Acharya Hastimalji Ki Kavya Sadhna - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Acharya Hastimalji ki Kavya Sadhna":

This book, "Acharya Hastimalji ki Kavya Sadhna" by Narendra Bhanavat, published by Z_Jinvani_Acharya_Hastimalji_Vyaktitva_evam_Krutitva_Visheshank_003843.pdf, explores the poetic endeavors of Acharya Shri Hastimalji Maharaj. Acharya Hastimalji was a distinguished scholar, meditator, dedicated practitioner, and a profound admirer of "Jinavani" (Jain scriptures), making him a sensitive literary figure.

Early Life and Influences:

Acharya Hastimalji was born into a family with deep religious and spiritual traditions. His father passed away due to the plague while he was still in his mother's womb, and his mother raised him with great patience and devotion. His childhood was marked by the devastating effects of the plague and severe famines, leading to widespread suffering and helplessness. Society was plagued by harmful practices like child marriage, death feasts, the veil system, superstitions, caste discrimination, and untouchability, with women in a particularly pitiable state. The populace also suffered under the triple oppression of British rule, princely states, and feudal landlords. These harsh circumstances deeply influenced the young Hasti's subconscious mind. Despite these adversies, he cultivated a personality characterized by compassion, kindness, love, and sacrifice, alongside courage, strength, and valor.

Spiritual Journey and Poetic Lineage:

Influenced by contact with saints and his mother's religious teachings, Hasti developed a strong sense of detachment (vairagya) and embarked on the path of sainthood with his mother at the tender age of ten. He received Jain Diksha (initiation) under Acharya Shobhachandji Maharaj. This tradition within Jainism, specifically the Sthanakvasi sect, has a strong lineage of poetic creativity. The text traces this lineage from Acharya Kushalji, his guru-brother Acharya Jaymalji (a high-caliber poet), Acharya Gumanmalji, Acharya Ratanmalji (founder of the Ratanachandra Sampradaya and an excellent poet), Acharya Hamirmalji, Acharya Kajodimmalji, and Acharya Vinayachandji Maharaj (a distinguished poet whose works are preserved). Acharya Hastimalji received initiation from Acharya Shobhachandji Maharaj, a saintly figure known for service, simplicity, and forgiveness. This spiritual lineage emphasized not only rigorous spiritual practice but also literary creation. Acharya Hastimalji enriched and strengthened the Ratanachandra Sampradaya's legacy through his literary and poetic contributions.

A Multifaceted Literary Genius:

Acharya Hastimalji possessed a multidimensional talent, being an exponent of Jain Agamas (scriptures), a profound thinker, and a litterateur. He fostered a deep awareness of scriptural knowledge in society, emphasizing that rituals without knowledge are not fruitful. He believed that actions become potent only when illuminated by the "eye of knowledge." By organizing study groups and establishing knowledge repositories, he ignited a public awakening for knowledge and, through his own literary pursuits, significantly enriched literature, contributing historically to the "Bhandar" (storehouse) of Mother India.

Four Pillars of His Literary Sadhana:

His literary endeavors are categorized into four main dimensions:

Agamic Interpretation Literature: This involves commentary and explanation of Jain scriptures.
Jain Religious History Literature: Works focusing on the history of Jainism.
Discourse Literature: Transcriptions or writings of his sermons and teachings.
Poetry Literature: His poetic compositions. The book focuses primarily on his poetry.

Characteristics of His Poetry:

Acharya Hastimalji was a brilliant scholar in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Rajasthani, and Hindi, well-versed in Agamas, logic, religion, philosophy, grammar, literature, and history. He was also a profound thinker. His poetry stemmed from this deep knowledge and contemplation, yet it remained accessible, understandable, and clear, never burdened by excessive scholasticism. His aim was not to showcase his erudition but to convey the life values embedded in the Agamas to the common people and to familiarize them with Jain cultural and historical traditions. His poetry is infused with a spirit of universal welfare, self-awakening, and moral upliftment.

