Bhattaraka Kanakkushal Aur Kunvar Kushal

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Bhattaraka Kanakkushal aur Kunvar Kushal" by Agarchand Nahta, focusing on the key information and arguments presented in the excerpt:

The text, authored by Agarchand Nahta, highlights the significant but often overlooked contributions of two Jain monks, Bhattaraka Kanakkushal and his disciple Kunvar Kushal, to Hindi literature and linguistic promotion. The author emphasizes that Jain monks have historically played a vital role in literature and society, dedicating their disciplined lives to spiritual practice, literary creation, and public welfare. Their propagation of religion through spoken word and written works, often in vernacular languages, is considered a significant legacy.

The author notes that while Jain monks have extensively contributed to regional languages like Gujarati and Rajasthani due to their extensive travels in those areas, they were also drawn to the influence and spread of Hindi. This led to the creation of numerous Hindi works, particularly from the 17th century onwards, covering diverse subjects.

The article specifically focuses on Kanakkushal and Kunvar Kushal, active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in regions like Kutch, which was a Hindi-speaking area at the time. Their role in promoting the language and creating literature in it had previously gone largely unnoticed by the Hindi and Jain intellectual communities.

The author clarifies that there was another Tapa-Gachchhiya scholar named Kanakkushal about 125-150 years prior to the Kanakkushal discussed in the article. This earlier Kanakkushal was a disciple of Vijaysensuri and is known for works like "Gyanpanchami Katha." However, the Kanakkushal featured here is distinct, with no known Jain religious texts attributed to him. His guru was Pratap Kushal, and his Hindi works appear from around 1764 CE.

The lineage and achievements of Kanakkushal are traced through the "Kavivansh Varna" (description of the poet lineage) found in Kunvar Kushal's "Lakhpat Manjari." This lineage begins with the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir, and follows through various influential Acharyas and Bhattarakas. Key figures mentioned include:

• Hemavimalsuri: The 55th successor to Mahavir, known for his benevolence and for enlightening Abu Said Sultan.
• Kushalmanikya and Sahajkushal: Sahajkushal's teachings are credited with convincing Emperor Babur to abolish the Jaziya tax.
• Pratap Kushal: A highly influential and respected figure, even in the royal court. He was known for his miraculous powers and ability to discern people's thoughts. He received royal patronage from Aurangzeb, who, after a demonstration of his spiritual prowess, offered him villages and a royal procession. Pratap Kushal was also well-versed in Hindi and Persian.
• Kanakkushal: Referred to as "Kaviraj" (king of poets), he was highly regarded by prominent rulers like Maharaj Ajmal, the Subedar of Ajmer, and other kings. Nawab Khan Jehan Bahadur and the Nawab of Junagadh, Sher Khan, also showed him great respect. He was so influential that in a dispute where all other ascetics were on one side and he on the other, his appointed successor was installed on the 65th seat of tapas. Maharaja Lakkha Kumar, son of Raol Desal, the ruler of Kutch, considered him his guru and granted him a village. Kanakkushal had a large family of learned disciples, among whom "Kunvaresh" (Kunvar Kushal) was highly esteemed by King Lukhpat.

The text emphasizes the significant patronage Kanakkushal received from Raol Lukhpat of Kutch, who granted him a village and the title of Bhattarak. This relationship is further evidenced by a verse mentioning Lukhpat bestowing land and the Bhattarak title upon Kanakkushal, with the village governance extending to his disciples.

According to Kutch historical accounts, Lukhpat studied Braj Bhasha texts under Kanakkushal's guidance. Under their joint supervision, a unique institution was established in Kutch for teaching Braj Bhasha, attracting students from afar. This school, which provided lodging and sustenance, was renowned for its Braj Bhasha education. The text also mentions that Maharaja Lukhpat, despite being learned, was also very extravagant.

The author challenges a claim in the "Mishrabandhu Vinod" that Kanakkushal and Kunvar Kushal were brothers from Jodhpur. Their actual relationship was that of guru and disciple, and their base was likely Kutch. The author has identified several other works by both, which are discussed later in the article.

