Dharm Jigyasu Akbar Ane Acharya Hirsuriji

The book "Dharm Jigyasu Akbar Ane Acharya Hirsuriji" by Dalpatram Bhaishankar Raval, published by Devchand Damji Kundlakar, is a Gujarati novel that explores the historical and philosophical interactions between the Mughal Emperor Akbar and the Jain Acharya Hirsuriji. The story is presented as a narrative that aims to inspire the Jain community by showcasing the lives of influential historical figures.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and narrative arcs, based on the provided text:

Core Theme: The book focuses on Emperor Akbar's intellectual curiosity about different religions, particularly Jainism, and his encounters with Acharya Hirsuriji. It highlights Akbar's journey of seeking truth and understanding across faiths.

Key Narrative Elements:

• Akbar's Religious Inquiry: The novel depicts Akbar as a seeker of truth ("Dharm Jigyasu"). He is portrayed as a ruler who, despite his position, actively engages in discussions with scholars and spiritual leaders from various religious traditions. His famous "Ibadat Khana" (House of Worship) is presented as a space for interfaith dialogue where he strives to understand the essence of each religion.
• The Influence of Acharya Hirsuriji: The central relationship is between Akbar and Acharya Hirsuriji. The book emphasizes the Acharya's profound spiritual knowledge and his ability to present Jain philosophy in a way that appeals to a broad audience, even influencing the Emperor. The narrative suggests that through the Acharya, Jainism's principles, particularly "Daya" (compassion), gained prominence.
• Historical Context and Narrative Style: The novel is set during the period when Akbar resided in Fatehpur Sikri. The author, Dalpatram Bhaishankar Raval, acknowledges that while the story is based on historical events, there are fictional elements and characterizations to enhance the narrative's engagement and flow. The publisher, Devchand Damji Kundlakar, expresses satisfaction with the author's effort to present history in an accessible and interesting style, mentioning that they had to depart from overly poetic language in some instances to maintain historical accuracy.
• Emphasis on Jain Values: The book aims to highlight the exemplary lives of Jain figures who have contributed significantly to society. It aspires to instill pride in the Jain community by showcasing individuals who embodied virtues like courage, leadership, and spiritual strength. The narrative suggests that studying such lives can re-energize a community that might be experiencing a decline in its spiritual or social fervor.
• Challenges and Approach: The book addresses the challenge of presenting historical figures without embellishment or exaggeration. The author and publisher emphasize their commitment to factual accuracy, even when it meant omitting certain poetic liberties. The process involved reviewing multiple historical texts in Gujarati, Urdu, and English to ensure a credible portrayal of Akbar and Hirsuriji.
• Specific Incidents (as hinted in the Table of Contents and early chapters):
  • Akbar's "Unexpected Order" (Chapter 1): The opening chapters likely detail an event where Akbar, intrigued by the practice of intense fasting and penance within Jainism, issues an order related to a young Jain girl named Champa who performed a six-month fast. This highlights Akbar's direct engagement with Jain practices and his astonishment at their rigor.
  • The Invitation: The text suggests that Akbar extends an invitation to Acharya Hirsuriji to visit his court, signaling the growing respect and interest the Emperor has in Jainism.
  • The Qazi's Visit: A chapter is dedicated to a meeting with a Qazi, indicating potential conflicts or dialogues related to religious land usage or interfaith relations.
  • Jijiavera's Tyranny: This chapter title suggests a depiction of oppressive taxation or administrative policies and the suffering of the common people, likely the Rajputs, under such regimes. It may also involve a narrative of resistance or appeal.
  • The "Unexpected Order": This initial chapter introduces Akbar's fascination with a young Jain girl named Champa who had undertaken a six-month fast. Akbar's disbelief and subsequent command to bring her to him reveal his intellectual curiosity and direct engagement with Jain practices.

Publisher's Foreword: The publisher expresses joy in dedicating this "tribute of life principles" of Hirsuriji to Seth Lachmichandji Ved, a devoted follower of Acharya Vijaydharmasuri, who has undertaken significant service to the Jain faith.

Author's Introduction: The author, Dalpatram Bhaishankar Raval, explains that the inspiration to write this novel came from a previous work on Buddhist history. He was encouraged by friends to create a similar narrative focused on Jain history. His fortuitous meeting with Devchandbhai (likely the publisher) and access to texts like "Kruparasa" and "Kavyamahadadhi" motivated him to write this story. He also mentions the four-year delay in publication, which allowed for revisions and incorporation of more historical context, including the stories of Rana Pratap and Jagadusha.

In essence, "Dharm Jigyasu Akbar Ane Acharya Hirsuriji" is a historical novel that uses the relationship between a powerful emperor and a learned spiritual leader to explore themes of religious tolerance, the pursuit of truth, the impact of Jain philosophy, and the inspiration derived from the lives of great souls.