Dharmopadeshmala Vivaran - Book Summary

This document is a detailed summary and analysis of the Jain text "Dharmopadeshmala Vivaran" (धर्मोपदेशमाला-विवरण) by Acharya Jinvijay Muni, published by Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith, Mumbai. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/002785/1.

The document itself is presented as a publication of the Singhi Jain Granthamala, with Acharya Jinvijay Muni as the Chief Editor and Director. It also highlights the patronage of Shri Rajendra Singh Singhi and Shri Narendra Singh Singhi, and the founders of the Singhi Jain Granthamala, Shrimad Bahadur Singhji Singhi and his father, the late Shrimad Dalchandji Singhi. The publication details indicate it is Granthank 28 and was published in Vikram Samvat 2005 (1949 AD). The original text is in Prakrit.

The comprehensive summary covers the following aspects:

1. Introduction and Publisher Details:

Book Title: Dharmopadeshmala Vivaran (धर्मोपदेशमाला-विवरण)
Author of Vivaran: Acharya Jinvijay Muni (आचार्य जिनविजय मुनि)
Original Author of Dharmopadeshmala: Sri Jaysinh Suri (श्री जयसिंह सूरि)
Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith, Mumbai (सिंघी जैन शास्त्र शिक्षा पीठ, भारतीय विद्याभवन, बंबई)
Founders and Patrons: Shrimad Bahadur Singhji Singhi, Shri Rajendra Singh Singhi, Shri Narendra Singh Singhi.
Editor of Dharmopadeshmala: Pandit Shrilalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi (पण्डित श्री लालचन्द्र भगवान्दास गान्धी).
Publication Year: Vikram Samvat 2005 (1949 AD).
Significance: Part of the Singhi Jain Series, Number 28.

2. Commemorative Aspects and Dedications:

The publication is dedicated to the memory of the late Shrimad Dalchandji Singhi and Shrimad Bahadur Singhji Singhi, highlighting their contributions to Jain literature and the establishment of the Singhi Jain Granthamala.
The text emphasizes the philanthropic and scholarly activities of the Singhi family in promoting Jain scriptures and knowledge.

3. Preface and Introduction by Acharya Jinvijay Muni:

Nature of Dharmopadeshmala: It is described as a significant ancient Prakrit text that provides ethical and spiritual guidance suitable for all four types of Jain followers (monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen).
Comparison with Upadeshmala: Acharya Jinvijay Muni compares it to the more ancient "Upadeshmala" by Dharmadas Gani, noting that while Dharmopadeshmala is inspired by it, it focuses more on narrating the stories that illustrate the teachings, featuring a larger number of stories (around 158) within a concise framework compared to Upadeshmala's approximately 70 stories.
Historical Context: Acharya Jinvijay Muni discusses the probable timeframe of Dharmopadeshmala and its author, Jaysinh Suri, placing its composition around the 4th-5th century AD, citing mentions in historical Jain literature like "Vr̥haṭṭippaṇikā."
Content and Style: The text is noted for its rich Prakrit prose, often compared to the style of Sanskrit prose works like Bana's Kadambari. It contains numerous didactic teachings and illustrative stories, covering a vast range of subjects including ethics, conduct, philosophy, history, science, and narratives from Jain tradition.
Linguistic Value: The text is valuable for scholars of Prakrit language, offering insights into linguistic connections with Sanskrit and modern Indian languages, and featuring early uses of the term "Gujarata" (गुजरात) referring to the region.
Cultural and Historical Insights: The text provides details about geographical locations, historical figures, social customs, religious practices, and the cultural milieu of ancient India. It mentions various dynasties, cities, and historical events.
Author's Lineage: The preface delves into the lineage of the author, Jaysinh Suri, and his teachers, connecting him to the tradition of prominent Jain Acharyas like Vimal Gani, Krishn Muni, and Vimal Gani himself. It also touches upon the historical context and the development of Jain monastic orders and schools.
Pandit Shrilalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi's Contribution: The preface acknowledges Pandit Shrilalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi's meticulous editing work, particularly in deciphering and correcting the Prakrit text from various manuscripts, highlighting his deep knowledge of Jain literature.

