Apbhramsa Doha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Apbhramsa Doha" by Bhuvanchandravijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Apbhramsa Doha (अपभ्रंश दोहा) Author: Muni Bhuvanchandravijay (मुनि भुवनचन्द्र) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Context: This text is a collection of Doha poems written in an Apabhramsa dialect, considered to be from the transitional period between Old Gujarati and Apabhramsa.

Origin and Dating: The collection originates from a manuscript found in the "Prakirna Patro" (Miscellaneous Leaves) section of the knowledge repository (Gyana Bhandar) of the Parshwachandragachha Sangh in Khambhat. The writing period is estimated to be the first half of the 16th century. The text is presented as material useful for linguistic study.

Content and Themes: The Doha poems in this collection offer moral and spiritual guidance, emphasizing key tenets of Jainism. The core themes revolve around:

• The Importance of True Faith and Practice:

  • The verses strongly advocate for understanding and adhering to the Dharma (Jain teachings), revering the divine (Jina) and the spiritual guides (Guru). Those who neglect these principles are depicted as suffering.
  • The text stresses the necessity of "Samyak-darshan" (right faith) and "Samyam" (restraint/discipline) in spiritual practice. Engaging with or relying on things that lead to renunciation of these principles is warned against.
  • The Doha encourages building friendships with those who are devoted to the Jina's teachings and steadfast in their right faith, as this leads to spiritual attainment.

• The Futility of Material Pursuits Without Spiritual Merit:

  • Several verses lament the wastage of life due to not making proper donations to deserving recipients ("Daana") or not undertaking ascetic practices ("Tapa").
  • Life's youth and achievements are deemed meaningless if not dedicated to Dharma. Wealth, like a shattered pot, brings no lasting benefit if not used for spiritual good.

• Warning Against Negative Emotions and Actions:

  • Anger ("Rosh") is identified as destructive to Dharma and leads to rebirth in hellish realms. The precious human birth is highlighted as difficult to obtain and should not be wasted.
  • The poem criticizes the "three vices" (Krodh - anger, perhaps paired with desire for wealth and body/lust) that cause internal suffering and harm to others.

• The Nature of Karma and Suffering:

  • The text describes beings burdened by heavy karma. Understanding this reality is crucial for liberation. The consequences of actions, particularly those that lead to distress for one's family, are highlighted.
  • The verses explain how attachment to negative emotions like anger consumes virtues and leads to immense suffering.
  • The suffering of beings is attributed to the consequences of their past deeds (karma), especially when they have not accumulated merit through Dharma, penance, or devotion to the Jinavaras (victorious ones).

• The Path to Liberation (Siddha):

  • Donations, ethical conduct (Sheel), penance (Tapa), and contemplation (Bhavana) are presented as the raft to cross the ocean of existence. Reciting the Navkar Mantra is also highlighted as a means to attain spiritual victory.
  • Fear of the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) should motivate one to seek liberation, not to become entangled in worldly desires.
  • Devoting even a couple of hours to Dharma, akin to how one diligently pursues household chores day and night, can lead to the path of liberation (Shiva-magga).

• The Value of Spiritual Treasures:

  • The verses identify the Jina, the spiritual leaders (Sahu/Guru), as like the wish-fulfilling jewel (Chintamani) because they help one obtain the two precious jewels of right faith and right conduct while wandering in the cycle of existence.
  • Youth is fleeting, and old age inevitably arrives, diminishing physical beauty. The text laments the continued attachment to worldly life and the neglect of Dharma even when old age sets in, and hair turns gray.
  • The urgency of embracing Jain Dharma is underscored, as without it, and with attachment to worldly possessions, who will offer guidance?
  • Devotion to the Jinas is paramount, especially in this era where time is unfavorable. Unforeseen troubles can befall humans, just as a fish can be caught in an unexpected net.

• Encouragement for Spiritual Practice:

  • The collection urges the reader to practice Dharma diligently and without delay, likening it to a waterfall flowing continuously from a mountain.

Editorial Note (Page 3): Page 3 contains an important editorial note by H. Bhayani and Agarchand Nahata. It states that the first five verses of the present collection, specifically the first five verses of a work called "Dangadu" (numbered 8, 16, 17, 23, 24 in their edition), are also found in this Khambhat manuscript with minor textual variations. The rest of the verses in the Khambhat manuscript are new. The note clarifies that "Dangadu" was a provisional title given by Nahata, and in reality, this work appears to be a miscellaneous collection of aphorisms (mainly Dohas) without a specific title.

In essence, "Apbhramsa Doha" is a valuable collection of didactic Jain poems that serve as a spiritual guide, reminding readers of the impermanence of life, the consequences of actions, and the crucial importance of pursuing Dharma, right faith, and ethical conduct for achieving liberation.