Dropadiswayamvaram - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Draupadīsvayamvaram," based on the provided PDF content:

Book Title: Draupadīsvayamvaram (द्रौपदीस्वयंवरम्) Author: Muni Jinvijay (संपादक - मुनि जिनविजय) Publisher: Shri Jain Ātmānand Samā (प्रकाशयित्री भावनगरस्था श्रीजैन-आत्मानन्दसमा) Series: Pravartak Shrikāntivijay - Jain Itihāsmālā, Fifth Flower (प्रवर्तक - श्रीकांतिविजय - जैन - इतिहासमाला - पंचमपुष्प)

Overview:

"Draupadīsvayamvaram" is a dramatic play (natak) in two acts, written by the Mahākavi (great poet) Vijayapāl. The play depicts the svayamvara (self-choice ceremony) of Draupadi, a pivotal event in the Mahabharata. This edition, edited by Muni Jinvijay, aims to preserve and present this historical Jain literary work to a wider audience.

Editorial and Publishing Information:

The manuscript for this play was obtained from Shri Tansukharam Mansukharam Tripathi of Nadiad, Gujarat, who received it from Shri Chimanlal Dashabhai L. M. A., an office bearer of the Baroda Government Library.
The manuscript is estimated to be three to four hundred years old, but it contained numerous errors and omissions.
Despite efforts to find a second manuscript, only the one from Nadiad was available, and it was used for this printed edition after necessary revisions.
The publication was made possible through the financial assistance of M Lachhchandre, son of Jhaverī Dharmachandre, resident of Vadodara, for the spiritual benefit of his wife Hirakunvar.
The publication was managed by Vanabhdās Tribhuvanadās Gāndhi, Secretary of Shri Jain Ātmānand Samā, and printed at Aryasudhārak Press in Vadodara on November 25, 1918.

Author and His Family Lineage:

The introduction by Muni Jinvijay provides significant historical and genealogical information about the author, Mahākavi Vijayapāl, and his illustrious ancestors, all of whom were renowned poets and associated with the royal court of Gujarat.

Vijayapāl (The Author):
- He is identified as the author of this two-act play, "Draupadīsvayamvaram."
- He refers to himself as a "Mahākavi" in the work, suggesting he likely authored other literary pieces that are now lost to time or are yet to be discovered.
Siddhapāl (Vijayapāl's Father):
- Also a "Mahākavi," Siddhapāl was highly esteemed and a favorite of King Kumārpāl of Gujarat.
- His poetic prowess is evident in verses quoted from him in the works of the Jain scholar Somaprabhāsūri, specifically in the latter parts of Sumatināthacharit and Kumārpālpratibodh.
- Siddhapāl lived in the vasati (Jain monastery or hospice) of his father.
- He is described as a benefactor, compassionate, courteous, truthful, forgiving, and generous.
- He played a role in King Kumārpāl's court, for instance, by suggesting the name of the general Āmra for a task.
- He also composed verses praising King Kumārpāl's charitable activities.
- Siddhapāl was alive until at least VS 1241 (AD 1184), when Somaprabhāsūri completed his work.
Śrīpāl (Siddhapāl's Father, Vijayapāl's Grandfather):
- Śrīpāl was an even more celebrated "Mahākavi," holding the titles of "Kavirāja" and "Kavicakravartī" (King of Poets or Emperor of Poets).
- He is mentioned in various historical texts, including Prabhāvakcharitra, Prabandhachintāmaṇi, and Kumārpālprabandha.
- He was a close friend of King Siddharāja Jayasiṁha of Gujarat, who addressed him as "brother."
- Śrīpāl was a prominent leader of the Svetāmbara Jain community in Aṇahilpur.
- He was a devoted follower of the Jain scholars Devamūri and Āchārya Hemachandra.
- Śrīpāl actively participated in a significant theological debate between the Svetāmbara and Digambara Jain sects in VS 1181, supporting Devamūri.
- The poet Yashaschandra wrote a play called Mudritakumudachandra to commemorate this debate, and it is suggested that the author of Prabhāvakcharitra drew information from it.
- Tragically, despite his immense talents and royal patronage, Śrīpāl lost his eyesight due to a curse or misfortune. This is illustrated by an anecdote where he humbly responded to a question about a verse with his characteristic insight, only to lose an eye shortly after.
- Śrīpāl composed several notable works:
  - A hymn of 29 verses in yamaka (a poetic meter) praising the 24 Tirthankaras.
  - The Vaḍanagar-prākāra-praśasti, a description of the fort built by King Kumārpāl in Vadnagar in VS 1208.
  - His verses are quoted by other poets, such as Jalhaṇa in his Sūktimuktāvalī.
  - Two of his verses praising the Sahasralinga and Durlabha Sarovar are quoted by Merutuṅgāchārya in Prabandhachintāmaṇi. One of these verses is accompanied by an anecdote about a scholarly debate and the ensuing misfortune of the poet Ramachandra.
  - He also revised a work called Nābheya-Nemi-Dvisandhāna by Hemachandra's disciple, Vijayasiṁha.
- A marble statue at the Vimal Shah temple in Delvada, Mount Abu, is believed to be of Śrīpāl, bearing an inscription that mentions his father as Lakṣmaṇa and some of his sons.
Lakṣmaṇa (Śrīpāl's Father, Vijayapāl's Great-Grandfather):
- Mentioned in an inscription at Delvada, identifying him as the father of Śrīpāl. His period is estimated to be around VS 1100-1150 (AD 1043-1093).