Categorization of His Poetic Works:

His poetry can be broadly divided into four categories:

Devotional Poetry (Stuti Kavya): Despite his profound scholarship and esteemed position as an Acharya, he remained remarkably simple, humble, and affectionate. His ability to synthesize knowledge and devotion, power and affection, and scriptural service with a spirit of surrender is rarely seen. In his devotional poetry, he expresses his unadulterated dedication to his revered deity, the Vitaraga Prabhu (the Victor of passions). He offers prayers to Bhagwan Rishabhdev, Shantinath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir Swami, dedicating himself to their virtues. His prayers for Shantinath express a universal desire for peace, not just for himself: "Inner peace, outer peace, peace in you, peace in me. Let peace reside in everyone, everyone say peace together." His devotion to Bhagwan Mahavir is evident in his wish to constantly chant the name of this luminous conqueror and to be guided from negativity to positivity: "I am a servant of the Lord's feet, seeking a dwelling of good intellect. 'Hasti' always bows to Lord Mahavir."

He also expresses immense reverence for his Guru, recognizing the Guru's transformative power: "The Guru is like a craftsman in the world; whoever follows his words becomes like a statue from stone, gaining glory. Great happiness comes to those who increase their love for the Guru's words." He defines a true Guru as one who has severed worldly attachments, devoted to divine meditation, renounced anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and is filled with the essence of forgiveness. Serving such a Guru, he believes, is the way to break free from karmic bondage. He considers the Guru to be the greatest benefactor and support in the world. His poetry elevates the Guru to a divine status, akin to God himself, as seen in the Kabeer tradition where the Guru is considered even greater than God, being the means to know God. In his prayers to the Guru, he seeks inner peace and strength: "Lord Guru Maharaj, grant me this boon. Fill my every vein with the nectar of peace."

His devotional poetry also pays homage to past Acharyas in his tradition, such as Acharya Bhudharji, Acharya Kushalji, Acharya Ratanachandji, and Acharya Shobhachandji. He praises their exemplary lives and inspiring incidents, wishing for their virtues to be manifested in his own life. He also emphasizes the importance of chanting the Guru's name: "Chant the name of the revered Shri Kushal, all sorrow and suffering will vanish." "Sing the glory of the jewel-like monk, the successor of the Kushal lineage." "Remember Muni Shobhachandra, the one who illuminated the Jain Dharma."
Didactic Poetry (Upadesh Kavya): The primary goal of Jain saints is to inspire self-welfare and global welfare. They aim to guide individuals towards pure, virtuous, authentic, and ethical lives, fostering equality, brotherhood, peace, and mutual cooperation and tolerance in society. Jain saints travel from village to village, delivering sermons and discourses that blend scriptural knowledge with practical experience. To effectively convey their messages, they present them in simple, lucid, and engaging language, often employing poetry and music to evoke emotions and connect with the audience's hearts. This has led to an unbroken tradition of Jain devotional poetry. Acharya Hastimalji's didactic poetry follows this spirit.

His didactic poetry has three key dimensions:
- Self-Awareness (Atm-bodh): He emphasized awakening dormant inner potential through continuous practice and literary creation. Recognizing the rarity of human life, he repeatedly urged people to understand and recognize their true self: "Understand your true form as a conscious being; do not lose this opportunity. Your form is of knowledge and perception, not of flesh and bone. Erase ignorance, let your heart be illuminated." He stressed the distinction between the body and the soul, noting that physical parts and senses are transient, while the animating force is eternal and indestructible: "You are not hands, feet, or head, not neck, arms, or abdomen. You are not the eyes or other senses, but the director of all. You are not earth, water, or fire, not sky or air. You are not mind, speech, or intellect, but the connector of all."
When the outward-focused self turns inward, the notions of beauty and ugliness, black and white, tall and short disappear. Consciousness transcends sensory pleasures and pains. In this state, there is no sickness or sorrow. Rising above attachment and aversion leads to the experience of transcendental bliss. In such moments, Acharya Hastimalji's poetic heart sings: "I am the king of that city where there is no shadow or sunlight. Where the celestial bodies do not move, and the sun does not reach. The luminous light always burns, this world seems like a well. Our dwelling is in the city of faith, an unparalleled treasure of consciousness. I forget myself in unhindered joy, as the form of conscious bliss. I am not one to be subdued by anyone; sickness is not my form. 'Gajendra' recognizes his own self, he is the king of kings."

