Gudartha Dohao Ane Anya Samagri Paramparagat Lokvarsanu Jatan

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This document, titled "Gudartha Dohao ane Anya Samagri Paramparagat Lokvarsanu Jatan" (Gudartha Dohao and Other Material: Preservation of Traditional Folk Heritage), edited by Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru and published by ZZ_Anusandhan, is a collection and study of traditional Gujarati oral literature and its preservation.

The introduction highlights the rich tradition of oral literature in Gujarati, including subhashitos (wise sayings), lokokti (proverbs), ukhanan (riddles), prahelika (enigmas), samasya (puzzles), and gudartha uktio (enigmatic sayings). These forms were extensively used in daily life, preserved by word of mouth for centuries, and incorporated by Jain and non-Jain poets and storytellers into their works. The author emphasizes that medieval Gujarati literature was not constrained by narrow concepts of copyright or originality; instead, there was a practice of integrating anything perceived as beneficial for the spiritual and entertainment needs of the people. This included adapting and translating sayings from Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, other Indian languages, and oral traditions into Gujarati to enrich their prose and poetry.

The text also mentions the existence of manuscripts in Gujarat's archives, such as 'Subhashita Ratna Bhandagar', which contain such adapted and compiled material. It clarifies that "old Gujarati" refers to the Sadhukkadi language, prevalent throughout India during the medieval period, particularly in the north, east, and west. This Sadhukkadi was considered a national language by the writers of that era, enabling saints, devotees, and poets from various regions to create works in it while maintaining their local dialects. This shared linguistic space allowed for a certain uniformity in the philosophical vocabulary, spiritual terminology, musical styles, ragas, talas, and modes found in the devotional literature of different Indian regions.

The Core of the Document: A Specific Manuscript

The main focus of the document is a specific manuscript titled "Gudartha ka Doha" (Enigmatic Doha). The author recounts how he received a Xerox copy of this four-leaf manuscript, written on both sides, from Acharya Shri Vijayashilchandra Suriji Maharaj during his Chaturmas (a four-month monastic retreat) in Khambhat.

The manuscript, according to its colophon, was written in Samvat 1962 (1905 AD) on a Sunday, by Ami Rakhe (Rikhe), a disciple of Hirarakhe, who was a disciple of Bhanji Rikhi of the Khambhat Sampradaya, in the village of Vyavmanda (Taluka Ambada) in the Aurangabad district of South India. It was written for his own use.

Structure and Content of the Manuscript:

The manuscript is organized into sections, with headings written in the margins:

• Page 1: "Gudartha Doha" (Enigmatic Doha) 1
• Page 2: "Sajjan-Durjan" (The Virtuous and the Vicious) 2
• Page 3: "Sajjan-Durjan" 3
• Page 4: "Upadeshi Chutka" (Instructive Snippets)

The writing style is continuous. The first page has 22 lines, followed by pages 2 through 5 with 21 lines each. Page 6 has 22 lines, and the final page (page 7) has 19.5 lines.

Detailed Breakdown of Content:

1. Gudartha Dohao (Enigmatic Doha): The manuscript begins with 42 dohas where the doha is written, followed by two vertical lines, and then its meaning. Following these are seven special dohas. These dohas describe characteristics in three lines and then pose a question in the fourth line, asking for the identification of the subject, such as "Say, friend, the virtuous one?" The answers are given in a way that rhymes with the third line, e.g., "No, friend, a fan," "No, friend, a bangle," "No, friend, the moon."

2. Prahelika-like Dohao (Riddle-like Doha): After the enigmatic dohas, there are four dohas presented as riddles, with their answers provided alongside.

3. Sajjan-ka Doha (Dohas of the Virtuous): Following this, under the heading "Atha Sajjan-ka Doha Lishye-te," there are eight dohas.

4. Names and Characteristics of Women: This section lists fifteen names of women and the characteristics of four types of women.

5. Miscellaneous Dohao: Subsequently, around seventy dohas cover various topics like separation (viraha), characteristics of the virtuous, dharma, advice, and subhashitas. This section appears to be a collection of miscellaneous material without a strict editorial plan.

6. Other Content: The manuscript also includes:

   • Muslim Sher and Ghazals: Urdu couplets and love poems.
   • Upadesha-na Savaiyya by Rikha Lalchandji: Stanzas of advice by a specific author.
   • Chutka and Chutak Doha: Snippets and isolated dohas.
   • Other compilations.

The editor notes that some of the meanings provided for the gudartha dohas were not fully understood, indicated by question marks and alternative readings in parentheses, possibly collected from oral traditions. Many of these dohas are known to be popular and in circulation elsewhere. The editor humbly requests that knowledgeable scholars provide more detailed insights into these verses.

Examples of Enigmatic Dohas and their Answers:

The document provides examples of these dohas and their answers, which are often objects or concepts:

• "Raj kaaj gun aaglo bhitar changi deh..." (Example: Coconut)
• "Aabha sarikho ujalo tara sarikho ghaat..." (Example: Mirror)
• "Kukh kalo mukh ujalo chale mopala sang..." (Example: Elephant)
• "Rato phool gulabno mahi dhavali chithariya..." (Example: A certain type of garment worn by men)

The document continues with numerous other riddles and dohas, often followed by their answers, which are quite diverse and reveal common objects, natural phenomena, and social practices. Examples include: Tarwar (Sword), Tid (Grasshopper/Cricket), Diwo (Lamp), Kera (Earrings), Kagal (Crow), Panko Bido (Betel Leaf), Barchi (Spear), Din (Day), Kasav (Tortoise), Sui (Needle), Darshan (Sight), Pavati (Success/Leaf), Dard (Pain), Akshar (Letter), Chak Kumbh (Potter's Wheel), Agni (Fire), Lun (Salt), Trusha (Thirst), Keri (Mango), Taraju (Scales), Kapas (Cotton), Vengan (Eggplant), Kalam (Pen), Chandrama (Moon), Chakra (Wheel), Varvadi (Well), Ambo (Mango Tree), Hoka (Hookah), Laving (Clove), etc.

The section on "Sajjan-ka Doha" offers advice on virtuous conduct, friendship, and life principles. The "Nari-na Padre Nam" lists various names for women. The "Char Prakar Ki Stri" categorizes women based on their nature.

The manuscript concludes with the colophon detailing its creation and location. The publication details provide contact information for the Anand Ashram in Ghoghavadar.

In essence, the book is a valuable contribution to the study of Gujarati folklore and literature, specifically focusing on the preservation and analysis of a traditional manuscript containing enigmatic sayings, riddles, moral advice, and other forms of folk poetry, highlighting the continuity and adaptation of oral traditions in medieval Gujarat.