Ek Futkal Patra Antargat Shabdayadi - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ek Futkal Patra Antargat Shabdayadi" by Kantilal B. Shah, based on the text you've shared:

Overall Purpose and Content:

This document is an analysis and presentation of a glossary of words collected from a "futkal patra" (miscellaneous letter) by an unnamed student. The primary goal of this publication is to present these words, which are in Apabhramsha/Old Gujarati, with their Sanskrit equivalents and provide modern Gujarati meanings and commentaries where necessary. The work is attributed to Kantilal B. Shah and is part of the "Anusandhan 46" publication.

Origin and Methodology:

Source: The initial glossary was compiled by a student from a miscellaneous letter received by Acharya Shri Shilchandrasuriji Maharaj. The student found these words useful for studying Apabhramsha/Old Gujarati literature.
Author's Role: Kantilal B. Shah was entrusted with the task of providing modern Gujarati meanings and annotations to this Sanskrit-based glossary.
Research and Verification: To obtain accurate Gujarati meanings, Shah consulted Jayant Kothari's edited "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh" (Dictionary of Medieval Gujarati). He discovered that a significant portion of the words in the original glossary were also recorded in this dictionary, often citing the text "Uktiratnakar" as their source.
"Uktiratnakar": This text was composed by Shri Sadhusundargani between 1624-1627 CE. It was edited by Shri Jinvijay Muni in 1957 CE and includes two anonymous auktikas (collections of sayings) along with the main work. "Uktiratnakar" also provides Sanskrit equivalents for understanding Old Gujarati words.
Connection Established: Shah observed a strong similarity between the Sanskrit equivalents in the original glossary and those found in the "Uktiratnakar" section of the "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh," concluding that the collected glossary was largely derived from the "Uktiratnakar" publication.
Deviations in "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh": While "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh" used Sanskrit equivalents from "Uktiratnakar" to provide Gujarati meanings, it didn't always consider them definitive etymological sources. Some Sanskrit equivalents were seen as mere "Sanskritization" of the original word. In cases of doubt or when more reliable Sanskrit words were found in other texts, those were used for etymology.
Author's Approach in This Publication: Shah primarily relied on "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh" for the modern Gujarati meanings. He also consulted "Sarth Gujarati JodaniKosh" and Hindi dictionaries when needed. He provided etymologies where possible and added notes (टि.) when deemed necessary.

Key Aspects of the Glossary Presentation:

Order: The original order of the words from the letter has been maintained.
Format: Sanskrit equivalents are presented in square brackets [] at the end of each word.
Corrections and Uncertainties: The author notes that some words were transcribed incorrectly from the original text. He has corrected these where possible. Where meanings were not found, Sanskrit equivalents didn't match, or meanings remained uncertain, a question mark (?) is used.
Examples of Word Entries (with annotations): The document then proceeds to list and define numerous words. Here are a few illustrative examples:
- होउ (Hou): Meaning "thayu" (became). Etymology: from Sanskrit "bhu" (to be).
- अथ (Ath): Meaning "have" (now), "arambh" (beginning). Annotation: "Ath" is a Sanskrit word.
- सामहु (Samahu): Meaning "samum" (in front). Etymology: from Sanskrit "sammuhakam" > "samahau".
- पाधरउ (Padharau): Meaning "sodho" (straight), "saral" (simple), "bholabhalo" (simple-minded). Etymology: from Sanskrit "pradhvara"; also referring to "paddhar" [Riju, saral].
- ऊंधाधलङ (Undhadhalad): Meaning "undhandhal" (upside down/chaotic), "jhankhu" (dim), "chunkhadu" (small/insignificant). Etymology: from Sanskrit "udvalikam".
- अहिवा (Ahiwa): Meaning "vidhava" (widow). Etymology: from Sanskrit "adhva".
- सउडी (Saudi): Meaning "rajai" (quilt), "sod" (blanket). Annotation: "Madhyakalin Gujarati Shabdakosh" considers "saudi" a dialectal word. "Sirakh" is a Rajasthani word for quilt/blanket. "Tulai" means padding/mattress.
- अजूयातउं (Ajuyatu): Meaning uncertain, possible meaning "ujalayelu" (illuminated) from "ajuyalau" (possibility). Etymology: from Sanskrit "ujjvalayitum".

Content Overview of the Lexicon:

The bulk of the document is a comprehensive list of Old Gujarati words with their meanings and etymologies. The words cover a wide range of concepts, including:

Directions and Positions: आगलि (ahead), पच्छिलिउ (behind), हेठि (below), ऊपरि (above), अरहउ (near), परहउ (far).
Qualities and Descriptions: पाधरउ (straight), सरीखउ (like), समान (similar), अनोखो (unique), ऊंधाधलङ (chaotic), सूगवणउं (disgusting), विलखउ (sad), सरलउ (long).
People and Relations: विधवा (widow), सधवा (fortunate woman), जामाई (son-in-law), नणंद (sister-in-law), नणदोई (brother-in-law), भत्रीजो (nephew), धोबी (washerman), रंगरेज (dyer), राजपूत (warrior/nobleman).
Objects and Actions: भातुं (breakfast), रजाई (quilt), ओढणुं (veil/shawl), ओशीकुं (pillow), तलवार (sword), कावड (carrying pole), भात (rice), कोठो (room), जाजम (carpet), छेकडी (tool for making holes).
Abstract Concepts: व्याकुलता (anxiety), खेद (sorrow), चिंता (worry), रळियामणो (beautiful), रानोताई (bravery), सुखभर्यु (comfortable), दुःख आपनालं (troublesome).
Animal Names/Descriptions: लोंकडी (fox-like creature), रेशमनो कीडो (silkworm).
Various other words related to daily life, actions, and descriptions.

Conclusion:

The document "Ek Futkal Patra Antargat Shabdayadi" is a scholarly endeavor to preserve and explain linguistic heritage. It meticulously analyzes a collection of Old Gujarati words, providing critical insights into their origins, meanings, and linguistic connections, particularly highlighting the significant influence of the "Uktiratnakar" text on medieval Gujarati vocabulary. The work is valuable for researchers and students of Jain literature and the Gujarati language.