In this state, the soul is filled with infinite light, free from desires. The realization of the distinction between body and soul severs the bonds of worldly existence. Touched by supreme consciousness, the poet sings: "Light has filled my inner being, I have no desire for anyone now. Sickness and sorrow do not trouble me even slightly. I am always peaceful, my form is steadfast. When the knot of attachment and delusion is untied, knowledge dawns. 'Gajendra' beholds the imperishable form, then desires no one." This self-awareness is achieved through the practice of dharma like non-violence, self-control, and austerity.
- Social Awareness (Samaj-bodh): Alongside self-awareness, Acharya Hastimalji's poetic heart was also dedicated to social consciousness. He considered the commitment to vows and moral principles essential for building a healthy society. He calls for awakening: "Awake, O my spiritual brother!" For him, an awakened society is not characterized by material prosperity or wealth. Instead, it is a society with an interest in scriptural study and an awareness of right knowledge. In his "Swadhyay Sandesh" (Message of Self-Study), he urged: "Recite the words of the scriptures, O virtuous people, to cleanse the impurities of the mind. Without self-study, knowledge will not come, nor will the light be kindled. The knot of attachment and aversion will not loosen, to attain enlightenment." He repeatedly exhorted: "Study, study!" because "Without self-study, the home is empty, the mind is empty without true knowledge." He proclaimed that to end suffering, one must dispel the darkness of ignorance, and this is achievable only through self-study.
He believed that the ultimate goal of life and society is happiness and peace, which are unattainable without equanimity. To achieve equanimity, he emphasized the practice of Samayika (meditation). His inspirational line is: "If you wish to elevate your life, practice Samayika." The practice of Samayika is the consumption of the nectar of equanimity, which eradicates inequality and fosters equanimity in life's interactions. He was a proponent of social and national unity, viewing the relationship between the individual and society as that of the limb and the body: "Consider each individual as a limb; the body-society is beneficial. 'Gajmuni' says, let everyone strive for the welfare of all, so that suffering and poverty are eliminated." For the creation of an ideal society, he considered values like humility, friendship, service, benevolence, chastity, tolerance, and discipline essential. If each person diligently practices the six duties—devotion to God, service to the Guru, self-study, self-control, austerity, and charity—with honesty and discernment, they can not only elevate their own lives but also build an ideal society.

