Adinath Vinti

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Adinath Vinti," based on the provided pages:

Overview of the Text:

"Adinath Vinti" is a devotional song or prayer addressed to Lord Adinath, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. The text highlights the author's deep devotion, acknowledging Adinath's supreme qualities and seeking his grace. The work appears to be a medieval Gujarati devotional piece, potentially dating back to the 15th century, and is presented as a significant contribution to the devotional literature of that era.

Content Breakdown:

Page 1: Editorial Introduction and Context

• Source and Preparation: The text is presented as a transcription of a rare manuscript from the knowledge repository of Jhaverchand Meghani Smarak Gurukul, prepared by Dr. Rasila Kadia. The manuscript's condition is described as excellent, with beautiful, small lettering, though not always easily readable. Significant time was invested in deciphering it.
• Acknowledgments: The editor expresses gratitude to Shri Lakshmanbhai and Prof. Ramanikbhai Shah for their guidance.
• Manuscript Description: The original manuscript comprises a single page with "Adinath Vinti" written in Gujarati. On the reverse side, another work in Prakrit with slightly larger letters is present. Both are considered complete. The manuscript has a central hole with square markings around it, but no letters within these markings.
• Dating and Authorship: The exact date of composition and the author's name are not explicitly stated. However, the author's name is inferred from the last line, possibly through a clever play on words (shlesh) with the epithet "Surendrasuri." Based on the language, writing style, and word usage (including Prakrit-Sanskrit words, hints of Apabhramsha, and colloquialisms), the composition is estimated to be from around the 15th century. The use of "न" (n) similar to in Narsinh Mehta's devotional songs is noted.
• Linguistic and Stylistic Features: The text is praised for its beautiful expression of emotions, particularly the earnest plea of a devoted heart and unwavering faith in Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath). The language is noted to be a blend of Prakrit and Sanskrit, with colloquial influences.
• Significance: "Adinath Vinti" is deemed a significant devotional poem that can stand among the best devotional works of the medieval Gujarati literary tradition. It is considered remarkable in terms of its script, language, and meaning.

Page 2: The Devotional Song - Stanzas 1-11

• Author (Attributed): Shri Surendrasuri (?)
• Opening Plea: The singer begins by addressing Lord Adinath, seeking his grace. They express their desire to be free from delusion and to cross the ocean of worldly existence.
• Past Actions and Karma: The author reflects on past lives, stating how they have accumulated karma and removed it with effort.
• Suffering and Dependence: The singer laments the suffering of souls trapped in the cycle of birth and death, acknowledging their own weakness and dependence on the Lord for guidance.
• Awakening and Realization: Awakening from the sleep of delusion, the author's mind becomes focused on the ultimate truth. They see the Lord, Shatrunjay Tirthanath (Adinath), as their divine vision.
• Seeking Deliverance from Karma and Hardship: The author implores Adinath to casually remove the consequences of karma and to swiftly release them from the grip of poverty. They ask the Lord to prevent any future shortcomings or imperfections.
• Worldly Experiences and Disillusionment: The author recounts experiences of being served by kings, witnessing vast lands, engaging in debates over wealth, and seeing people abandon righteousness due to greed. They have also performed many difficult acts and rituals, but these have not brought true well-being.
• Regret and Unfulfilled Desires: The author expresses regret for not having attained good fortune or having the physical form suitable for the Lord's contemplation. They question the purpose of their existence if their desires remain unfulfilled.
• Adinath as the Ultimate Wish-Fulfiller: The text then extols Adinath as the "Chintamani" (wish-fulfilling gem) and "Kamadhenu" (wish-fulfilling cow), and an incomparable entity that fulfills all desires. The author questions the need for other deities when Adinath alone provides such blessings.
• Comparison with Other Deities: The author compares Adinath to other deities like "Damodar" (Vishnu) and "Shoolpani" (Shiva), and also mentions deities associated with rituals and those who cause suffering. They contrast Adinath's liberating nature with the destructive or entrapping qualities attributed to others.
• Adinath's Uniqueness: The author declares Adinath as unique, a protector, and the only one without a peer in the three worlds. They express their current observation and understanding of the Lord's greatness.