The article then delves into the specific works of Bhattaraka Kanakkushal:

1. Lakhpat Manjari Namamala: A work in 202 verses, the initial 102 verses describe the lineage of Bhujnagar and Maharaja Lukhpat, followed by the Namamala itself. One manuscript dated 1764 CE describes its composition under Kanakkushal's patronage. Another copy from 1833 CE has 202 verses. The work is named after Lukhpat.
2. Sundar Shringar ki Rasdeepika Bhasha Tika: A commentary on Sundar Kavi's "Sundar Shringar." This commentary, attributed to Kanakkushal, consists of 365 original verses. It was composed during Lukhpat's youth, likely before 1798 CE.

The article continues by detailing the works of Bhattaraka Kunvar Kushal, the principal disciple of Kanakkushal. He also had other disciples like Kalyan Kushal, but their works are not found. Kunvar Kushal was honored by Maharaja Lukhpat and his son Gaur, for whom he composed works between 1764 CE and 1821 CE. Several manuscripts written by Kunvar Kushal are found in Patan, including:

1. Pingal Shastra (dated 1761 CE)
2. Pingal Hamir (dated 1765 CE)
3. Lakhpati Pingal (dated 1807 CE)
4. Gauhadd Pingal (dated 1821 CE)

He is described as a skilled scholar of lexicography, prosody, and rhetoric, with five Hindi works identified in these areas:

1. Lakhpat Manjari Namamala: A work of 146 verses, with the first 121 verses detailing Lukhpat's lineage and the subsequent 28 verses describing the poet's lineage. It was composed shortly after Kanakkushal's work of the same name in 1764 CE.
2. Parasat Namamala: A Braj Bhasha translation of the Persian work "Parasat Namamala." It contains 353 verses and indicates Kunvar Kushal's knowledge of Persian. A manuscript from 1827 CE is noted.
3. Lakhpati Pingal: A treatise on prosody named after Lukhpat. A 71-page manuscript written by Kunvar Kushal himself, dated 1807 CE, is preserved in Patan.
4. Gaud Pingal: An important work on prosody composed for Raol Gaur, son of Lukhpat. It was composed in 1821 CE, and a manuscript written by the author from the same period is found in Patan. This work is larger than "Lakhpati Pingal" and has three sections.
5. Lakhpati Jas Sindhu: A work on rhetoric in thirteen sections, composed at the behest of Maharaja Lukhpat. A manuscript was observed in Churu.
6. Lakhpati Swarg Prapti Samay: A description of Maharaja Lukhpat's demise in 1817 CE, consisting of 60 verses. It is referred to as "Maharaj Lukhpatjinā Marsiyā" (Lament for Maharaj Lukhpat).
7. Maharao Lukhpat Duvaat: A descriptive prose work in vernacular Hindi, estimated to be around 500 verses. It is noted as the largest and most distinctive among "duvabet" compositions, praised for its unique descriptive style.
8. Mata-no Chhand: A composition of thirty verses in Dingal language, praising the kuldevi (family goddess) of the Kutch rulers. It is also known as "Ishwari Chhand." Verse 26 mentions Bhujpati Gohad Rao and his son Kumar Raydhan, indicating it's a later work.

A significant observation is that due to royal patronage, Kanakkushal and Kunvar Kushal's initial invocations often included deities favored by the rulers (Sun, Devi, Shiv Shakti) rather than exclusively Jain Tirthankaras.

The article also points out the significance of the title "Bhattaraka" and the epithet "Suri" used for both guru and disciple. While "Bhattaraka" was a title bestowed by Raol Lukhpat, "Suri" was likely associated with this grant. According to Jain tradition, these titles are usually reserved for leading Gachchha Acharyas.

The influence and royal connections of this tradition continued even after their time, although later authors are not explicitly identified. Lakshmi Kushal's "Prithviraj Vivah" (1851 CE) is mentioned as a notable work. The text also refers to a collection of smaller works by disciples like Gyankushal and Kirtikushal, including praise for "Bhaiji-no Jas" and a seven-verse stotra by Gangakushal.

The author concludes by urging further research and collaboration from other scholars to uncover more information about this significant literary tradition. The excerpt ends with a portion of the "Kavivansh Varnan" from "Lakhpat Manjari," detailing the lineage of spiritual leaders.