Apbhramsa Aur Hindia Me Jain Rahasyavada - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Apbhramsa aur Hindia me Jain Rahasyavada" (Jain Mysticism in Apabhramsa and Hindi) by Vasudev Sinh, based on the provided text:

This book, "Apbhramsa aur Hindia me Jain Rahasyavada," authored by Dr. Vasudev Sinh and published by Samkalin Prakashan Varanasi, is a significant academic study that explores the presence and development of mysticism within Jain literature written in Apabhramsa and Hindi up to the 18th century. The work aims to shed light on a facet of Jainism that many consider obscure or even non-existent.

Core Argument:

The central thesis of the book is that Jain traditions, despite their distinct philosophical framework concerning the soul, liberation, and cosmology, exhibit a rich vein of mystical experience and expression, particularly in their poetic and devotional literature. Dr. Sinh argues that this Jain mysticism, while retaining its core principles, evolved over time and, due to historical and cultural interactions, came to share significant similarities in language, themes, and experiences with the broader Indian mystical traditions, including Siddha, Nath, and Hindi Bhakti movements.

Key Themes and Structure:

The book is meticulously structured into five sections, encompassing twelve chapters, each delving into specific aspects of Jain mysticism:

Section 1: Foundations of Mysticism

Chapter 1: Introduction: Discusses the fundamental human quest for ultimate truth, the nature of mystical experience that transcends ordinary language, and establishes the unbroken tradition of mystical thought from the Upanishads to later saints. It also positions Jain mysticism within this broader context.
Chapter 2: Possibility of Jain Mysticism: Addresses the often-raised question of whether Jainism, sometimes labeled as atheistic or antitheistic, can indeed be mystical. Dr. Sinh refutes the notion of Jainism being atheistic, highlighting its belief in the soul's potential divinity and identifying Jain Tirthankaras themselves as profound mystics.

Section 2: Jain Mystical Poets and Poetry

Chapter 3: Jain Mystical Poets and Their Works: This section is crucial for its historical and literary analysis. It criticizes the general neglect of Jain poets in mainstream Hindi literary history, arguing that they have been unfairly relegated to the status of mere religious writers. The chapter provides an overview of key figures and their contributions:
- Prakrit Literature: Highlights the foundational role of Acharya Kundakunda (considered the first Jain mystic poet) and Swami Kartikeya.
- Apabhramsa Literature: Focuses on influential figures like Yogindu Muni and Muni Ramsingh, presenting new conclusions based on the author's research. It also introduces newly discovered poets like Anandatilak, Lakshmichand, and Mahayandin.
- Hindi Literature: Discusses prominent poets like Banarasidas, Bhagwandas, Rupchand, Anandghan, Yashovijay, Bhaiya Bhagwandas, Pandeya Hemraj, and Dhyantaray, noting the lack of detailed prior scholarship on them and the challenges in finding authentic biographical material.

Section 3: Doctrinal Analysis

Chapter 4: Two Perspectives of Evaluation - Vyavahara-naya and Nishchaya-naya: Explains the core Jain epistemological framework of naya (perspectives), differentiating between Vyavahara-naya (conventional or empirical truth) and Nishchaya-naya (ultimate or absolute truth). It argues that Vyavahara-naya accounts for the perceived multiplicity and duality in the world, while Nishchaya-naya reveals the underlying unity, particularly in the nature of the soul and its potential divine state.
Chapter 5: Substance System: Delves into the Jain concept of dravya (substance), outlining the six fundamental substances (soul, matter, dharma, adharma, space, and time) and emphasizing the need for a seeker to understand their true nature.
Chapter 6: The Nature of the Soul as Stated by Jain Seekers: Analyzes how Jain mystics described the soul's essence, its distinction from the body, its various states, and its relationship with God and karma. It clarifies the Jain perspective on God (as the soul's perfected state, hence multiple Gods) and the indescribable bliss of divine realization.
Chapter 7: Means of Attaining Liberation or the State of the Supreme Soul: Discusses the path to liberation, emphasizing the impermanence of worldly things, control over senses and mind, the primacy of inner purity over external rituals, the reliance on intuition over bookish knowledge, and the transcendence of both virtue and vice. Crucially, it highlights the indispensable role of the Guru and the "Three Jewels" (Ratnatraya: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) as essential components.