Chronological Estimation:

Based on the lineage, the estimated periods of existence are:

Lakṣmaṇa: VS 1100-1150 (AD 1043-1093)
Śrīpāl: VS 1151-1210 (AD 1094-1153)
Siddhapāl: VS 1211-1250 (AD 1154-1193)
Vijayapāl: VS 1251-1300 (AD 1194-1243)

The Play "Draupadīsvayamvaram":

Theme: The play dramatizes the svayamvara of Draupadi, a key event from the Mahabharata.
Characters Introduced in the Beginning:
- Sūtradhāra (Stage Manager): Opens the play, introducing the context and the play itself.
- Pāripārśvaka (Attendant): Interacts with the Sūtradhāra.
- Krishna: Appears early, discussing the task of acquiring arrows and the need for Bhīma to decorate the wedding pavilion.
- Bhīma: Appears and receives instructions from Krishna.
- Karṇa: Appears in disguise as a Brahmin seeking a boon. He showcases his generosity and strength when approached by the priest.
- Draupadi: Appears with her friend and makes her way to the svayamvara.
- Pandavas (Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, etc.): Arrive, seeking to participate.
- Drupada: The king of Panchala, sets the condition for marriage and announces the challenge.
- Duryodhana, Duhśāsana, Śakuni, Drona, Śiśupāla: Represent the Kauravas and their allies, attempting and failing to string the bow. Arjuna (as a Brahmin) is the successful contender.
Key Events Depicted:
- The svayamvara challenge: Stringing Shiva's bow and hitting the fish target.
- The attempts and failures of various kings and warriors, including Duryodhana, Duhśāsana, Śakuni, and Śiśupāla.
- Krishna's divine intervention and subtle guidance.
- Arjuna, disguised as a Brahmin, successfully strings the bow and hits the target, winning Draupadi's hand.
- The initial skepticism of other kings towards Arjuna's success.
- Draupadi accepting Arjuna as her husband.
Artistic Merit: The play is described as having a "prasādika" (graceful, pleasing) composition and is considered "ordinary good." It highlights the author's poetic skills and literary talent.

Significance:

This work is significant for several reasons:

Literary Preservation: It preserves a piece of Gujarati literature and drama from a historical period.
Genealogical Insight: It provides valuable information about the prominent Jain poet family of Gujarat, tracing their lineage and their contributions to literature and society.
Historical Context: It offers glimpses into the cultural and intellectual life of Gujarat during the Solanki dynasty, particularly the court of King Kumārpāl and Siddharāja Jayasiṁha.
Jain Heritage: It showcases the deep connection of these poets to Jainism and their patronage of Jain institutions.

The editor, Muni Jinvijay, expresses gratitude to Shri Tansukharam Mangaldas for his literary interest which helped save this ancient manuscript from destruction and allowed it to be published and immortalized.