Anandghan Padya Ratnavali

The book "Anandghan Padya Ratnavali" is a collection of devotional poetry attributed to Anandghanji, a significant figure in Jain literature. The title translates to "A Garland of Gem-like Verses of Anandghan." Published by Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, this volume is presented as the first in a series titled "Shri Jain Bhakti Sahitya Granthavali" (Collection of Jain Devotional Literature).

Key aspects of the book include:

• Contents: The book primarily contains 24 stavans (devotional songs or praises) and 109 padas (verses or stanzas) composed by Anandghanji. The stavans are dedicated to various Tirthankaras (Jain spiritual leaders), starting with Rishabhdev and going up to Mahavir.
• Author Attribution and Scholarly Debate: A significant portion of the introductory section ("Nivedan" or Preface) discusses the scholarly debate surrounding the identity of Anandghanji. The editor, Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, presents the widely held view, supported by some contemporary Jain monks and his own research, that Anandghanji was none other than the renowned scholar and dialectician Shri Yashovijayji.
  • Evidence cited for this includes the fact that only Yashovijayji mentions Anandghanji in the 17th century.
  • Similarities are noted between Anandghanji's compositions and Yashovijayji's works, such as the "Ashtapadi" (an eight-verse hymn) in praise of Anandghanji and Yashovijayji's "Battish Kshtriishi" (Thirty-two sets of twenty-five verses).
  • The editor suggests that Yashovijayji may have adopted the name "Anandghan" in his later life, possibly as a pseudonym.
• Editorial Intent: The publisher aims to make these valuable Jain devotional works accessible to the public at affordable prices. The stated goal is to keep the prices of the series between eight annas and two rupees.
• Structure and Language: The text is written in Gujarati. The poems themselves are devotional in nature, expressing deep reverence, philosophical insights, and spiritual longing directed towards the Tirthankaras. They use traditional poetic meters and styles common in devotional literature. The stavans often have specific ragas (melodies) assigned to them for singing, as indicated at the beginning of each stavan.
• Scope of the Devotional Works:
  • The stavans for each Tirthankara are named and numbered, beginning with "Shri Rishabhdev Prabhunoo Stavan" and covering all 24 Tirthankaras.
  • The latter part of the book contains a substantial number of padas (verses), numbered sequentially from 1 to 109, each also presented with its associated raga and often a specific meter or style of singing. These padas delve into various spiritual concepts, the nature of the soul, karma, liberation, and the path to spiritual realization.

In essence, "Anandghan Padya Ratnavali" is a significant compilation of Jain devotional poetry, meticulously edited and presented to the public, with a scholarly exploration into the authorship and the profound spiritual messages contained within Anandghanji's verses. It serves as a rich resource for understanding Jain philosophy and devotional practices through the lyrical expressions of a revered spiritual figure.