Grantho Ki Suraksha Me Rajasthan Ke Jaino Ka Yogadan

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Grantho ki Suraksha me Rajasthan ke Jaino ka Yogadan" (The Contribution of Jains of Rajasthan in the Preservation of Manuscripts) by Kasturchand Kasliwal:

The article highlights the significant role played by the Jain community in Rajasthan in the preservation and collection of manuscripts, deeming their contribution as unparalleled in India.

A Rich Heritage of Manuscript Preservation:

• Nationwide Efforts: The author begins by acknowledging the widespread efforts across India to preserve handwritten manuscripts, citing prominent government institutions like the Bhandarkar Oriental Institute in Pune, Saraswati Mahal Library in Tanjore, and the Bengal Asiatic Society in Kolkata, as well as social institutions like the L.D. Institute in Ahmedabad.
• Rajasthan's Prominence: However, the text asserts that Rajasthan holds a paramount position in this regard. During the Muslim rule, the Maharajas of Rajasthan collected thousands of manuscripts in their private collections, safeguarding them from invasions and the ravages of time (like termites and dampness).
• Post-Independence Efforts: The establishment of the Oriental Research Institute in Jodhpur after India's independence, with a collection exceeding one lakh manuscripts, is also praised. The private collections of former rulers of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Alwar are noted for their extensive manuscript holdings.
• Unmatched Jain Collections: The article emphasizes that, beyond these, Rajasthan possesses the largest number of Jain manuscript repositories, housing not less than three lakh manuscripts in total.

The Jain Community's Dedication:

• Peaceful and Devoted Society: The Jain community in Rajasthan is described as peaceful and devotional. Jains have historically resided in significant numbers and held positions of influence in the administration of princely states like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bundi, Dungarpur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, Jhalawar, and Sirohi.
• Unwavering Commitment to Preservation: The author stresses that Jain acharyas (monks), sadhus (ascetics), yatis (celibate mendicants), and shravakas (lay followers) made exceptional efforts in the security and collection of manuscripts. The Jain community dedicated their lives to this cause, prioritizing the safety of texts above all else, even in times of crisis.
• Unique and Extensive Repositories: Major manuscript repositories in Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Udaipur, and Ajmer are declared unique in the country, housing ancient palm-leaf and paper manuscripts.
• Linguistic Diversity: These repositories contain not only Sanskrit texts on poetry, biography, drama, Puranas, stories, and other subjects but also a vast collection of Prākrit and Apabhraṃśa language works, and a significant body of Hindi and Rajasthani literature. Crucially, some of these texts are only available in these Jain repositories.

The Process of Preservation and Writing:

• Skilled Scribes and Centers: The article mentions that these manuscript repositories employed skilled pandits (scholars) who diligently copied texts. Major Jain centers like Amer, Nagaur, Ajmer, Sagwada, Jaipur, and Kama were significant hubs for manuscript writing.
• The Laborious Task: The process of writing manuscripts was arduous, involving physically taxing postures and meticulous attention to detail. The text includes a verse lamenting the difficulty of this work and urging readers to handle the texts with care: "The scripture written with difficulty, with a broken back, waist, and neck, hunched over and with eyes lowered, should be carefully preserved." Another verse highlights the potential for errors due to the demanding nature of the work.
• Materials and Inks: The preservation of manuscripts included careful selection of materials. While palm leaves and paper were common, cloth and copper plates were also used. A 17th-century manuscript of a "pratishtha-path" (consecration text) written on cloth, preserved in a Jaipur repository, is noted for its illustrations. Copper and mixed-metal plates were also found in temples. The text also details the ingredients for ink used on palm leaves, aiming for durability and clarity.
• Qualities of a Scribe: The desired qualities of a scribe were also described, including knowledge of all scripts and languages, intelligence, eloquence, courage, a nimble hand, and self-control.

Key Manuscript Discoveries and Dating:

• Jaisalmer's Treasures: The Jaisalmer Jain Shastra Bhandar is particularly highlighted for its ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. The oldest among these is the "Ogha Niyukti Vritti" from Sambat 1117, and the "Kuvalayamala" by Udyotan Suri from 1082.
• Priceless Collections: Other significant ancient manuscripts found in Rajasthan's Jain repositories include:
  • "Vipaka Sutra" by Abhayadevacharya (Sambat 1128)
  • "Chhandonushasan" by Jayakeertisuri (Sambat 1135)
  • "Bhagavati Sutra" by Abhayadevacharya (Sambat 1138)
  • "Paum Charkhi" by Vibhatnasuri (Sambat 1141), written during the reign of Maharaja Sri Jaysingh Dev.
  • "Upadesha Padaprakarana" with commentary by Vardhmansuri (written in Ajmer, Sambat 1212).
  • "Chandraprabhaswami Charitra" by Yashodev Suri (Sambat 1160), transcribed by Pandit Abhaykumar of the Brahman Gachha.
  • "Bhagavati Sutra" (Sambat 1231) transcribed by Hanachandra.
  • "Vyavahara Sutra" (Sambat 1236) transcribed by Jinbandhur.
  • "Mahavira Charitra" by Gunachandrasuri (Sambat 1242).
  • "Bhavana Prakarana" by Mallidhari Hemchandrasuri (Sambat 1260).
• Rare Papyrus and Other Works: Beyond palm leaves, paper manuscripts of similar antiquity are also carefully preserved. The article also mentions manuscripts of "Kavyadarsha" by the great poet Dandi (Sambat 1104) and "Kavyalankara" by Rudrat (Sambat 1206) with Namisadhu's commentary.

Preservation of Non-Jain Texts:

• Inclusivity in Preservation: A crucial point made is that Jain acharyas and lay followers did not discriminate in their preservation efforts. They diligently protected and collected non-Jain texts with the same rigor as Jain scriptures.
• Copying and Commentary: They personally copied non-Jain works or had them copied by other scholars. Many valuable texts are now only extant due to their efforts.
• Scholarly Contributions: Jain scholars not only preserved non-Jain works but also wrote commentaries and treatises on them, contributing to their promotion and dissemination.
• Vast Range of Subjects: The Jain repositories in Rajasthan house hundreds of works on poetry, stories, grammar, Ayurveda, astrology, and mathematics. They also contain collections of Smritis, Upanishads, and Samhitas, with the Jaipur's Patodi temple holding around 500 such texts.

Preservation of Classical Sanskrit Literature:

• Key Works and Commentaries: Ancient manuscripts of Mammaṭa's "Kāvyaprakāśa" (Sambat 1215), Someshvara's "Kāvyādarsha" (Sambat 1126), Rudrata's "Kāvyālaṅkāra" (Sambat 1206), Kuttaka's "Vakrokti Jīvita," Vāsan Kavi's "Kāvyālaṅkāra," Rajashekhara's "Kāvya Mīmāṁsā," and Udbhata's "Alaṅkāra Saṅgraha" are found in these repositories.
• Works of Great Poets: The repositories also hold ancient manuscripts of works by eminent Sanskrit poets like Kālidāsa, Māgha, Bhāravi, Harsha, Halāyudha, and Bhadrī. Some repositories have more than one copy, with one reaching up to 20.
• Commentaries on Classics: These collections include valuable commentaries by poets like Gunaratnasuri, Charitravardhana, Mallinath, Samayasundar, Dharmabhairu, and Shanti Vijay. The only copy of the commentary on Kiratārjunīya by Prakash Varsha, son of Harsha of Kashmir, is in the Amer Shastra Bhandar, Jaipur.
• Philosophical Texts: Manuscripts of Udayanacharya's "Kiranavali" with commentary, and Sāṅkhya Saptati (Sambat 1427) are available in the Amer Shastra Bhandar. An ancient palm-leaf manuscript of the same work with commentary from Sambat 1200 is in Jaisalmer. Sāṅkhyatattvakaumudī by Vācaspati Miśra and other manuscripts of Sāṅkhya Saptati by Īśvarakṛṣṇa are also present.
• Yogic Philosophy: Manuscripts of Pātañjala Yoga Darśana Bhāṣya (Vācaspati Harsha Miśra) and Praśastapādabhāṣya (12th century) are also preserved.
• Sanskrit Dramas: Manuscripts of Sanskrit dramas by Kālidāsa, Murāri, Viśākhadatta, and Bhaṭṭa Nārāyaṇa are also found, including Viśākhadatta's "Mudrārākṣasa," Murāri's "Anargha Rāghava," Kṛṣṇa Miśra's "Prabodhachandrodaya," and Subandhu's "Vāsavadattā."

