Anjali

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Anjali" by Sukhlal Sanghavi, based on the provided pages:

Anjali: A Tribute to the Literary Service and Devotion of the Late Mohanlal D. Desai

This text is an excerpt from a speech delivered at the unveiling ceremony of a portrait of the late Mohanlal D. Desai, organized by the Shvetambar Murtipujak Conference. The speaker, Sukhlal Sanghavi, expresses his connection to both the Conference and Mohanlal, reflecting on their relationship and his own understanding of the Conference's role and Mohanlal's contributions.

The Shvetambar Murtipujak Conference:

Sanghavi describes the Conference as having a liberal and broad perspective compared to other Shvetambar Murtipujak organizations. While its main office is in Mumbai, its meetings and annual sessions have been held across India, from Kolkata in the East to Punjab in the North, Kathiawad and Rajasthan in the West, and Pune in the South. This indicates an inclusive approach aimed at encompassing the entire Murtipujak Sangh. The Sangh has heartily welcomed this broad vision, with individuals from all regions and diverse viewpoints (progressive, moderate, and traditional) embracing the Conference.

He highlights that within the Jain Sangh, the four-fold community (chaturvidh sangh) holds an equal place. While individuals may appear to play a central or supreme role, their influence stems from their merit and capabilities, not hereditary power. The Jain Sangh's structure, in modern terms, is democratic, albeit within the context of a religious tradition.

The speaker outlines the Conference's work in three main areas:

1. Religious: This includes issues related to pilgrimage sites, religious conduct, and sectarian teachings. The Conference has consistently strived to address contemporary demands within its means.
2. Literary: This is identified as a significant area of the Conference's work. From its inception, the Conference has been committed to bringing ancient literary heritage to light and has made substantial contributions in this regard.
3. Social: The Conference has embraced and propagated liberal ideas prevalent in the country, to the best of its ability.

Mohanlal D. Desai: A Dedicated Contributor

Sanghavi's primary focus is on Mohanlal Desai's connection to the Conference and his contributions. He recalls his first meeting with Mohanlal at a Conference session presided over by Dr. Balabhai Nanavati in Mumbai, where he was impressed by Mohanlal's interest, activities, and nature.

He characterizes Mohanlal as cheerful and optimistic. He possessed a strong desire to do good work and a drive to achieve it independently. Mohanlal was also open to learning from others and freely sharing his own knowledge. Their frequent meetings, sometimes lasting for hours and even involving travel, reinforced these impressions. Sanghavi observed that even discussions on politics or Gandhiji would invariably lead Mohanlal back to the Conference's activities, driven by a constant internal contemplation on what the Conference could do in education, literature, and social reform, and how to achieve it.

Sanghavi acknowledges certain limitations that affected the Conference's reach and effectiveness:

• The Jain community's business-oriented nature and the limited number of economically independent members.
• Internal factions among the monks, and their repercussions on the lay community's engagement with the Conference.

Despite these challenges, Mohanlal, though a lawyer with limited income and familial responsibilities, was resilient, optimistic, active, and diligent. He was untiring and would pursue tasks with unwavering commitment, often working late into the night and even during holidays. He actively participated in all Conference activities, taking on responsibilities that matched his interest and capacity. He also skillfully engaged other activists, connecting them to the Conference's work. He was fortunate to have supportive colleagues like Motichandbhai, Makanjibhai, and Mohanlal Zaveri, whose collaborative spirit fostered creative ideas and encouragement.

Mohanlal's Literary Prowess:

Mohanlal's personal endeavors were primarily literary. He single-handedly collected and compiled information on Jain literature, philosophy, and practices from various languages (English, Hindi, Gujarati, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Sanskrit). He would translate, review, and edit these materials himself. His significant contribution to the Conference's publications, such as the Conference Herald and Jain Yug, is evident. Despite criticism for delving into old texts, his work proved invaluable to scholars and has enduring significance.