He placed special importance on women's education for social upliftment. He inspired women to not get entangled in worldly attractions and adornments but to decorate their bodies with chastity and self-control: "Chastity and self-control are the glory that adorns your body. Not gold, silver, or mines are worshipped like this." "Embrace simplicity and good conduct, adorn yourself with knowledge, meditation, and austerity. Consider helping others as the true adornment, understanding its essence."
- Festival Awareness (Parv-bodh): Acharya Hastimalji imbued social rituals, festivals, and fairs with a spiritual essence. He described Raksha Bandhan as a festival inspiring protection for all living beings: "Tie, tie with the thread of care, protection will be achieved." Diwali, the day of Bhagwan Mahavir's Nirvana, is a festival of wisdom and light, signifying a transition from darkness to light. He inspired people to live lives like lamps, burning for the welfare of others: "Like a lamp, life burns, becoming valuable in the world. The lives of the virtuous burn for the good of others, beautifully." Holi is a festival for burning away vices: "Ignite the lamp of knowledge and meditation, burn away bad deeds. Disperse the dust of selfishness, increase love. Establish the pure, rosy color of national dharma." Janmashtami carries the message of increasing love for animals, adopting simplicity in life, and confronting injustice and oppression with righteousness. In his words: "Krishna Kanhaiya is born today, to remove the burden of India. To increase the honor of the virtuous, to reduce the sin of violence."
Sheetla Saptami and Akshaya Tritiya hold great significance in folk life. He viewed Sheetla Mata as the mother of compassion: "We worship you, our compassionate mother, Goddess Sheetla." Akshaya Tritiya is an inspiring festival of enduring good deeds. This is the day when the year-long fasts (Varshitap) are broken. Inspiring the practice of chanting, austerity, charity, and self-improvement, he stated: "Akshaya Tritiya is the cause of growth; thus, contemplate the feelings. In the fragmented state of chanting and austerity, there is no salvation."

Chaturmas and Paryushana are festivals of special importance in Jain tradition. During the monsoon, sadhus and sadhvis remain stationary in one place to promote the protection of life and the practice of self-control. Inspiring religious deeds during this period, Acharya Hastimalji said: "Take care of living beings. Perform religious deeds during this monsoon. Understand compassion as the root of dharma, and drink the nectar of equanimity." Paryushana is considered the king of festivals. Through the worship of knowledge, perception, conduct, and austerity, one stabilizes in their true nature. By confessing past sins and seeking forgiveness, one purifies the self. By reducing worldly desires and passions, one cultivates virtues. During moments of spiritual elation, Acharya Hastimalji's poetic heart sings: "This festival of Paryushana has arrived, bringing joy to the whole world. Exhaust your karma through austerity and chanting, gain the fruits of charity by giving. Joy is found by renouncing attachment. Unite your mind with equanimity, break the bond of attachment. This is the essence of knowledge, my brother."

Thus, Acharya Hastimalji's poetic discourses, aimed at awakening self-awareness, social consciousness, and festival awareness, are deeply touching and inspiring.
Biographical Poetry (Charitra Kavya): There is a rich tradition of creating biographical poetry. Works like the Ramayana and Mahabharata have served as foundational texts for various biographical epics. In Jain literature, an extensive body of biographical poetry has been composed based on the lives of the sixty-three illustrious persons (Trishashthi Shalaka Purush). This tradition of conveying philosophical knowledge to the masses through narratives continues to this day. Narratives take various forms, such as religious, mythological, historical, and secular. The biographical poems composed by Acharya Hastimalji are based on historical and religious-Agamic foundations.

He considered history to be highly inspiring for the present generation, likening it to a lamp that guides the lost: "The life stories of epoch-making saints bow the heads of their followers. Ignorant and blinded by attachment, people forget their own virtues. Religious narratives awaken the minds of people. Listen attentively to the truthful and beneficial stories." Indeed, in his "Jain Acharya Charitavali," he documented the history of Jain Acharyas from Sudharma, the chief disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir, to the present day, in 210 verses. This work does not focus on a single Acharya's life but presents glimpses into the lives of prominent Jain Acharyas after Bhagwan Mahavir. At the end of this work, he reflected on dharma and sampradaya (sect), comparing their relationship to that of the soul and the body. A sect is necessary to uphold dharma. A sect that harms dharma is not a sect but rather an illusion due to its destructive nature. Just as clothes gather dirt if not maintained, so too can attachment and aversion grow in a sect if purification and contemplation are absent. However, just as soiled clothes are cleaned rather than discarded, it is beneficial to continuously purify the impurities that arise within a sect. "Dharma is the soul, sampradaya is the body. That which harms dharma is Maya. Dirt accumulates on clothes if not maintained; similarly, attachments and the like pervade the sampradaya. Remove disputes; the sampradaya will be beneficial."