4. Detailed Summary of Contents (Vast Section): The document provides a detailed table of contents (विषयानुक्रमणिका) listing numerous chapters and the stories within them. These stories are categorized by the virtue or vice they illustrate, often featuring Jain monks, historical figures, and divine beings. The vastness of the content is evident from the extensive list of stories (over 150), each often accompanied by a brief description or the name of the protagonist. Key themes covered include:

Dharma (Virtue) and Adharma (Vice): Stories illustrate the merits of generosity (दानधर्म), chastity (शीलधर्म), austerity (तपोधर्म), devotion (भावधर्म), and the consequences of vices like anger (क्रोध), greed (लोभ), and attachment (राग).
Conduct and Ethics: Emphasis is placed on righteous conduct, respect for gurus (विनयोपदेश), discernment between right and wrong (कार्याकार्यविवेके), control of senses (आत्मदमन), and the importance of good company (सत्पुरुषसङ्गप्रभाव).
Consequences of Actions: Many stories highlight the principle of karma, showing how good deeds lead to positive outcomes and bad deeds lead to suffering, even across lifetimes.
Specific Virtues and Vices: The text details stories related to the importance of honesty, truthfulness, patience, compassion, non-possession, and the pitfalls of pride, attachment, and delusion.
Role of Women: Stories feature prominent female characters, including virtuous queens, devoted wives, and sometimes cautionary tales about flawed female conduct.
Supernatural and Miraculous Events: The narratives often involve divine interventions, miraculous powers, and occurrences in celestial or infernal realms to illustrate Jain principles.
Historical and Mythological Figures: The text draws upon a wide array of Jain historical figures, kings, saints, and legendary characters, as well as figures from broader Indian mythology.

5. Dedication and Editor's Note:

The "Prastavana" (प्रस्तावना - Preface) by Acharya Jinvijay Muni provides a deep dive into the significance of the text, its author, its place within Jain literature, and the editorial process.
He elaborates on the contributions of the Singhi family, particularly Babu Bahadur Singhji Singhi, in reviving and publishing this work, and his own dedication to the Singhi Jain Granthamala.
The editor, Pandit Shrilalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi, expresses his gratitude to his mother and dedicates the work to her memory, detailing his personal journey and the challenges involved in preparing this ancient text for publication.

6. Appendices:

Shuddhipatraka (शुद्धिपत्रकम्): A crucial appendix containing a list of errata and corrections identified during the editorial process, crucial for an accurate reading of the ancient text.
Vichishta Namavali (विशिष्ट-नामावली): An index of proper nouns mentioned in the text, helpful for researchers to trace characters, places, and concepts.
Prakrit Word to Gujarati Word List: A comparative list of Prakrit words used in the text and their Gujarati equivalents, demonstrating linguistic connections and aiding comprehension.

7. Biographical Notes on Singhi Family:

The document includes detailed biographical sketches of Babu Dalchandji Singhi and Babu Bahadur Singhji Singhi, recounting their business acumen, philanthropic efforts, cultural interests, and commitment to Jain learning. It highlights their extensive donations and their vision for establishing institutions like the Singhi Jain Granthamala and the Singhi Jain Gyanpeeth at Shantiniketan.

Overall Significance: The document serves as a testament to the Singhi family's immense contribution to the preservation and propagation of Jain literature. It also showcases the scholarly dedication of Acharya Jinvijay Muni and Pandit Shrilalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi in bringing this valuable, multifaceted text to the public. The "Dharmopadeshmala Vivaran" itself is presented as a key work that encapsulates Jain ethical teachings through a vast repository of stories and illustrative examples, making it a rich resource for understanding Jain philosophy, history, and culture.