Page 3: The Devotional Song - Stanzas 12-19 and Conclusion

• Adinath's Transcendent Nature: Adinath is described as a supreme being, formless ("alakh"), the universal controller, and one who desires the singer's devotion. He is the root of the tree of Dharma and the revealer of all scriptures.
• Contrast in Destiny: The author laments their own suffering and hardship on Earth, while Adinath enjoys eternal bliss. They acknowledge that Adinath is mindful of these disparities.
• Adinath's Serene and Omniscient Nature: Adinath's form is described as beautiful and detached from worldly desires. He is omniscient and eternally wise, superior to all.
• Crossing the Ocean of Samsara: The author recognizes Adinath as the one who helps cross the ocean of worldly existence and bows to him as the "Jagannath" (Lord of the Universe).
• Singular Devotion: The author confesses that they have not recognized any other god or goddess and have dedicated themselves solely to Adinath's name.
• Praise for the Land and People: The land and its inhabitants are praised for their virtue and good lineage. The emergence of Adinath is seen as a noble event, and people who worship him are described as uttering noble words.
• Benefits of Devotion: Those who worship Adinath daily, the root of Dharma, quickly attain the ocean of happiness.
• Seeking Liberation: With this understanding, the author has turned to Adinath's name to escape the prison of worldly existence. They pray for their release and to be united with liberation.
• Adinath's Compassion: The author asks Adinath to provide support to their weakened state and assures him of continued service.
• Renunciation of Worldly Desires: The author states that they do not desire kingdoms, heavenly abode, or worldly respect.
• Author's Identity (Hinted): The final stanza mentions "Swami Surendrasuri," possibly revealing the author's name or a spiritual lineage.
• Concluding Title: The text ends with the title "Shri Adinath Vinti."

Page 4-6: Glossary of Difficult Words

These pages provide a glossary of Gujarati words found in the text, with their meanings and stanza references. This indicates the text's scholarly treatment and its aim to make the devotional work accessible to readers. Examples of glossed words include:

• "हउं" (hu) - I
• "मेलविउ" (melvi-u) - obtained, gathered
• "कीयउ" (kiya-u) - did, made
• "तव" (tav) - then, yours
• "जिवीनउ" (jivina-u) - for the sake of living beings
• "केडउ" (ked-u) - how
• "सारि" (sari) - essence, purpose
• "जोयउ" (joy-u) - saw
• "सधाडि" (sadhadi) - with force, with great effort
• "हाकि" (haki) - remove, drive away
• "हेला" (hela) - playfully, easily
• "वारि न सील खोडि" (vari na shil khodi) - do not destroy (my) good qualities, do not create deficiency.
• "व्यतीत" (vyatit) - past, beyond
• "कल्पु निमोपमानु" (kalpu nimopamanu) - an example like the Kalpa tree (wish-fulfilling tree)
• "मन सौख्य" (man saukhya) - happiness of the mind
• "पीहरु" (piharu) - paternal home (often used to mean father's side or ancestral place)
• "भावइ" (bhavai) - suits, pleases
• "राखि हाणि" (rakhi hani) - to prevent loss
• "आखंडलु" (akhandlu) - Indra, king of gods
• "आलमालु" (aalmalu) - pillar, support
• "जिंदक्षु" (jindakshu) - desirous of seeing
• "रीणउ" (reenu) - suffering, pain
• "सचिंत" (sachint) - thoughtful, possessing understanding
• "अपिलउ" (apilau) - superior, higher
• "वीवी" (vivi) - wave, ripple (here used in the context of thought or a strong desire)
• "नीकी" (niki) - good, fine
• "गुणन्यु" (gunanyu) - appreciative of virtues
• "जीबु" (jibu) - soul, living being
• "सुद्दीसु" (suddisu) - likely referring to a good land or region.
• "ऊतरु" (utaru) - answer, reply
• "चेता" (cheta) - consciousness, awareness

In essence, "Adinath Vinti" is a fervent prayer to Lord Adinath, expressing the author's deep faith, their recognition of the Lord's supreme, liberating qualities, and their desire for spiritual liberation from worldly suffering, all conveyed through eloquent and devotional Gujarati poetry.