Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshika Sah Swo Vivaran - Book Summary

The provided text is a detailed table of contents and introductory material for the Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshika Sah Swo Vivaran, authored by Mahopadhyaya Yashovijay Upadhyay and edited by Muni Punyavijay. Published by the Shri Jain Atmanand Sabha in Bhavnagar in VS 2454 (AD 1918/1919), it is the 79th gem in their Jain Grantha Ratnamala series.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

1. Title and Authorship:

Book Title: Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshika Sah Swo Vivaran (ऐन्द्रस्तुतिचतुर्विंशतिका सस्वोपज्ञविवरणयुता).
Author: Mahopadhyaya Shri Yashovijay Upadhyay (महोपाध्याय श्रीयशोविजयोपाध्याय).
Commentary Author (Swo Vivaran): Yashovijay Upadhyay himself, as indicated by "स्वोपज्ञविवरणयुता" (with his own commentary).
Editor: Muni Punyavijay (मुनिपुण्यविजयः).

2. Publisher and Publication Details:

Publisher: Shri Jain Atmanand Sabha (श्रीजैन-आत्मानन्दसभा), Bhavnagar.
Publication Year: Vikram Samvat 2454 (आत्मसंवत् 33), corresponding to AD 1849/1984 (Vikram Samvat) and 1849 Saka year (शाकाब्दः). (Note: There's a slight discrepancy in the publication year between Vikram Samvat 1984 and 2454, but 2454 seems to be the primary reference for this publication. The text also mentions 1984 Vikram Samvat and 1849 Saka, indicating the original work might be older or there are referencing variations.)
Assisted by: Gianchandas, son of Shreshthi Garabaddas residing in Chhani village (छाणिग्रामवास्तव्य - श्रेष्ठिगरबडदासतनूजनगीनदासस्य किश्चिदूनद्रव्य साहाय्येन).
Price: Four Annas (मूल्यम् - चत्वार आणकाः).
Printing: Ramchandra Yesa Shedge at the Nirnaya Sagar Press, Bombay.

3. Preface (Prastavana):

Purpose: The preface introduces the Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshika with its self-commentary. It highlights the author, Yashovijay Upadhyay, as a renowned scholar in logic and metaphysics ("न्यायविशारद न्यायाचार्य").
Context of Chaturvinshatikas: The preface discusses the genre of Chaturvinshatikas (collections of 24 stanzas, often a stuti or eulogy). It notes that among the Chaturvinshatikas available, the one by Acharya Bappabhatti is the earliest, and Yashovijay Upadhyay's is the latest.
List of Known Chaturvinshatikas: The preface provides a list of notable Chaturvinshatikas authored by various Jain scholars, including:
1. Acharya Bappabhatti (printed) - 96 stanzas, with yamaka (rhyme) embellishments.
2. Shobhanamuni (possibly incomplete, 27-39 stanzas)
3. Meru vijayagani
4. Yashovijayopadhyaya (the current work)
5. An unknown author (27-39 stanzas)
- It also mentions a Chaturvinshatika by Kalyansagar Suri, but it's not in yamaka style.
Structure of Chaturvinshatikas: Each Chaturvinshatika typically contains 24 verses praising a specific Tirthankara. Additionally, there are three concluding verses praising all Jinas, knowledge, and guardian deities. Some collections have more than 24 verses due to the inclusion of auspicious beginnings or colophons.
Biographical Notes: The preface provides brief biographies and timelines for some of the authors mentioned, such as Acharya Bappabhatti and Kavi Chakravarti Shripal.
Yashovijay's Style and Influence: The preface points out that Yashovijay Upadhyay's Chaturvinshatika is an imitation of Shobhanamuni's work in terms of meter, अलंकार (ornaments/figures of speech), and substance. It states that Yashovijay Upadhyay frequently adopted or adapted phrases, words, and even entire sentences from Shobhanamuni, demonstrating a clear admiration and influence. Examples are given comparing verses from both authors.
Originality and Depth: Despite the imitation, the preface emphasizes that Yashovijay Upadhyay's work is not devoid of novelty or depth. He himself reveals this depth in his commentary, which is filled with scholarly and profound insights.
Challenges in Editing: The preface mentions the difficulty in editing the text due to the limited availability of manuscripts. Only one manuscript with the author's own commentary was found, and it was old and had some missing or damaged parts. Efforts were made to reconstruct and clarify the text, acknowledging potential errors. Another Avachuri (commentary) manuscript was also consulted.
Collaboration in Editing: Pandit Shri Bechharbhai of Valan assisted in proofreading and correcting errors in the press copy.

4. Index (Anukramanika): The index lists the following sections and their corresponding page numbers (86-87):

Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshatika (ऐन्द्रस्तुतिचतुर्विंशतिका)
Paramjyotish Panchavishatika (परमज्योतिष्पञ्चविंशतिका)
Paramatma Panchavishatika (परमात्मपञ्चविंशतिका)
Vijayaprabh Suri's Swadhyaya (विजयप्रभसूरेः स्वाध्यायः)
Shatrunjaya Mandan Shri Rishabhdev Stavan (शत्रुञ्जयमण्डनश्रीऋषभदेवस्तवनम्)

5. Content of the Stuti (Praise Verses): The document then proceeds to present the actual verses (stuti) of the Aendra Stuti Chaturvinshika, along with Yashovijay Upadhyay's self-commentary (vivaran). The verses are organized by the Tirthankaras they praise, starting with Rishabhadev (the first Tirthankara) and continuing through the series. Each verse is followed by its detailed explanation in Sanskrit, which often delves into philosophical, grammatical, and etymological nuances.

6. Other Works: The latter part of the document (starting around page 102) appears to contain other independent stanzas or collections by Yashovijay Upadhyay, such as:

Paramajyotish Panchavishatika (a collection of 25 verses on the supreme light).
Paramatma Panchavishatika (a collection of 25 verses on the supreme soul).
Vijayaprabh Suri's Swadhyaya (a study or praise of Vijayaprabh Suri).
Shatrunjaya Mandan Shri Rishabhdev Stavan (a praise of Shri Rishabhdev, the lord of Shatrunjaya).

Overall Significance: This publication offers a significant Jain religious and literary work, specifically a devotional hymn (stuti) with a detailed scholarly commentary. The preface provides valuable historical context about Jain literature, the evolution of specific poetic forms (Chaturvinshatikas), and the influence of earlier masters on later scholars like Yashovijay Upadhyay. The detailed commentary itself serves as a testament to Yashovijay Upadhyay's intellectual prowess and his contribution to Jain philosophy and literature.