Dhundhak Hriday Netranjan Athwa Satyartha Chandrodayastakam

This Jain text, titled "Dhundhak Hriday Netranjan athwa Satyartha Chandrodayastakam" (ढूंढक हृदय नेत्रांजनं अथव सत्यार्थ चंद्रोदयाऽस्तकं), authored by Ratanchand Dagdusa Patni and compiled by Amar Muni (a disciple of Vijayanand Suri, also known as Atmaramji), is a polemical work aimed at refuting the beliefs and practices of the "Dhundhak" sect within Jainism. The title itself suggests its purpose: "Dhundhak Hriday Netranjan" implies an 'eye salve for the heart of the Dhundhaks,' meaning it aims to remove their spiritual blindness or delusion. "Satyartha Chandrodayastakam" suggests a "Sunrise of Truth," further emphasizing its corrective and illuminating intent.

The core of the text appears to be a critique of the Dhundhak sect's rejection of idol worship and their interpretation of certain Jain scriptures. The author, Ratanchand Dagdusa Patni, presents this work as a means to address the perceived "delusion" within the hearts of the Dhundhaks.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and arguments presented across the provided pages:

1. The Author and Purpose:

• The book is attributed to Ratanchand Dagdusa Patni, who is identified as the publisher. Amar Muni compiled the work based on the teachings of Vijayanand Suri (Atmaramji).
• The author uses the metaphor of an "eye salve" (Netranjan) to describe the book's purpose: to remove the "illusion" (Bhram) from the hearts of the Dhundhaks, particularly concerning their beliefs about idol worship.
• The verse on Page 1 highlights this: "If the thorn of the Dhundhaks is removed and it becomes an eye salve, will there still be illusion in the heart of the Dhundhaks?"

2. Critique of Dhundhak Beliefs:

• Rejection of Idol Worship: The central target of the critique is the Dhundhak sect's opposition to the worship of Jin images (Pratima/Murti). The author argues that the Dhundhaks mistakenly believe idol worship is against Jain principles.
• Misinterpretation of Scriptures: The text implies that the Dhundhaks rely on a narrow interpretation of scriptures, perhaps focusing only on a limited number of "Sutras" (mentioned as only 32 Sutras being considered by some Dhundhaks). They are accused of disrespecting established Jain scriptures and the wisdom of ancient Acharyas.
• Heretical Arguments: The author describes the Dhundhak sect as a "path without a Guru" (Guru bina ka panth) and accuses them of fabricating their own interpretations, often by misrepresenting or distorting established concepts like "Niksphas" (categories of existence).
• Name-Calling and Attacks on Acharyas: The text highlights the Dhundhak practice of slandering great saints and Acharyas, even resorting to writing derogatory material. Specific instances are mentioned, like the criticism of Jethmalji by Vijayanand Suri.
• Reliance on External (Non-Jain) Endorsements: The author expresses concern that some Dhundhaks seek validation from non-Jain scholars (like Arya Samajists) to support their views and confuse the general public. The text quotes endorsements from scholars like Pt. Durgadatta Shastri, Pt. Radhaprashad Sharma Shastri, and others, implying these might be misrepresented or used out of context.
• Misunderstanding of "Chaitya" (चैत्य): The text specifically addresses the Dhundhak interpretation of the word "Chaitya," which traditionally refers to temples and idols. The author shows how Dhundhaks misinterpret or twist the meaning of "Chaitya" to exclude temples and idols, while paradoxically sometimes accepting it in other contexts, exposing their inconsistency.
• Female Scholars and Their Views: The text specifically targets a female Dhundhak scholar ("Dhundhani Parvatiji") for her book "Jnana Deepika" and its successor "Satyartha Chandrodaya Jain," accusing her of misrepresenting Jain philosophy and misinterpreting scriptures to oppose idol worship. The author laments that even despite having "sight," she cannot truly perceive the essence of Jainism.

3. The Author's Defense of Idol Worship:

• "Anjana" (अंजन) as an Analogy: The author presents his work as an "anjana" (eye salve) to correct the "vision defect" (drishti dosh) of the Dhundhaks regarding idol worship. He believes that by properly applying this "salve," the delusion will be removed.
• Idol Worship as a Means of Understanding: The text argues that while true spiritual insight comes after removing "vision defects," the idol (Pratima) can serve as a means to understand the truth, even during the "rise of the moon" (symbolizing partial or initial understanding), and potentially even during the "rise of the sun" (complete understanding).
• Critique of Dhundhak Arguments on Scripture: The author refutes the Dhundhak claim that only the "32 Sutras" are authoritative, emphasizing the importance and validity of other Jain scriptures and the interpretations of great Acharyas.

4. Detailed Scriptural Analysis (Niksphas):

• A significant portion of the text is dedicated to explaining the four Niksphas (Name, Sthapana, Dravya, Bhava) according to traditional Jain philosophy.
• The author meticulously breaks down the traditional definitions of each Nikspha and then contrasts them with the Dhundhak interpretations, highlighting their perceived errors and inconsistencies. This section likely forms the scholarly backbone of the refutation. The table of contents (Anukramanika) shows extensive analysis of each Nikspha and how the Dhundhaks allegedly distort them.

5. The "Satyartha Chandrodaya Jain" Book:

• The author directly criticizes a book by "Dhundhani Parvatiji" titled "Satyartha Chandrodaya Jain" (सत्यार्थ चंद्रोदय जैन). He calls it "Shastra Roop Nahi, Kintu Bhavya Janonna Shastrarup Hi" (not a scripture, but a weapon for the common people), implying it's based on flawed logic and intended to harm.
• The author quotes extensively from what he claims are the "apoorva vakyas" (unprecedented statements) from this book, presenting them as examples of Dhundhak fallacies and heresies. These quotes are highly critical of idol worship, temples, and the Acharyas who support them.

6. The Author's Style and Tone:

• The tone is highly polemical and critical. The author uses strong language to describe the Dhundhak sect and their leaders, labeling them as "foolish," "unlearned," "liars," and "heretics."
• The author aims to be persuasive by meticulously explaining his arguments and refuting the Dhundhak positions point-by-point, often using scriptural references.

7. Structure and Content:

• The book is divided into parts, with the provided pages primarily containing the introduction, preface (Prastavana), critique of Dhundhak arguments, and detailed explanations of Jain philosophical concepts (Niksphas).
• The extensive table of contents (Anukramanika) for the first part reveals a chapter-by-chapter refutation of specific points made by the Dhundhaks, especially concerning the four Niksphas, the meaning of "Chaitya," and the validity of idol worship.
• The subsequent parts (indicated by the second and third part's anukramanika) appear to delve further into these refutations and present additional arguments and scriptural interpretations.

In essence, "Dhundhak Hriday Netranjan" is a scholarly and passionate defense of Jain idol worship and traditional Jain practices, presented as a corrective measure against the reformist or revivalist Dhundhak movement that rejected these elements. It seeks to illuminate the "truth" by dissecting and refuting the Dhundhak interpretations of Jain philosophy and scripture.