Dharmni Utpatti Tatha Vruddhi Vishena Bhashan

This Jain text, titled "Dharmni Utpatti tatha Vruddhi Vishena Bhashan" (Discourse on the Origin and Growth of Religion), is a Gujarati translation of Professor Max Müller's Hibbert Lectures. It was translated by Behramji M. Malabari and Navroji M. Mobedjina, and edited and published by Behramji M. Malabari in Bombay in 1881. The catalog link provided is: https://jainqq.org/explore/034814/1.

The book begins with a dedication to Maharaja Dhiraj Maharaj Jamshri Vibhaji, the ruler of Nawānagar, acknowledging the warm welcome the publisher received during travels in Kathiawar. The idea of translating Müller's lectures first originated in Vibhaji's territory, and the publisher recalls Vibhaji's desire to see the work undertaken. Vibhaji is described as accustomed to reading such works and having them read, with studies likely proving congenial due to recent personal circumstances.

The Introduction by the publisher, Behramji M. Malabari, details the journey of translating Max Müller's work. Malabari was inspired by Müller's "enlightened advice" to express "truest Indian or German thoughts in English." He found Müller's Hibbert Lectures particularly compelling, especially his views on the Aryan race and the Sanskrit language. Malabari felt compelled to make these "incomparable lectures" accessible to the millions of Aryans who did not study foreign languages.

Müller responded with enthusiasm, expressing a desire to see the lectures translated into Sanskrit and later approving of a Gujarati translation. Malabari faced significant challenges in finding a suitable periodical and securing funds, but with the support of friends and the public, the work proceeded. He highlights the difficulty of accurately translating Müller's profound thoughts into Gujarati, often requiring extensive research and consultation. He acknowledges the contributions of his friend Navroji M. Mobedjiná and the help of other scholars like Mansukhram Suryaram Tripathi, Kashinath Trimbak Telang, and Manilal Nabhulal Dwivedi. Malabari expresses humility about the translation, recognizing the vastness of Müller's work compared to his own effort. His ultimate goal is to provide his countrymen with some insight into Max Müller's experiences and to shed light on the profound subjects of Aryan faith and language.

The main body of the text, starting with "Dharm" (Religion), delves into defining religion itself. It explores various philosophical viewpoints from scholars like John Stuart Mill, Kant, Fichte, Feuerbach, and Hegel, discussing their interpretations of religion as faith, duty, knowledge, and submission. Müller, through Malabari's translation, posits that true religion is the potential within every human being to comprehend the Infinite. The text then proceeds to analyze the origin and evolution of religious thought, starting from sensory experiences and the development of reason, leading to the concept of the Infinite. It touches upon the classification of objects as tangible, semi-tangible, and intangible, and how these classifications influenced early religious practices and the personification of natural elements and forces.

The text elaborates on the origin of language and its connection to religion, tracing the development of words from root elements and their gradual evolution to express complex ideas. It discusses how early humans attributed actions and intentions to natural phenomena, leading to the personification of these elements and eventually their deification. The concept of deities is explored, with examples from Vedic scriptures, showcasing how natural phenomena like the sun, moon, sky, wind, and thunder were revered and given names and attributes, often reflecting their perceived powers and impact on human life.

The Vedantic perspective is examined, highlighting the gradual shift from polytheistic worship of various deities like Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Surya to a more monotheistic or pantheistic understanding of a supreme being. The text discusses the progression from worshipping tangible objects to abstract concepts, and how the Vedic hymns reflect this evolution. The concept of "Rta" (cosmic order/truth) is presented as a foundational principle, suggesting an underlying order in the universe that early Aryans sought to understand and align with. The text then moves to the concept of "Rta" as the underlying cosmic order and its connection to the regularity of celestial movements.

The development of philosophical thought is traced through the three stages of life—studenthood (Brahmacharya), married life (Grihastha), and forest-dwelling (Vanaprastha), culminating in the stage of a renunciate (Sanyasi). The book emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and the pursuit of the ultimate reality, Brahman, as the central theme of the Upanishads.

The text also touches upon the biographies of significant figures in the study of religion and language, including Max Müller himself, detailing his academic journey and scholarly contributions, particularly his monumental work on the Rigveda.

Finally, the book includes appreciative reviews from various prominent individuals and publications in England and India, lauding Malabari's translation and his literary talent. These testimonials highlight the quality of his Gujarati and English writings, his intellectual prowess, and his dedication to bridging cultural understanding.

In essence, this Gujarati translation of Max Müller's Hibbert Lectures aims to explore the fundamental origins and evolution of religion, tracing its path from early nature worship and personification to more abstract philosophical concepts of the Infinite and the Self, as expounded in ancient Indian thought, particularly the Vedas and Upanishads.