Preservation of Apabhraṃśa Literature:

• Significant Collections: A large portion of Apabhraṃśa literature is found in the repositories of Jaipur, Nagaur, Ajmer, and Udaipur.
• Major Poets: Ancient manuscripts of Mahakavi Svayambhu's "Paumchariu" and "Riddhanoumicariu" are in Jaipur and Ajmer. Commentaries on "Paumchariu" are also available. Works by Mahakavi Pushpadanta like "Mahapurana," "Jasaharachariu," and "Namakumara Charita" are also present, with the oldest "Uttarapurana" manuscript (Sambat 1391) in Jaipur.
• Nayanandi's Works: Jaipur repositories hold the most extensive collection of manuscripts of Mahakavi Nayanandi, an 11th-century Apabhraṃśa poet. One manuscript of his "Samala Vihivihana Kavya" is unique to the Amer Shastra Bhandar.
• Vir's Popularity: Vir's "Jambu Swami Charita," known for its romantic and heroic verses, was popular, with many copies in Jaipur and Amer.
• Rai-dhu's Extensive Collection: The majority of works by Rai-dhu, the prolific Apabhraṃśa poet who wrote over 20 narrative poems, are available in Rajasthan's Jain repositories.
• Other Apabhraṃśa Poets: Hundreds of works by other Apabhraṃśa poets like Yashahkirti, Pandit Lakha, Harisena, Shrutkirti, Padmakirti, Shridhar, Singh, Dhanpal, Shri Chand, Jayamishra, Narasen, Amarkirti, Ganidevsen, Manikyaraj, and Bhagwatidas are also preserved.
• Last Apabhraṃśa Poet: A manuscript of "Mṛgāṅkalekhācharita" by Bhagwatidas, the last Apabhraṃśa poet of the 18th century, is in the Amer Shastra Bhandar, Jaipur. This poet was also proficient in Hindi and had over 20 available works.

Preservation of Hindi and Rajasthani Literature:

• Extensive Holdings: Similar to Sanskrit, Prākrit, and Apabhraṃśa, Jain repositories have ensured the complete preservation of Hindi and Rajasthani language works. This has led to the discovery of rare works in these languages, with expectations for more in the future.
• Epic Poems: Manuscripts of the famous Hindi epic "Prithviraj Raso" are found in Kota, Bikaner, and Churu. "Bisaldev Raso" manuscripts are available in Abhaygranthalaya, Bikaner, and Kharataragachh Jain Shastra Bhandar, Kota.
• Rajasthani Classics: Commentaries on the famous Rajasthani work "Krishna Rukmini Beli" are preserved in these repositories. Manuscripts of "Bihari Satsai," "Rasiksiyā," "Jaitsi Raso," "Vaitāl Pachchisi," and "Vilhana Charit Chaupai" are also stored.
• Early Hindi Works: Rare manuscripts of Raj Singh Kavi's "Jindatt Charit" (Sambat 1354) and Sadhana Kavi's "Pradyumna Charit" (Sambat 1411) from the early period of Hindi literature are in Jaipur's Jain repositories. These are crucial for understanding lost links in Hindi literary history.
• Mystic and Folk Traditions: Works by followers of Kabir and Gorakhnath are also present, requiring deeper study. Ancient manuscripts of "Madhumalti Katha," "Sinhasan Battisi," and "Madhavanal Prabandh Katha" are also preserved.
• Unpublished Treasures: The Jain repositories in Rajasthan have preserved more Hindi and Rajasthani works than any other repository. They contain hundreds of prose and verse works by Jain poets, including various forms like Raso, Beli, Phagu, Dhamaal, Chaupai, Doha, Barahkhadi, Vilas, Geet, Satsai, Pachchisi, Battisi, Satavee, Panchashika, and Shatak. There is a vast collection of works from the 13th to the 16th centuries that remain unpublished and largely unknown.
• Brahma Jinda Das's Contributions: Over fifty works by Brahma Jinda Das remain obscure to scholars.
• Daulatram's Recently Published Works: The recent publication of two significant works by Mahakavi Daulatram, "Jivandhar Swami Charit" and "Vivek Vilas," is noted. Daulatram, an 18th-century poet, wrote over 18 high-quality compositions.

Artistic and Illustrated Manuscripts:

• Illustrated Treasures: Beyond manuscripts, these Jain repositories have also preserved artistic and illustrated works.
• Kālakāchārya's Kalpasutra: Several illustrated manuscripts of the Kalpasutra are considered outstanding artistic achievements. One such Kalpasutra manuscript by Kalakacharya in the Jaisalmer Shastra Bhandar is dated to the 15th century.
• Adinath Purana: A manuscript of Adinath Purana from Sambat 1461 (1404 AD) in the Amer Shastra Bhandar, Jaipur, features illustrations of the 16 dreams, considered artistically significant.
• Other Illustrated Works: Illustrated manuscripts of Adinath Purana, Jasaharachariu, Yashodhar Charit, Bhaktamar Stotra, and Namokar Mahatmya Katha in other Rajasthan repositories are also noted as excellent examples of painting art, contributing to the glory of Indian painting.

In conclusion, the article powerfully argues that the Jain community in Rajasthan has played an indispensable role in safeguarding India's literary and artistic heritage, particularly through their dedication to preserving a vast and diverse collection of manuscripts, many of which are unique and invaluable.