Gyanoddharaka Muni Punyavijayji - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text about Muni Punyavijayji:

This text, titled "Gyanoddharaka Muni Punyavijayji" and authored by Atmanandji, is an exploration of the life and significant contributions of Muni Punyavijayji, a prominent Jain monk.

The introduction highlights Muni Punyavijayji's life as a testament to the pursuit of pure, selfless, and humble knowledge as the primary means to understand oneself and the universe. His dedication to knowledge and truth made him a radiant example, imbuing him with divine qualities like fearlessness, non-violence, and compassion. His renunciation was characterized by joy, and his inner worship of the divine made his life blissful. He is recognized as a distinguished religious figure from Gujarat whose unparalleled work in "Gyanoddhar" (the revival and restoration of knowledge) is eternally memorable for preserving the scholarly heritage of Jain Dharma and culture.

Birth, Hometown, and Parents: Muni Punyavijayji was born in the city of Kapadvanj on Kartik Sud Panchami (Gyana Panchami or Labh Panchami) in VS 1952. His birth name was Manilal. His mother, Manekben, was deeply devoted to religion and, despite the lack of female education at the time, studied six grades of Gujarati and religious texts like Pratikraman, Jiv-vichar, and Nav-tattva. His father was Dahyabhai Doshi. The family had five children, but only one survived, who was Manilal. Kapadvanj itself was a city steeped in religious faith, known for its residents embracing asceticism, renunciation, and self-discipline. Kapadvanj holds the distinction of being the birthplace of two eminent monks who dedicated themselves to reviving the Agam Granths (Jain scriptures): Acharya Sagarannandasuri Maharaj and Muni Punyavijayji Maharaj.

The text recounts a dramatic incident from Manilal's childhood. When he was only a few months old, his house caught fire while his mother was at the river. A kind Vohra gentleman rescued the infant from the burning house and brought him to his own home. Manekben, upon returning and finding her home destroyed and her child presumed lost, was devastated. The Vohra gentleman, unaware of the child's family, cared for him and eventually, after Manekben's frantic search, the child was reunited with his mother. This event is described as a divine intervention, a sign of "Ram's protection."

After this incident, Dahyabhai brought his wife and son to Mumbai. Manilal received his primary education there. However, tragedy struck when Manekben was widowed at the young age of 26. This loss intensified her spiritual inclination. Faced with the dilemma of her son, Manilal, who was then fourteen, both mother and son decided to take diksha (initiation).

Diksha, Guru, and Scholarly Study: In VS 1965, on Maha Vadi Panchami, Manilal took diksha in the village of Chhani near Vadodara, becoming Muni Punyavijayji, a disciple of Munivar Shri Chaturvijayji. Two days later, his mother, Manekben, took diksha in Palitana and was named Shri Ratnashriji, becoming a disciple of Shri Mohanlalji Maharaj. Muni Punyavijayji's grandfather-guru was Pravartak Shri Kantivijayji Maharaj, an exemplary ascetic devoted to ahimsa, self-control, and penance. His guru, Shri Chaturvijayji Maharaj, was equally generous, practical, dedicated, and a continuous scholar. Both his grandfather-guru and guru were dedicated to the noble goals of knowledge acquisition and revival.

Muni Punyavijayji's life after diksha was characterized by parallel pursuits of study and scriptural research. He himself notes that his studies were rarely continuous or focused on one subject. He attributes this to past life impressions, the grace of elders, and the ripening of his knowledge-inhibiting karma, which led him to engage in both study and research simultaneously. His sharp intellect, longing for truth, intense curiosity, and patience were the foundations of his deep exploration of subjects.

In his first year of diksha, under the guidance of his gurus, he deeply studied all the Prakaran Granths, laying the foundation for his scriptural knowledge. He then studied Magopadeshika, Siddh-Hem Laghuvrutti, Hem-Lagu-Prakriya, Chandraprabha Vyakarana, Hitopadesha, Dashakumar-Charita, Kavyanushasan, Nilakanthamani, Tarka-sangraha, and Chandanushasan from eminent scholars like Pandit Shri Nityanand Shastri and Pandit Shri Sukhlalji. His studies with Pandit Sukhlalji were particularly influential, as Panditji not only taught him but also shared knowledge through oral discourse, broadening his perspective. Pandit Sukhlalji is described as his primary Vidya Guru, second only to his diksha guru, Shri Chaturvijayji Maharaj.

Excellent Work of Gyanoddhar (Revival of Knowledge): Muni Punyavijayji's work in reviving knowledge was extraordinary and greatly benefited society. He was so absorbed in examining ancient manuscripts and collections that he would forget to eat, rest, or sleep, appearing like a yogi in deep meditation. Observing him engrossed in this work was considered a privilege.

