Devchandraji Maharaj

This document is a biographical sketch of two prominent Jain monks, Shrimad Devchandraji Maharaj and Shrimad Samaysundarji Maharaj, highlighting their lives, teachings, and literary contributions.

Shrimad Devchandraji Maharaj

• Lineage and Birth: He was born into the Lunia Gotra of the Oswal community in the village of Rang, near Bikaner in Marwar. His father was the devout Tulsidas, and his mother was Shilvati Shrimati Dhanbai.
• Early Life and Initiation: From a young age, Devchandraji displayed an exceptional inclination towards religion. At the age of eight, his mother fulfilled a vow and dedicated him to Upadhyay Shri Rajasagarji Maharaj. He received his laghu diksha (minor initiation) at the tender age of ten in 1756 (Samvat).
• Education and Scholarship: Under the tutelage of his guru, Upadhyay Shri Rajasagarji Maharaj, Devchandraji became a profound scholar, mastering subjects like grammar, logic, astrology, prosody, drama, rhetoric, and political science. He practiced deep meditation, reportedly attaining the grace of Goddess Sharda.
• Literary Contributions:
  • At the age of twenty (1766 Samvat), he authored "Dhyan Deepika," a comprehensive treatise on meditation, and "Dravya Prakash," a poetic work on the subject of dravyanuyog (metaphysics) in Braj Bhasha.
  • During his travels in Marwar, he wrote the extensive prose work "Agamsaar," which delves into deep discussions on concepts like uddhyotana, naya, nikshepa, paksha, pramana, and saptabhangi.
  • Other notable works mentioned include: Shri Devchandra Snan Pooja, Nayachandrasaar, Gurugun Chhatrishee (Volumes 1-5), Karmasamyaprkaran, Vichararatnasar, and Vartaman Jinvasi. These works are preserved in various Bhandars (collections) across India.
• Monastic Life and Influence: He received his vadi diksha (major initiation) from Acharya Shri Jinchandrasuri Maharaj. For ten years, he traveled in Marwar and then moved to Gujarat. He was known for his immense compassion and ability to dissolve differences between various sects, earning respect from monks of the Tapagachha lineage as well.
• Shasanprabhavana (Spiritual Influence):
  • In Gujarat, he was instrumental in promoting Jainism. He performed the reading of the Bhagavati Sutra in Ahmedabad in 1787 (Samvat).
  • He converted many Vaishnavas to Jainism and revived stalled worship practices in chaityas (Jain temples).
  • He officiated numerous pratishthas (consecrations of idols) at prominent sites like Shatrunjay hill, Patan, Navanagar, Bhavnagar, Limbdi, Dhrangdhra, and Chuda.
  • He played a role in establishing the Anandji Kalyanji firm in Palitana.
  • In Ahmedabad, he was honored with the title of Vachak (reader or scholar) by the Gachchhapati (head of the lineage).
  • He actively participated in social service during times of epidemic.
• Asceticism and Spirituality: Devchandraji was also a great ascetic and yogi, deeply devoted to dravyanuyog and vidhanashakti. It is believed that through his penance, he had a direct vision of Dharanendra (a divine being associated with Jainism).
• Demise: He attained devagati (passed away to the heavens) in Ahmedabad in 1712 (Samvat) at the age of 66, after a long monastic life of 56 years. His padukas (sandals) are installed in front of the Derasar in Dariyapur, Ahmedabad, with an inscription detailing his lineage and passing. He is revered as a highly learned, ascetic, poetic, self-aware, knowledgeable scholar, influential figure, and devotee of the Lord.

Shrimad Samaysundarji Maharaj

The document also briefly mentions Shrimad Samaysundarji Maharaj, highlighting his literary contributions:

• Literary Service: His literary service is described as enduring. He composed works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Gujarati, covering subjects like grammar, commentaries, poetics, prosody, logic, astrology, history, prabandhas, rasas, dialogues, primers, and devotional songs (stavan, sajhay, geet).
• Vast Output: He composed about twenty works in Sanskrit and thirty in Gujarati.
• Notable Gujarati Works:
  • "Bhavshatak"
  • "Roopkamala Avsurri"
  • "Kalikacharya Katha"
  • "Samachari Katha"
  • "Visheshshatak"
  • "Dashavaikalik Teeka" (Sanskrit)
  • "Char Pratyek Buddh Raas"
  • "Mrugavati Raas"
  • "Pusar Raas"
  • "Vatupal-Tejpal Raas"
  • "Shatrunjay Raas"
  • "Bar Vrat Raas" These Gujarati rasas (narrative poems) range from 100-125 verses to as many as 3700 verses.
• Literary Quality: His literature is praised for its linguistic sweetness, vivid descriptions, and accurate portrayal, marking it as high-quality.
• Popularity: His devotional songs (geet) exceeded a thousand in number and became so popular that they were often associated with the architecture of Kumbha Rana, as expressed in the saying: "Songs of Samaysundar, paintings on the walls, or the fortresses of Kumbha."
• Multilingualism: He also composed poetry in Hindi, Sindhi, and Punjabi. His poems were so poetic and popular that many followers imitated them.
• Intellectual Prowess: He demonstrated his father's scholarship through his work "Ashtalakshi," where he explained ten lakh, twenty-two thousand, four hundred and twenty-seven meanings from a single eight-syllable sentence. He is described as a brilliant and radiant monk.

The document concludes by referencing the source of information for Samaysundarji Maharaj from the "Nal-Dvandanti Raas" and then transitions to mentioning Muni Shri Bhanuvijayji Maharaj of Surendranagar as a disciple of Shri Muktivijayji Maharaj. However, the provided text primarily focuses on Devchandraji Maharaj and provides a brief overview of Samaysundarji Maharaj's literary achievements.