He emphasized the need to abandon attachment and become devotees of virtues: "Abandon attachment in your vision, become devoted to virtues." Acharya Hastimalji transformed the seemingly dry subject of history into something engaging by setting it to various melodies and tunes like Radheshyam, Lavani, and Khyal. By bringing cultural and religious traditions to life on a poetic platform, this "Charitavali" has successfully reached the masses. The refrain "This is the glory of the Jin tradition, great in the world; taking refuge in it, countless men and women are saved" continuously resonates in the hearts of the listeners. It was composed in the year 2026 in the village of Deh (Nagaur).

He also composed several biographical poems based on the inspiring characters from "Uttaradhyayana" and "Antagada Sutra," such as the story of the Brahmin priest, King Nimi the enlightened, Jambu Kumar, Mamman Seth, Dhandhan Muni, Seth Vijaya, Sethani Vijaya, Jayghosh Vijayghosh, King Udayan, and others. These biographical poems are set to various tunes and melodies. Their main message is to move from attachment to detachment, from altered states to one's natural state, and to practice sensory control, self-discipline, equanimity, peace, and detachment.
Verse Translation (Padyanuvad): Acharya Hastimalji was an Agama-rooted scholar, orator, poet, and litterateur. He consistently endeavored to steer society towards scriptural study and self-study, fostering interest in the study and teaching of Prakrit and Sanskrit. With this objective, while editing Agamic texts like "Uttaradhyayana" and "Dashavaikalika," which inspire self-motivation, he also presented their verse translations in simple, lucid language. This enabled the general populace to easily grasp the sentiments embedded in the Agamic narratives. The verse translations done by Pandit Shrikant Shastri under his guidance are simple, clear, and comprehensible. He also undertook a verse translation of "Tattvartha Sutra," which remains unpublished.

The Essence of His Poetry:

Acharya Hastimalji's poetic persona is simple and unpretentious, not weighed down by profound scholarship. His language is simple, and his metaphors are drawn from everyday life. The purpose of his poetry is to dispel the darkness of ignorance in life, usher in the light of knowledge, replace inertia with consciousness, quell agitation, and awaken sensitivity. In his poem "Sachi Seekh" (True Lesson), he clearly states that hands that do not give charity are useless; ears that do not listen to scriptures are futile; eyes that do not behold the sight of munis are meaningless; feet that do not reach places of dharma are without justification; and a tongue that cannot glorify the virtues of Jin is without purpose.

"Hands without charity are fruitless, ears without listening to scriptures are vain. Eyes that do not see munis are meaningless, they gaze upon others' bodies. Feet that cannot reach the abode of dharma are without justification. All these limbs in the world are dependent on good company. Eating delicious food and spoiling it, spoiling words with speech. That tongue is wasted which did not sing the glories of Jin."

Acharya Hastimalji dedicated his life with full devotion to the worship of knowledge, philosophy, conduct, and charity, chastity, austerity, and pure feelings, thus making it meaningful. He attained death with a serene meditative state (Santhara), transforming death into a joyous festival, truly embodying the sentiments expressed in his poem "Sankalp":

"Bowing at the feet of the Gurudev, I enter the new year. By practicing peace and self-control, I shall attain a steady mind and meditation. With the auspicious means of body, mind, and senses, I shall achieve desired results at every step. Becoming stable in the feeling of oneness, I shall remove faults like attachment and aversion. May my mind be in meditation, and may I wander with my family in peace. I shall dedicate my remaining moments for the cause of the teachings, making my life successful. I shall remain distant from slander and gossip, naturally dwelling in my own virtues. Gurudev, grant me that strength, so that I may cross the ocean of existence. May I cultivate love for peace and self-control, and remain devoted to Jin's commands. Remove love for the virtues of others, 'Gajmuni' thus holds the inner feeling."

In conclusion, it can be said that he did not limit poetry to thought but translated it into action. This is his greatness.