Bhaiya Bhagavatidas Aur Unka Sahitya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhaiya Bhagavati Das Aur Unka Sahitya" by Usha Jain, based on the provided pages:

Book Overview:

"Bhaiya Bhagavati Das Aur Unka Sahitya" (Bhaiya Bhagavati Das and His Literature) by Dr. Usha Jain, published by Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Kala Manch, is a scholarly work dedicated to the life and literary contributions of Bhaiya Bhagavati Das, a significant Jain poet and saint from the latter half of the 17th century. The book aims to bring to light the significant but often overlooked literary heritage of Jain poets in Hindi literature.

Introduction and Context:

The book highlights the parallel streams of Brahmanical and Shramanic cultures in India, emphasizing the crucial role of Jain tradition in shaping Indian culture. It notes the vastness of Jain literature composed in various languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Hindi. The author laments the historical neglect of Jain literature by literary historians who often dismissed it as sectarian. However, she cites Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi's acknowledgement of its importance, stating that excluding religious or moral texts from literature would mean excluding foundational works like the Adi Kavya, Kabir's poetry, and even Jayasi.

Bhaiya Bhagavati Das: A Spiritual Poet

Bhaiya Bhagavati Das is presented as a spiritual Jain saint and devotional poet of the late 17th century, whose inner life flowed with knowledge, devotion, and poetry. He translated complex spiritual disciplines into engaging narratives and metaphors, making them accessible like sweetened medicine. While his works fall under the Ritikal period of Hindi literature due to the era of his writing, his inner inclination aligns him with saint and devotional poets. The author suggests that he belongs to the "Ritimukt" (free from stylistic conventions) category of Ritikal poets, but argues for a separate classification of "Devotional and Saint poets of Ritikal" to better accommodate poets like him who focused on spiritual themes.

Contribution to Hindi Literature and Jain Literature:

The book argues that Hindi Jain poets have been instrumental in enriching Hindi literature by contributing to various literary streams and expanding readership. The vast collection of Hindi manuscripts in Rajasthan's Jain scripture repositories indicates the diversity of Jain literary forms. The author emphasizes the significant contribution of Jain poets to the development of the Hindi language through their mastery of Apabhramsha. They popularized Hindi through smaller Ras (narrative poems) in the 12th-13th centuries and initiated the tradition of Prabandh Kavya (long narrative poems) with works like Jinadatta Charita.

The book details the period from the 16th to the 18th centuries as a vibrant era for Hindi Jain literature, with poets like Buchraj, Chihal, Chaturmal, Gauravdas, and Thakursi enriching the literary landscape. It highlights the patronage of Jain scholars and the significant output of poets like Bhattaraka Ratnakirti and Kumudachandra. The influence of poets like Banarsidas, who introduced Hindi to the spiritual realm with his Samaysar Natak, is also discussed. The author points out that Jain poets often focused on themes of worldly impermanence, the soul's power, and self-conquest, steering clear of sensual descriptions. Banarsidas's autobiography, Ardhkathak, is noted as a world-class autobiography.

The 18th century saw poets like Mahakavi Sabhachand, who versified the Padmapurana into a large epic, and Balakavi, who popularized the Ramayana story within the Jain community. Bhaiya Bhagavati Das emerged as a representative poet of the 18th century, originating from Agra, a significant center for Hindi Jain poets for two centuries.

Bhaiya Bhagavati Das's Life and Works:

Name and Origin: The prefix "Bhaiya" likely indicates his family's affluent background and the affection he received. He was a resident of Agra.
Birth and Death: His exact birth and death dates are unknown, but his creative period is estimated between 1731 and 1755 VS (Vikram Samvat), suggesting a birth around the first decade of the 18th century and a death around 1760 VS.
Family and Lineage: Born in the Oswal community, Katoria gotra, his grandfather was Dashrath Sahu, a prominent Agra merchant. His father, Lalji, was religiously inclined.
Works: His collected works, titled Brahm Vilas, contain 67 compositions. His writings are diverse, including:
- Rupak Kavya (Allegorical Poetry): Shat Ashtottari, Chetan-Karma-Charitra (considered his best), Guru Shishya Prashnottari, Madhu Binduk Chaupai, Natak Pachisi, Panchaindriya Samvad, Man Battisi, Swapna Battisi, Sua Battisi. These often employ complex allegories to explain Jain philosophical concepts.
- Darshan Pradhan Rachnayein (Philosophy-centric Works): Gun Manjari, Lokakash Kshetra Pariman Katha, Ekadas Gunsthan Paryant Panth Varnan, Karma Bandh ke Dash Bhed, Saptbhangi Vani, Chaudah Gunsthanvarti Jeev Sankhya Varnan. These delve into Jain philosophical tenets.
- Stuti aur Jayamala Sahitya (Praise and Victory Garland Literature): Numerous stutis (hymns) and jayamalas dedicated to Tirthankaras and other revered figures.
- Updeshatmak Sahitya (Didactic Literature): Works focused on moral and spiritual instruction, like Punya Pachisi, Akshar Battisi, Shiksha Chand, and various Pachisikas (collections of 25 verses) on different virtues and vices.
- Chitra Kavya (Picture Poetry): He was skilled in creating intricate poetic designs like Tripadi, Ashvagati, Sarvatobhadra, Nagbaddha, and Kamalakar, showcasing his intellectual dexterity.
- Jyotish ke Chand (Astrology Verses): A few verses indicating his knowledge of astrology.
- Kavya Anuvad (Poetic Translation): He translated Nemichandra's Dravya Sangraha from Prakrit into Hindi poetry, a significant contribution to making Jain philosophy accessible.
Inspirations: He was deeply influenced by Jain philosophical texts, particularly the works of Acharya Nemichandra (like Gommatasara and Trilokasara). The religious and spiritual environment of Agra also served as inspiration.
Humility and Knowledge: His writings reflect immense humility and a profound understanding of Jain philosophy. Despite his scholarly achievements, he referred to himself as an "Alp Buddhi" (less intelligent) and sought corrections from learned individuals. His mastery of Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, and potentially other languages like Gujarati, Urdu, and Persian, along with his musical knowledge (evident in his Paramarth Pad Pankti), highlights his versatility.
Rejection of Shringara Rasa: The book emphasizes that Bhaiya Bhagavati Das, like many Jain poets, consciously avoided sensuous themes and focused on spiritual upliftment. His critique of Keshavdas's Rasikpriya illustrates his stance against erotic poetry.

Analysis of His Literary Style:

Allegory (Rupak): A prominent feature, used to convey complex spiritual ideas through relatable narratives. Chetan-Karma-Charitra is highlighted as a masterpiece of allegorical poetry.
Rasa (Sentiment): Shanta Rasa (peaceful sentiment) is dominant in his works, aligning him with the spiritual core of Jainism. Heroic (Vir), disgusting (Vibhatsa), and wondrous (Adbhuta) rasas are also present, often supporting the main spiritual theme.
Alankaras (Figures of Speech): He skillfully employed Anupras (alliteration) and Yamak (rhyme and meter), particularly in Paramatm Shatak. Upama (simile), Rupak (metaphor), and Drushtant (illustration) are used effectively to clarify philosophical points. His mastery of Sangaroopak (continuous metaphor) is notable, especially in Sua Battisi.
Chhandas (Meter): He utilized a wide variety of meters including Doha, Chaupai, Kavit, Savaiya, Kundaliya, and Chhappay, demonstrating his command over poetic structure.
Language: His language is a blend of Brajbhasha-influenced Hindi with Sanskrit, Prakrit, and some foreign (Arabic, Persian) words. It is characterized by clarity, simplicity, and occasional regional influences.
Thematic Focus: His primary themes revolve around Jain philosophy, the nature of the soul, the cycle of karma, the path to liberation, the impermanence of the world, the importance of right conduct, and devotion to the Tirthankaras.

Contribution and Evaluation:

Dr. Usha Jain's research is lauded for its meticulous effort in unearthing the forgotten poet and presenting his complete literary corpus to the world. The book serves as a torchbearer for future research into the vast and under-explored field of Hindi Jain literature. It argues for a re-evaluation of historical categorizations and the establishment of a dedicated section for Jain devotional and saint poets within the history of Hindi literature.

Conclusion:

"Bhaiya Bhagavati Das Aur Unka Sahitya" is a significant contribution to understanding the depth and breadth of Hindi Jain literature. It successfully highlights Bhaiya Bhagavati Das as a profound spiritual poet whose works, rich in philosophical insight, devotional fervor, and artistic skill, deserve recognition and a prominent place in the annals of Indian literature. The book emphasizes the enduring relevance of his teachings on self-realization and detachment in navigating the complexities of life.