Life and Legend:
- Akalanka was born in Manyakheta (present-day Malkhed, Karnataka), to minister Purushottama in the court of King Shubhatunga.
- He had a brother named Nikalanka. Both brothers took celibacy vows during the Ashtahnika Parva, a Jain festival, and never married, considering their vows lifelong.
- Akalanka was known for his sharp intellect:
- Akalanka: “Ekā-sandhi” – He could memorize by hearing just once.
- Nikalanka: “Dvi-sandhi” – He needed to hear something twice.
Encounter with Buddhism:
- Troubled by the attacks from Buddhist scholars on Jainism, Akalanka went undercover to study Buddhist scriptures in a Buddhist monastery.
- He corrected his teacher's flawed recitation once, which aroused suspicion.
- To test the students, the teacher asked everyone to step over a Jain image. Akalanka placed a thread over it and stepped over the thread, avoiding sin.
- One night, he was overheard chanting the Namokar Mantra, confirming he was Jain.
- Both brothers were imprisoned in an upper floor but escaped by jumping down.
- While fleeing, Nikalanka was caught and killed by soldiers along with another man.
- Akalanka survived by hiding in a pond and later moved to Kalinga (modern Odisha).
Debate with the Buddhist Scholar Tara Devi:
- In the city of Ratnasanchayapur, Queen Madansundari organized a Jain religious procession.
- To promote Jainism, Akalanka engaged in a debate with the Buddhist scholar Tara Devi, defeated her, and revived public faith in Jainism.
- His efforts brought widespread popularity to Jain principles.
Estimated Time Period:
Based on various scholars and literary evidence, Acharya Akalanka's life is dated between 720 CE to 780 CE, during the late 7th and early 8th century.
Major Works of Acharya Akalanka:
1. Laghīyastraya (Three Small Treatises)
- Composed of 3 concise texts:
- Pramāṇa-praveśa (Introduction to valid knowledge)
- Naya-praveśa (Introduction to viewpoints)
- Nikṣepa-praveśa (Introduction to logical positioning)
- Contains 78 main verses and includes a commentary (Vivṛtti).
- Divided into 6 chapters.
2. Nyāyavinischaya with Commentary (Savṛtti)
- Contains 480 verses in 3 sections:
- Perception (Pratyakṣa)
- Inference (Anumāna)
- Authoritative Testimony (Śabda or Pravacana)
- He also wrote a commentary (vṛtti or chūrṇi) on this work.
3. Siddhivinischaya
- A highly important treatise with 12 sections, focusing on:
- Pramāṇa (Means of knowledge)
- Naya (Standpoints)
- Nikshepa (Logical framework)
4. Pramāṇasaṅgraha with Commentary
- A dense work on the theory of knowledge and logic.
- Contains 9 sections and around 87.5 verses (ślokas).
- Includes a supplementary vṛtti (commentary).
- Published in the Akalanka Granthamala series.
Commentarial Works (Tīkā Granthas):
1. Tattvārthavārttika with Commentary
- Commentary on Tattvārthasūtra, the main Jain philosophical scripture.
- Divided into 10 chapters, just like the original.
- Uses both metrical and prose commentary.
- Unique in that it resolves all philosophical objections using the principle of Anekāntavāda (non-absolutism).
2. Aṣṭaśatī (Devaagama-vivṛtti)
- Commentary on Āptamīmāṁsā by Acharya Samantabhadra.
- Consists of 800 verses, hence named "Aṣṭaśatī" (meaning "Eight Hundred").
- Explains and expands on the foundational principles of Anekāntavāda and Jain logic.
Legacy and Contribution:
Acharya Akalanka:
- Systematized Jain logic during a time of intense philosophical conflict with Buddhists and other schools.
- Strengthened epistemology, debate, and doctrinal defense of Jain philosophy.
- Earned the title “Sun among logicians” and remains a cornerstone figure in Jain philosophical literature.