Bhudhar Jain Shatak

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Bhudhar Jain Shatak," based on the scanned pages:

Title: Bhudhar Jain Shatak (भूधर जैन शतक) Author: Bhudhardas Kavi (भूधरदासजी) Compiler/Commentator: Munshi Amansingh Sunpat (मुन्शी अमनसिंह सुनपत) Publisher: Published by Munshi Amansingh Sunpat through Bharat Darpan Press, Delhi. Date of Publication: Vikram Samvat 1847 (1790 CE), in the month of Phalgun, Shukla Paksha.

Overview:

The "Bhudhar Jain Shatak" is a collection of 100 verses (shatak) by the Jain poet Bhudhardas. The original work by Bhudhardas likely contained verses in various languages and was challenging for the common populace to understand due to its complex Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Gujarati vocabulary.

Munshi Amansingh Sunpat, recognizing the value and difficulty of the original text, undertook the monumental task of making it accessible. He meticulously collected various dictionaries, poetic compositions, and scholarly resources. He then added Shabdarth (word meanings) and Saralarth Teeka (simple commentary) to each verse, simplifying the language and explaining the concepts. His aim was to make the essence of Bhudhardas's teachings available to a wider audience, particularly for educational and devotional purposes.

The work was printed at the Bharat Darpan Press in Delhi, managed by Pandit Kashinath Sharma. The preface highlights the dedication of Munshi Amansingh in compiling and commenting on the work, noting that he did so with great effort and enthusiasm. It also mentions that the printing process was handled with great care, ensuring no religious harm would come from the printing press employees, who were described as being respectful of Jain traditions.

Key Features and Content:

1. Compilation and Commentary: The core contribution of this publication lies in Munshi Amansingh's extensive commentary. He provided word-by-word meanings and a simplified narrative explanation for each verse, making complex Jain philosophy and ethics understandable.
2. Structure of the Book: The book is structured with an index (Anukramanika) listing the chapters and the corresponding verses. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to Jainism, including:
   • Praise of Tirthankaras: Verses dedicated to the praise of Rishabhdev, Chandrabh, Shantinath, Nemnath, and Parshvanath, often describing their previous lives and divine attributes.
   • Ethical Teachings: Discussions on duties, virtuous conduct, the nature of deities, the futility of certain rituals (like animal sacrifice in yajnas), the importance of renunciation, detachment from worldly pleasures, the impermanence of the body, the nature of the soul, and the cycle of birth and death.
   • Moral Guidance: Condemnation of bad conduct, advice on controlling the mind, the importance of patience, reflections on time and its effects, the suffering of ignorant beings, the virtue of courage, descriptions of arrogance and delusion, and warnings against the consequences of wrong actions.
   • Reflections on Life: The ephemeral nature of life, the illusion of pride, the futility of worldly possessions, the inevitability of old age and death, and the importance of spiritual endeavor in the face of suffering.
   • Praise of Jainism: Verses celebrating Jain scripture (Jin Vani), Jain monks (Sadhu Paramesti), and the overall Jain way of life.
   • Discrimination between True and False: Analogies are used to differentiate between genuine spiritual knowledge and superficial practices.
   • The Power of Righteous Conduct: Emphasizing the importance of virtuous actions and the negative consequences of vices.
3. Poetic Meter: The "Shatak" is composed in various poetic meters, including Pomavati, Chhappai, Mattagayand, Ghanashri, Doha, Soratha, Durmila, Geeta, and Savaiya. The compiler notes that the work contains a total of 107 verses across these meters.
4. Praise for Munshi Amansingh: The "Suchana" (Information) section by Pandit Kashinath Sharma praises Munshi Amansingh's immense effort and dedication in making this important work accessible. It highlights the difficulty faced by Jain followers in printing religious texts and expresses hope that this publication will encourage further efforts, including the potential completion of the larger work, "Bhudhar Vilas."
5. Fair Use Declaration: The initial pages include a "Fair Use Declaration" from "The Free Indological Collection," stating that the book is provided for educational and research purposes, believed to be in the public domain, and aims to make valuable texts accessible.

Significance:

The "Bhudhar Jain Shatak," as presented with Munshi Amansingh's commentary, serves as a valuable resource for understanding Jain philosophy, ethics, and devotional practices. It bridges the gap between classical Jain literature and the understanding of the common person, making the profound teachings of Bhudhardas accessible and impactful. The compilation is a testament to the commitment of individuals dedicated to preserving and disseminating Jain heritage.