Section 4: Comparative Study with Other Spiritual Paths

Chapter 8: Jain Poetry and Siddha Literature: Compares Jain mystical poetry with the literature of the 84 Siddhas, tracing the development of Buddhist thought through Mahayana, Mantrayana, Vajrayana, and Sahajayana. It notes the contemporaneity of Jain poet Yogindu and Siddha Sarhapada and points to shared vocabulary and descriptive styles.
Chapter 9: Jain Poetry and Nath Yogi Tradition: Contrasts Jain poetry with the Nath yogi tradition, emphasizing the Nath emphasis on Hatha Yoga and the concept of Shiva-Shakti union. It highlights the influence of Nath philosophy on Jain poets like Muni Ramsingh.
Chapter 10: Jain Poetry and Hindi Sant Poetry: Offers a comparative study with Hindi Sant poetry, particularly Kabir. It asserts that Kabir's critique of external rituals and his mystical insights were not entirely novel but were preceded by similar ideas in Siddha, Nath, and Jain traditions. It argues that Kabir was significantly influenced by Jain mystic poets like Yogindu and Muni Ramsingh, and even Sant Anandghan seems to have drawn inspiration from Kabir. The chapter also notes parallels between Banarasidas and Sant Sundardas.

Section 5: Linguistic and Concluding Remarks

Chapter 11: History of Certain Terms Used in Medieval Religious Practice: Traces the evolution of key mystical terms like sahaja, samarasa, mahasukha, nam-sumiran, ajapa, niranjana, and avadhu, showing how their meanings were adapted and utilized across different traditions, including Siddhas, Nathas, Jain poets, and Hindi saints.
Chapter 12: Conclusion: Summarizes the findings of the entire study, emphasizing the originality of the research and its contribution to understanding Jain mysticism. It also includes an appendix with excerpts from newly discovered Apabhramsa and Hindi manuscripts.

Author's Methodology and Contributions:

Dr. Vasudev Sinh's research is characterized by:

Extensive Archival Research: He consulted numerous manuscript libraries in Jaipur and elsewhere, unearthing new and significant Jain literary works.
Critical Analysis: He provides in-depth analysis of the philosophical and doctrinal aspects of Jain mysticism, comparing them with other Indian traditions.
Biographical and Historical Context: He attempts to reconstruct the lives and contexts of often-unknown Jain poets, highlighting their struggles and contributions.
Linguistic Evolution: He examines the development of language, particularly Apabhramsa and its transition towards Hindi, as reflected in these mystical texts.

Key Discoveries and Arguments:

Jain Mysticism is Real: The book strongly asserts the existence of a genuine mystical tradition within Jainism, evidenced by the works of numerous poets and saints.
Influence and Interconnectedness: It demonstrates how Jain mystical thought, while rooted in its own philosophy, interacted with and influenced broader Indian mystical currents, and was in turn influenced by them.
Rehabilitation of Jain Poets: It makes a strong case for the re-evaluation of Jain poets, recognizing their significant literary and spiritual contributions, often overlooked by mainstream literary histories.
Linguistic Insights: The study illuminates the linguistic transitions from Apabhramsa to Hindi through the lens of Jain poetry, revealing new poetic forms and expressions.
Mystical Terminology: It provides a detailed historical account of key terms that unified the mystical discourse of the medieval period.

In essence, "Apbhramsa aur Hindia me Jain Rahasyavada" is a groundbreaking work that not only fills a significant gap in the study of Jain literature and Indian mysticism but also reconfigures our understanding of the interconnectedness of religious and literary traditions in medieval India. It presents Jainism not just as a set of rigid doctrines, but as a living tradition that fostered profound spiritual experiences expressed through art and poetry.