Abhidhana Chintamani

Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi (literally “The Jeweled Treasure of Words”) is a celebrated Sanskrit thesaurus or lexicon, composed by the eminent Jain scholar Hemachandra Acharya in the 12th century CE. It is one of the most important works in the field of Sanskrit lexicography, comparable in stature to the Amarakosha of Amarasimha. The text reflects the intellectual depth of Jain scholastic traditions and their contribution to Sanskrit grammar, literature, and linguistics.

Author: Hemachandra Acharya

Acharya Hemachandra (1089–1172 CE) was one of the most distinguished Jain polymaths of medieval India. Born in Dhandhuka (in present-day Gujarat), he was patronised by King Kumarapala of the Solanki dynasty. Hemachandra was a scholar of vast learning, having written extensively on grammar, prosody, poetics, philosophy, and lexicography.
His major works include:

• Siddha-Hema-Śabdanuśāsana (a Sanskrit grammar)
• Deshināmamālā (a Prakrit lexicon)
• Trishashti-Shalaka-Purusha-Charitra (a Jain epic biography)
• Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi (a lexicon of Sanskrit words)

Hemachandra’s linguistic works aimed to harmonise Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha, promoting a unified understanding of Indian linguistic traditions.

Nature and Structure of the Text

The Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi is a systematic dictionary of Sanskrit synonyms, written in metrical form to aid memorisation by scholars and students.
Structure:

• The work is divided into six cantos (kāṇḍas).
• It contains approximately 28,000 words arranged thematically rather than alphabetically.
• Each section groups words according to subjects—such as deities, animals, plants, celestial objects, geographical names, emotions, and actions.

This thematic organisation makes the text not only a linguistic resource but also a cultural encyclopedia, reflecting the worldview, beliefs, and knowledge systems of medieval India.

Purpose and Significance

The Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi was intended to serve as:

1. A Lexicon: Providing synonyms, homonyms, and derivations for Sanskrit words.
2. A Tool for Poets and Scholars: Assisting in the composition of poetry and literature by offering a rich vocabulary, essential for kāvya (classical Sanskrit poetry).
3. An Educational Text: Designed for students learning Sanskrit grammar, semantics, and poetics.
4. A Cultural Compendium: Reflecting Jain ethical and cosmological ideas within the broader Sanskritic tradition.

Literary and Linguistic Features

• Versified Style: The entire lexicon is composed in metrical form (śloka meter), making it easier for memorisation and recitation.
• Thematic Arrangement: Unlike modern dictionaries, words are grouped based on their meaning or domain, similar to the Amarakosha.
• Synonym Richness: Each concept or object is described using multiple synonyms, often reflecting regional, literary, or scriptural variations.
• Precision and Clarity: Hemachandra demonstrates remarkable accuracy in distinguishing subtle differences between similar terms.
• Influence of Jain Thought: The work integrates Jain ethical and cosmological ideas, presenting a non-sectarian but inclusive view of Sanskrit vocabulary.

Comparison with the Amarakosha

The Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi is often compared with the Amarakosha by Amarasimha, an earlier and widely used Sanskrit thesaurus.

While both works share the same purpose—organising Sanskrit vocabulary into thematic categories—Hemachandra’s text exhibits greater comprehensiveness and philosophical depth, reflecting the evolution of lexicography over centuries.

Influence and Legacy

The Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi became one of the most authoritative lexicons in medieval India, studied by scholars across Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions.
Impact areas include:

• Lexicography: It influenced later Sanskrit dictionaries and commentaries.
• Education: Used in monastic and royal schools for training poets and grammarians.
• Literary Tradition: Its vocabulary enriched the works of medieval Sanskrit poets and dramatists.
• Cross-Linguistic Studies: It inspired lexicons in Prakrit and Apabhramsha, helping to preserve linguistic diversity.

Several commentaries were later written on the Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi, expanding its interpretive and philological value.

Manuscripts and Editions

Numerous manuscripts of the Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi exist in Indian and international collections. The text has been edited and printed multiple times since the 19th century. Early printed editions appeared under the auspices of the Bombay Sanskrit Series and later by Jain publishers.
Critical editions have compared different manuscript traditions, revealing minor variations across Jain scholastic centres in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Cultural and Philosophical Context

The Abhidhāna Chintāmaṇi embodies the Jain intellectual spirit—systematic organisation, respect for learning, and commitment to linguistic precision. Its non-sectarian content shows the Jain community’s engagement with pan-Indian literary culture.
The work also reflects:

• The synthesis of religious and linguistic scholarship in medieval India.
• The role of Jain monks as custodians of knowledge and contributors to Indian intellectual history.
• The cultural exchange between Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions through the shared medium of Sanskrit.