Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi Vyaktitva Krutitva

This is a comprehensive summary of the Hindi book "Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi: Vyaktitva Krutitva" by Shaivya Jha, published by Anupam Prakashan in 1977. The book is a doctoral thesis submitted to Patna University, exploring the life, personality, and literary contributions of Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, a pivotal figure in Hindi literature.

Overall Scope:

The book aims to provide a detailed and holistic study of Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, going beyond mere mention of his ideas to encompass the historical and socio-cultural context of the Dwivedi era. It delves into his personality traits, his extensive literary output across various genres, his editorial prowess, and his significant role in shaping Hindi language and literature.

Key Sections and Themes:

1. Introduction (Bhumika):

   • Highlights Dwivedi's leadership in the early 20th century, marking a new classical and ethical era in Hindi literature.
   • Compares him to Bharatendu as a martyr for Hindi literature, emphasizing their dedication and foundational work.
   • Discusses Dwivedi's role in liberating Hindi poetry from Braj Bhasha, enriching its vocabulary, and adding flexibility.
   • Characterizes the era as a "male era" (purush-kaal) in terms of language and sentiment, with Dwivedi as an ideal author, guide, and editor.
   • Emphasizes the significance of the magazine 'Saraswati' under his editorship as the "queen of magazines" and "servant of readers."
   • Recounts anecdotes about the temptations Dwivedi faced to publish irrelevant content and his steadfast refusal.
   • Quotes Dwivedi's own words about his dedication to reader-centric and spiritually uplifting content.

2. Chapter 1: Background and Circumstances of the Dwivedi Era:

   • Introduction: Discusses the naming of literary eras after individuals who significantly influenced their time, like Dwivedi. It outlines the timeframe of the Dwivedi era (roughly 1900-1930) and its significance in Hindi literary history.
   • Political Circumstances: Details the political landscape of India in the early 20th century, including British rule, the aftermath of the 1857 revolt, Lord Curzon's policies, the partition of Bengal, the rise of nationalist movements (Congress, Tilak, Swaraj), and the impact of World War I.
   • Social Circumstances: Describes the social conditions, characterized by prevailing superstitions, illiteracy, and social evils like child marriage, casteism, and the plight of women. It also highlights the reform movements like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj that aimed to uplift society.
   • Economic Circumstances: Explains the economic exploitation by the British, leading to the decline of Indian industries and agriculture, and the impact of the World Wars on India's economy.
   • Cultural Circumstances: Discusses the cultural awakening, influenced by both Indian reform movements and Western ideas, leading to a resurgence of interest in Indian heritage and a desire for cultural identity.
   • Literary Background and its Reflection in the Dwivedi Era: Analyzes the transition from the late 19th century's ideological conflicts to the early 20th century's literary developments, setting the stage for Dwivedi's influence.

3. Chapter 2: Biography and Personality:

   • Biography: Traces Dwivedi's birth in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, his humble family background, his father Ram Sahai's military service and subsequent hardships, and his early education in Urdu and Sanskrit. It details his challenging schooling in English and Persian due to financial constraints, his early marriage, and his period of service in the railways, which exposed him to various responsibilities and broadened his understanding. It also mentions his resignation from the railway job and his subsequent commitment to 'Saraswati.' The chapter touches upon his personal life, including the loss of his wife and child, and his eventual quiet life in his village.
   • Personality: Provides a detailed account of Dwivedi's multifaceted personality, noting his imposing physical presence, his deep thoughtfulness, his simplicity in attire and living, and his profound influence on those around him. It highlights his integrity, fearlessness, forgiveness, emotional depth, wit, humility, sense of duty, punctuality, justice, organizational skills, appreciation for talent, frugality, generosity, and his unique blend of Brahmanical pride with a desire for social reform. It emphasizes his unwavering commitment to his principles and his intellectual honesty.