His dedication to literary research involved obtaining and examining ancient manuscripts, often requiring him to travel to libraries in Ahmedabad and Patan. He viewed holidays not as time for rest but as opportunities for intensified work, never experiencing fatigue or boredom. The discovery of any excellent work brought him immense joy. Sanghavi recounts an instance where Mohanlal, after tirelessly searching a library in Ahmedabad until late at night, discovered a crucial part of an important work, leading to immense shared happiness.

Foundational Contributions to Jain Literary History:

Sanghavi notes that while German scholars initiated historical writing on Jain traditions, Mohanlal laid a significant foundation for literary histories of Jainism from a modern, research-oriented perspective in Indian languages. His work, like "Jain Gurjar Kavio," is considered monumental and likely took a severe toll on his health due to the immense effort, time, and personal expense involved.

His English preface to "Bhanuchandra-Siddhichandra" in the Sindhi Jain Series also drew scholarly attention.

Commitment and Generosity:

Mohanlal was always eager to participate in good causes, rarely considering his own difficulties. Despite limited income and greater family obligations, he would readily offer financial support. Sanghavi recalls Mohanlal offering five hundred rupees for a project, stating his commitment because he liked the work. His life was characterized by dedication and sacrifice.

He contributed regularly to the Gujarat Sahitya Parishad sessions and actively supported Acharya Jinavijayji's initiative in Jain literature research. His close association with Nathuram Premji and Acharya Jinavijayji, known for their historical and impartial perspectives, was significant.

The Banaras Hindu University Jain Chair and Mohanlal's Influence:

Sanghavi details his involvement with the establishment of the Jain Chair at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The idea originated in 1919, but fruition came after 1930. Mohanlal's insistence and the Conference's support were crucial in navigating the complexities, including financial contributions and the appointment of Jain professors. When a critical juncture arose, Sanghavi, initially reluctant to leave Gujarat, agreed to go to Kashi in July 1933 due to the strong backing of the Conference and specifically the "living activists" Mohanlal Desai and Mohanlal Zaveri. They took the initiative to arrange all necessary conveniences for him. This development led to significant long-term positive outcomes, including 23 years of study, teaching, writing, research, and publication at BHU, fostering the growth of Jain philosophy and literature. This initiative also inspired the establishment of Shri Parshvanath Vidyashram and the Jain Cultural Research Society, creating a synergistic ecosystem for Jain studies.

Sanghavi emphasizes that without the indispensable inspiration of Mohanlal Desai and Zaveri, the Conference's liberal approach to utilizing his non-sectarian academic capabilities, and the unanimous acceptance of the Chair's requirements, he would not have gone to Kashi, nor would the subsequent development have been possible.

The Portrait as a Symbol:

The unveiling of Mohanlal's portrait, Sanghavi states, is not merely a formality. The portrait symbolizes dedication to knowledge, literary service, and devotion. He believes it is his duty to articulate the implicit meaning within the portrait and to provide direction for the Conference's future activities. The symbol should inspire action and transform the ceremony into a step towards achieving objectives.

Future Directions for the Conference:

Sanghavi urges the Conference to:

• Facilitate social reform by creating an environment that liberates the middle class from the burden of superstitious and expensive practices.
• Focus significantly on education and literature. While religious education is being addressed by existing institutions, there is a need for higher-level, comprehensive education that aligns with the expanding scope and depth of modern learning.
• Prepare qualified scholars in various subjects to teach at colleges and universities.
• Undertake the editing and publication of ancient Jain literature from a modern perspective, ensuring that the knowledge gained is accessible and valuable to the new generation.
• Utilize available resources, including the Motichandbhai memorial fund, for research and editing of new ancient texts.
• Establish a center for Jain literature in Mumbai and ensure the presence of expert scholars in Jain philosophy, literature, and art.
• Promote values of humanity, nationality, and education, advocating for cultural development through righteous means and renouncing unethical wealth.
• Develop the principle of Anekantavada, fostering equanimity, tolerance, and liberalism.

Sanghavi concludes by stating that the Conference has the potential to significantly contribute to imparting these values, promoting higher education in religion and philosophy, and publishing high-quality literature. He sees Mohanlal Desai's past initiatives through the Conference as a guiding light for future endeavors, and true remembrance lies in fostering and enriching these directions. He thanks the audience for their patient listening.