The text emphasizes the vast and astonishing scope of Muni Punyavijayji's solo efforts in Gyanoddhar. The full value of his work will be understood by future generations and scholars worldwide engaged in the study and research of Indian knowledge. His key contributions to the revival of knowledge include:

Revival of Manuscript Libraries: He, along with his gurus, examined and organized numerous manuscript collections in various locations across Gujarat and Rajasthan. He prepared inventories and detailed catalogs for some, and even managed the physical arrangement of collections, including shelves, boxes, and cupboards. He saved many ancient libraries from extinction. His efforts in preserving the libraries of Jaisalmer, which involved sixteen months of rigorous penance and hardship, are particularly highlighted as inspiring and thrilling. During this work, he found helpers and established the Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir, a prestigious institution, to which he gifted his extensive personal collection of thousands of valuable manuscripts.
Progress in Agam Research: Agam Sutras are the lifeblood of Jain Dharma and culture. Muni Punyavijayji undertook the monumental task of studying Jain Agams with a modern approach and preparing new recensions. He meticulously studied about forty-five Jain Agams, along with their Niyukti, Churni, Bhashya, and Tika commentaries. With the help of dedicated scribes, he began preparing critical editions. Despite financial constraints, he maintained his ascetic vow. In 1947-48, Seth Kasturbhai Lalbhai learned of his work, was impressed, and promised to fund the scribes and support his research. The new recensions he prepared, following the last recensions made about fifteen hundred years prior under Shri Devardhigani Kshamashramana in Vallabhi, are considered invaluable contributions to Jainism and the field of modern textual editing. Two of his works, Nandisutram with Churni and Nandisutram with various Tika commentaries, were published in 1966-68. In recognition of this monumental effort, he was fittingly given the title "Agam Prabhakar" (Radiant Agam). He also dedicated funds from various events to Agam publications.
Specific Actions in Gyanoddhar:
- Ensured the preservation of handwritten manuscripts.
- Facilitated the creation of informative catalogs for manuscripts.
- Arranged for manuscripts to be easily accessible to scholars in India and abroad for their benefit.
- Compiled and organized manuscripts, correcting any misplaced pages, repairing torn ones, and treating them with protective agents to ensure their longevity and prevent damage from insects.
- Acquired, preserved, and categorized ancient scriptures, ancient and modern paintings, sculptures, architectural samples, wooden and metal artifacts, small and large idols, and illustrated manuscripts, making them useful for scholars.

This work was driven by his unique insight, foresight, continuous effort, detachment, and unparalleled devotion to Jain Dharma. He drew inspiration and continuous guidance from great souls like Shri Vijaynemisurishwarji Maharaj, Shri Kantivijayji Maharaj, Shri Chaturvijayji Maharaj, and Shri Vijaydharmasurishwarji Maharaj.

Recognition of Knowledge Pursuit: Muni Punyavijayji's immense and era-defining work in Gyanoddhar received due recognition during his lifetime. He was appointed an examiner for Ph.D. theses in Oriental studies. In 1959, he presided over the History and Archaeology section of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad conference. He was honored with a gold medal by the Bhavnagar community, the title "Agam Prabhakar" by the Vadodara community, and "Shrut-Shil-Varidhi" (Ocean of Scriptural Conduct) by the Mumbai community. In 1970, he became an honorary member of the American Oriental Society.

Later Life: He was so engrossed in his studies that he would often forget his ailments. In the monsoon of 1955, he was afflicted with severe dysentery. Despite suffering for about eighteen months, he continued his scholarly pursuits, editing a dictionary and studying Nishith Churni, demonstrating his unwavering mental clarity, devotion, and knowledge even in ill health. Finally, on Monday, June 14, 1971, at 8:50 PM, after observing his Pratikraman and taking Santhara (vow of spiritual preparation for death), he passed away peacefully within minutes while conversing with Shri Lakshmanbhai. His final moments were filled with complete equanimity, peace, and composure, free from pain, attachment, or worldly affections. He lived and died as a practitioner of the Vitarag Dharma, cultivating detachment and illuminating his life.

Conclusion: The text concludes by describing Muni Punyavijayji as a living embodiment of Anekantavada (the doctrine of manifold aspects). His sharp intellect, nurtured by Anekantavada, was perpetually fruitful. His sixty-two years of diksha life were a continuous journey of action and an unbroken yajna (ritual of knowledge). He remained a lifelong student, befitting a true scholar. The Jain community and the world of literature have lost an ideal personality and a dedicated literary servant. The field of Agam literature has lost a rare luminary. The departure of Muni Punyavijayji, the "Agam Prabhakar," the devotee of purity, the ascetic, the silent literary worker, and the learned Muni-ratna, has created an immeasurable void. The Jain community has lost a priceless gem. The concluding thought is that remembering, honoring, and, to the best of our ability, following this beacon of knowledge is what lies within our capacity and interests.