4. Chapter 3: Dwivedi Ji's Complete Literature:

   • This extensive chapter meticulously lists and describes Dwivedi's vast literary output.
   • Original Poetry: Lists his poetry collections like 'Devi Stuti Shatak', 'Vina Vinod', 'Manhina Stotra', 'Gangalahari', 'Sneh Mala', 'Vihar Vatika', 'Kavya Manjusha', 'Kavita Kalap', 'Kumara Sambhav Saar', 'Suman', and 'Amrita Lahari'.
   • Translated Poetry: Details his translations of works like 'Vairagya Shatak' (Vina Vinod), 'Gita Govinda' (Vihar Vatika), 'Shringar Shatak' (Sneh Mala), 'Ritu Samhar' (Ritu Tarangini), 'Ganga Lahari' (Ganga Lahari), 'Mahimna Stotra' (Shri Mahimna Stotram), and 'Kumara Sambhav Saar'.
   • Original Prose Books: Lists his numerous prose works, covering a wide range of topics including literary criticism ('Nishadh Charit Charcha', 'Hindi-Kalidas ki Samalochana', 'Kaalidasa ki Nirankushta', 'Naatya Shastra'), scientific topics ('Vigyan Varta'), economic principles ('Sampatti Shastra'), biographies ('Pracheen Kavi aur Pandit', 'Vanita Vilas'), cultural and historical essays ('Ateet Smriti', 'Vichitra Chitraan', 'Puravritt', 'Puraatattva Prasang', 'Ancient Signs'), and spiritual discussions ('Adhyatmiki').
   • Translated Prose Books: Lists his translations of works by authors like Francis Bacon ('Bacon Vichar-Ratnavali'), Herbert Spencer ('Shiksha'), and John Stuart Mill ('Swadhinata').
   • Works Edited by Others: Mentions 'Sanchayan' and 'Dwivedi Patravali' as compilations of his writings.
   • Unpublished Works: Briefly mentions works like 'Kautilya Kuthar', 'Sohag Rat', and 'Tarunopadesh'.

5. Chapter 4: Dwivedi Ji's Editing Skills and Language Reform:

   • 'Saraswati' as a High-Caliber Magazine: Highlights Dwivedi's transformative role in elevating 'Saraswati' from an ordinary publication to a prestigious literary platform.
   • Introduction of New Subjects: Discusses his initiative in bringing diverse and new subjects to Hindi readers, broadening the intellectual horizon of the magazine and its audience.
   • Nurturing a Circle of Writers: Emphasizes his remarkable ability to discover, encourage, and guide new literary talents, effectively creating a generation of Hindi writers.
   • Language Reform: Dedicates significant attention to Dwivedi's crucial role in standardizing Hindi language and grammar, purifying it from archaic Braj Bhasha influences and foreign borrowings, and establishing a clear, simple, and effective prose style. It details his meticulous approach to editing, his insistence on grammatical accuracy, and his tireless efforts to make Hindi a robust and versatile literary medium.

6. Chapter 5: Dwivedi Ji's Prose Style (Essays and Criticism):

   • Essay Writing: Analyzes his essayistic style, characterized by simplicity, clarity, extensive knowledge, and a pedagogical approach aimed at educating the masses. It categorizes his essays into descriptive, emotional, and analytical styles.
   • Criticism: Evaluates his critical approach, highlighting his fairness, fearlessness, and commitment to truth. It discusses his role as a pioneer of modern Hindi literary criticism, his engagement with both traditional Indian aesthetics and Western critical theories, and his analytical yet accessible style.
   • Dwivedi Ji and Chhayavaad (Modernism): Examines his critical views on the Chhayavaad movement, noting his skepticism towards its perceived obscurity and lack of clarity, while acknowledging his underlying appreciation for literary innovation.
   • Didactic Criticism: Focuses on the moralistic and instructive tone prevalent in many of his critical writings, reflecting his belief in the societal role of literature.

7. Chapter 6: Dwivedi Ji's Poetry and Other Literature:

   • Poetry: Critically assesses his poetry, acknowledging his pioneering work in establishing Khadi Boli in poetry and his thematic contributions, but also noting limitations in his poetic artistry and emotional depth. It discusses his translations and original poems, highlighting the moralistic and didactic undercurrents.
   • Translated Poetry: Elaborates on his significant contributions through translations, bringing classical Sanskrit literature to a wider Hindi readership.
   • Original Poetry: Discusses his original poems, often characterized by their moralistic themes and directness.
   • Narrative Literature: Briefly mentions his contributions to narrative forms through translations and essays that function as biographical accounts.
   • Drama: Notes his limited engagement with drama, primarily through a translation rather than original plays.
   • Biography: Highlights his biographical writings as important sources of information about various personalities.
   • Useful Literature: Discusses his efforts to introduce scientific, economic, and practical knowledge into Hindi through translations and original works, fulfilling a critical need for accessible information.
   • Other Works: Mentions his contributions in other areas like educational texts.

8. Research Conclusion (Shodh-Nishkarsh):

   • Reiterates Dwivedi's foundational role in shaping modern Hindi literature, language, and criticism.
   • Emphasizes his ability to navigate and synthesize diverse influences (Indian and Western) to create a distinct Hindi literary identity.
   • Concludes that his greatest contribution was not necessarily in the artistic merit of his individual creative works but in his role as a mentor, editor, and reformer who laid the groundwork for future generations of Hindi writers and scholars.

Overall Significance:

The book "Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi: Vyaktitva Krutitva" portrays Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi as a literary titan and a visionary who single-handedly steered Hindi literature into modernity. It highlights his immense contribution to language standardization, his role in diversifying literary themes, his critical acumen, and his talent for nurturing literary talent. The book underscores his position as a central figure of the Dwivedi era, shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of early 20th-century India through his extensive writings and his transformative editorship of 'Saraswati.'