Gurjar Jain Kavio Ki Hindi Sahitya Ko Den - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gurjar Jain Kavio ki Hindi Sahitya ko Den" by Hariprasad G Shastri, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Gurjar Jain Kavio ki Hindi Sahitya ko Den (The Contribution of Jain Poets of Gujarat to Hindi Literature) Author: Dr. Hariprasad G Shastri ("Harish") Publisher: Jawahar Pustakalaya, Mathura Key Focus: This scholarly work, a PhD dissertation accepted by Gujarat University, meticulously examines the Hindi poetry produced by Jain poets from the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions, primarily focusing on the 17th and 18th centuries. It aims to bring to light and evaluate the rich but often overlooked literary contributions of these poets to Hindi literature.

Central Thesis: The book argues that Hindi, due to its widespread reach and progressive nature, has served as a unifying force for India. The Jain poets of Gujarat (referred to as "Gurjar Jain poets") recognized this power of Hindi and, in turn, contributed significantly to its literature, creating a body of work that remained largely unknown or neglected for centuries. This research endeavors to uncover, analyze, and critically appreciate this valuable literary heritage.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Gujarat's Linguistic Heritage: The author highlights that Hindi was in use in Gujarat centuries before the present day, with literary and historical evidence supporting this claim. Gujarat, being adjacent to Hindi-speaking regions and influenced by various religious sects (Vallabh Sampradaya, Swaminarayan, Santmat, Sufi, and Jainism), provided a fertile ground for Hindi's growth.
Jainism's Influence: The book emphasizes the significant contribution of Jain poets to Indian literature, tracing their creative flow from Sanskrit to Prakrit, Apabhramsa, and various regional languages, including Hindi.
The 17th and 18th Centuries: This period (Vikram era 17th and 18th centuries) is identified as particularly rich in Jain poets and their Hindi literary output in terms of both quantity and quality. The study focuses on this specific timeframe due to the availability of a high caliber of poets and their works.

Methodology and Scope:

Research Sources: The author extensively utilized handwritten manuscripts and published books from various libraries and research institutions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, including Abhay Jain Granthalaya (Bikaner), Rajasthan Prachya Vidya Pratishthan (Jodhpur), Sahitya Shodh Vibhag (Jaipur), Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir (Ahmedabad), and Hemchandracharya Gyan Bhandar (Patan), among others.
Contribution: The study is considered original and groundbreaking because it unearths a previously unexplored subject: the Hindi literary works of medieval Jain poets from Gujarat and Rajasthan. It also provides a systematic analysis and evaluation of their literary merit.
Definition of "Gurjar Jain Poet": A poet is considered "Gurjar Jain" if they were born into a Jain family or converted to Jainism, born in Gujarat, chose Gujarat as their field of spiritual and literary activity, or, even if not from Gujarat, composed poetry in Gujarati alongside Hindi.
Language: The study acknowledges the use of various Hindi dialects and Prakrit-influenced languages, recognizing that the term "Hindi" is used in a broad sense to encompass a literary tradition that includes Rajasthani, Avadhi, Braj Bhasha, and Khadi Boli, as well as earlier forms like Apabhramsa.

Key Findings and Analysis:

The book is structured into three main sections: Introduction, Introduction of Poets, and Literary Criticism. It then delves into specific aspects of the poets' work:

I. Introduction Section:

Motivation: The author was inspired by the rich collection of Jain manuscripts in Patan and the realization that while Gujarati literature by Jain scholars was well-researched, their Hindi works were largely neglected.
Scope: The study focuses on the Hindi poetry of Jain poets from the 17th and 18th centuries (Vikram Samvat).
Significance: The subject is important due to the lack of prior research, the high literary quality and quantity of the works, the exploration of spirituality within a specific sectarian context, and the contribution to understanding Hindi's national character.

