Divine sound;  Root language

Divya-dhvani refers to the special communication of a tīrthaṅkara after obtaining omniscience.

Divya-dhvani derives from √divya (meaning divine, heavenly, supernatural, wondrous, magical) and √dhvani (meaning sound, noise, echo, voice, tone, tune, thunder, allusion, hint). This divine sound is a distinct attribute of a tīrthaṅkara, or liberated Jain teacher, who has achieved kevala-jñāna, or omniscience, meaning the simultaneous perception of everything in the universe.

At the moment of omniscience, a tīrthaṅkara, also called a Jina or kevalin, who has overcome bodily and mental limitations and whose conduct in previous lives enables the gift of divine sound, obtains the miraculous power of divya-dhvani ([4], p. 260). The sound manifests artha, the full meaning of the Jina’s teaching, and is thought to be the origin of Jain canonical texts, or sūtras ([4], p. 42).

Śvetāmbara Jains assert that divya-dhvani is a primal sound related to Ardhamāgadhi, the definitive form of Prākrit in which many Jain scriptures are written ([7], p. 81). As a potential root language – or basis for numerous other languages – Ardhamāgadhi is the language of the tīrthaṅkaras. According to the Bhagavatī Sūtra, it is even spoken by heavenly devas ([2], p. 141). The Aupapātika Sūtra describes Mahāvīra addressing an audience of humans, gods, and animals, as well as Aryans and non-Aryans, in the Ardhamāgadhi language that transforms into the language of each individual listener ([2], p. 141).

Digambara Jains understand divya-dhvani as an unarticulated blend of all sounds, similar to Oṃ. Only the gaṇadharas, or disciples, of a tīrthaṅkara are able to understand it. Numerous Digambara views exist as to whether the sound comes from the mouth, is emanated from the body, or is constituted by syllables or not. In some views, it contains all the major and minor languages of India ([2], p. 141).

These differing interpretations reflect doctrinal variations between the two main sects of Jainism. Digambaras understand the Jina to be absolutely free from the 18 human imperfections such as movement, hunger, sleep, disease, communication, etc. ([3], p. 35). The Jina is free from all sense activity and its message cannot be expressed in language or action. Thus, divya-dhvani has been interpreted as a “sound” of silence, or rather the “sound of inaction” ([4], p. 188).

The Śvetāmbara tradition conceives of the kevalin as relatively human, eating and engaging in mundane bodily activities that in no way undermine omniscience ([3], pp. 36–39). The connection between divya-dhvani and Ardhamāgadhi must be understood in this context.

Divya-dhvani takes place within the samavasaraṇa, which describes both an event and a layered, circular architectural structure in which people, devas, and animals gather peacefully to hear the first speech of the tīrthaṅkara ([1], pp. 115–126). Artistic depictions often blend the Śvetāmbara and Digambara doctrines such that the Jina emanates a monolingual sound that is amplified for all five-sensed creatures to hear in their own language ([6], pp. 232–233). The message is believed to instruct a listener on one’s innate potential for right knowledge and inspire a renewed commitment to spiritual practices and nonviolence, even among animals.

 Deva

 Jina

 Samavasaraṇa (Jainism)

 Sūtra Piṭaka

 Tīrthaṅkara (Jainism)