II. Introduction of Poets (Chapters 2 & 3):

17th Century Poets: The book lists and briefly introduces a significant number of Jain poets from the 17th century (around 81 poets, with approximately 274 Hindi works mentioned). Notable poets and their contributions are discussed, including Nayan Sundar (known for Hindi-Gujarati mixed works), Shubhra Chandra Bhattarak (a prolific scholar and poet with extensive Sanskrit and Hindi works), Brahma Jayasagar (known for simple, devotional, and allegorical poetry), Ratnakirti Bhattarak (a talented poet with a significant body of work), and Samayasundar (a prominent scholar and poet whose works are extensive and varied).
18th Century Poets: Similarly, a large number of poets from the 18th century are introduced, highlighting their contributions. Prominent figures include Anandghan (a highly influential mystic poet), Yashovijayji (a philosopher-poet who synthesized different traditions), Jnanavimal Suri, Dharmavardhan, and many others, showcasing the continuation and expansion of Hindi poetic activity among Jain scholars.

III. Literary Criticism Section (Chapters 4-7):

Chapter 4: Subject Matter (Vastu-Paksha):
- Bhakti (Devotion): Explores the nature of devotion in Jain Sadhana, emphasizing its integration with spiritual practice, rather than being solely an emotional outpouring. It details how Jain-Gurjar poets expressed devotion through hymns, prayers, and allegorical poetry.
- Thought (Vichar): Analyzes the poets' reflections on social realities, contemporary issues, religious doctrines, philosophical ideas (especially Jain metaphysics like Anekantavada and Syadvada), and ethical principles.
- Nature Description (Prakriti Nirupan): Examines how nature was used both as a descriptive element and as a symbolic vehicle for conveying spiritual or moral messages.
Chapter 5: Artistry (Kala-Paksha):
- Language (Bhasha): Discusses the linguistic nuances, including the use of vernacular Gujarati and Rajasthani influences alongside Hindi, the presence of Braj Bhasha and early Khadi Boli elements, and the impact of Sanskrit and Prakrit. The summary notes the blend of languages and dialects, often with a strong Gujarati influence due to the poets' origins and migratory patterns.
- Rhythm and Musicality (Chhand aur Sangeet Vidhan): Highlights the use of various traditional Hindi meters and the integration of musical elements (ragas and talas) in their devotional songs and poetic compositions.
- Figurative Language (Alankar Vidhan): Analyzes the application of figures of speech like metaphors, similes, and personification to enhance the poetic expression.
- Symbolism (Pratik Vidhan): Explores the use of symbols to convey deeper spiritual and philosophical meanings.
Chapter 6: Poetic Forms (Kavya Roop):
- The chapter meticulously categorizes the diverse poetic forms employed by the poets, including:
  - Theme/Meter-based: Ras, Chaupai, Veli, Chandalia, Ghazal, Chhand, Nisaani, Kundaliya, Chhappay, Doha, Savaiya, Pingal.
  - Raga/Dance-based: Vivahalo, Mangal, Prabhavati, Ragmala, Bathava, Gahuli.
  - Religious Instruction: Puja, Sloka, Kalasha, Vandana, Stuti, Stavana, Stotra, Geet, Sajjhay, Vinti, Pad.
  - Numerically-based: Ashtak, Visi, Chauvisi, Battisi, Chhattis, Bavani, Bahottari, Shatak.
  - Seasonal/Festivals: Phag, Dhamal, Holi, Barahmasa, Chaumasa.
  - Narrative/Poetic: Prabandh, Charitra, Samvad, Akhyan, Katha, Varta.
  - Miscellaneous: Pravahan, Vahan, Deepika, Chandrawala, Chunari, Sukhadi, Antara, Duvadavet, Namamala, Dodhak, Jakadi, Hiyali, Dhrupad, Kulak.
Chapter 7: Evaluation and Conclusion:
- Evaluation: Places the Jain poets within the broader context of Hindi Bhakti literature, comparing them with other Sant poets and analyzing their unique contributions. It acknowledges the mystic (Rahasyavadi) elements and similarities in their Guru philosophies.
- Cultural Significance: Assesses the importance of their work for cultural unity and national integration, especially in connecting different regions and fostering inter-religious harmony.
- Conclusion: Reaffirms the significant and often overlooked contribution of these poets to Hindi literature, emphasizing the need for further research and appreciation of this rich spiritual and poetic legacy.

Overall Contribution: The book is a monumental work that sheds light on a vital, yet understudied, segment of Hindi literature. It reveals how Jain poets, deeply rooted in their spiritual traditions, effectively utilized Hindi to express profound philosophical, devotional, and ethical ideas, enriching the linguistic and literary landscape of India. The detailed listing of poets and their works serves as an invaluable resource for future scholarship in Indian Indology and literature.