Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth

This Jain text, "Hajarimalmuni Smruti Granth" by Shobhachad Bharilla, is a commemorative volume dedicated to the memory of Muni Shri Hajarimalji. The text provides a comprehensive account of his life, teachings, and the rich tradition he belonged to. Here's a summary of the provided pages:

Overall Scope:

The book is a tribute to Muni Shri Hajarimalji, a revered Jain saint. It aims to preserve his memory and disseminate his spiritual and philosophical teachings. The volume contains various contributions from scholars, disciples, and admirers, covering a wide range of topics related to Jainism, Jain philosophy, history, culture, and literature, with a special focus on the contributions of Rajasthani literature and scholars.

Key Sections and Content:

1. Publisher and Publication Details (Pages 3-4):

   • Publisher: Muni Shri Hajarimal Smruti Granth Prakashan Samiti, Byavar.
   • First Edition: 1965, with 1000 copies.
   • Price: Forty rupees.
   • Printer: Udyogshala Press, Delhi.
   • The committee and editorial board are listed, highlighting key figures like Shri Madhukar Muni (inspirer), Shobhachand Bharilla (chief editor), and Kumar Satyadarshi (art editor). A large list of committee members and financial supporters from various cities demonstrates the broad appeal and support for this endeavor.

2. Nivedan (Request/Preface) by Chimmansinh Lodha (Page 5):

   • Lodha expresses the view that praising and remembering saints purifies life and instills divine feelings.
   • He acknowledges his role as manager and expresses gratitude to his colleagues and contributors for fulfilling the responsibility.
   • He credits Udyogshala Press, Delhi, for the printing beauty and its manager, Shantilal V. Sheth, for taking a personal interest.
   • He thanks donors, committee members, and the treasurer, Khubchand Gadiya, for their support.
   • Special thanks are extended to the chief editor Pandit Shobhachandji Bharilla and art editor Kumar Satyadarshi for their immense labor.
   • He also mentions the generosity of the Kankaria Trust for offering a prize for an excellent essay.
   • He apologizes for any errors due to the haste in printing the final part.

3. Samarpan (Dedication) by Madhukar Muni (Page 6):

   • The book is dedicated to the feet of his elder spiritual brother, Swami Shri Brajalalji Maharaj, whose encouragement was instrumental in this work.

4. Granth ka Kalapaksh (The Artistic Aspect of the Book) by Kumar Satyadarshi (Page 7):

   • Satyadarshi discusses the aesthetic presentation of the book, emphasizing the importance of art in life and its connection to the spiritual.
   • He highlights the inclusion of illustrations, particularly the strip blocks at the bottom of each page, many of which are sourced from historical Jain scripture collections in Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, and Muni Kantisagarji's personal collection. These date from the 10th to the 16th century, showcasing the Jain monks' deep appreciation for scriptural writing and painting.
   • He mentions that the initial plan to include symbolic pictures at the beginning of each essay was abandoned due to the labor, time, and cost involved.
   • Illustrations at the end of essays are mostly related to Indian and specifically Jain archaeology, some dating back to the 7th century.
   • Professor Parmanand Goyal is credited with drawing most of the pictures, while Muni Shri Hajarimalji's oil portrait was painted by Kishanji Verma. The cover art is by Sukhdevji Duggal.
   • He expresses gratitude to Muni Shri Kantisagarji of Udaipur for his significant contribution in collecting the illustrations and providing suggestions.
   • Satyadarshi concludes by urging readers to appreciate the "unfettered moments" of accomplishment rather than focusing on the potential errors of a "careless person," echoing Muni Hajarimalji's teaching to dedicate oneself fully to responsibility until the end of life.

5. Madiya (Author's Note) by Madhukar Muni (Page 8-9):

   • Madhukar Muni reflects on the birth of the idea to create a commemorative volume after Muni Shri Hajarimalji Maharaj's demise in Nokha (Marwar) in V.S. 2018.
   • He received encouragement from Swami Shri Brajalalji Maharaj and approval from Seth Khivrajji Choradiya, who intended to establish a trust in Muni Hajarimalji's memory.
   • A meeting was held in Nokha to discuss the trust and the commemorative volume.
   • Pandit Shobhachandji Bharilla was requested to lead the editorial work and form an editorial team.
   • A publication committee was formed in Beawar, with Shri Chimmansinhji Lodha as the manager.
   • He praises Pandit Shobhachandji Bharilla as a respected scholar and Kumar Satyadarshi for the excellent artistic presentation.
   • He acknowledges the vast amount of labor involved and the cooperation of authors from India and abroad.
   • He reiterates that the selection policy was to include original, unpublished works. Works that were printed elsewhere or duplicated in theme were reduced.
   • He expresses gratitude to those who contributed, including Muni Shri Brijlal Maharaj for his strong inspiration, the editorial team, and Munis and Sathis who provided cooperation. He particularly mentions Sati Shri Umravkunwarji for her valuable input.
   • He asks for forgiveness for any unintentional flaws, acknowledging the difficulty of avoiding them in such a vast compilation.

6. Pradhan Sampadak ka Nivedan (Chief Editor's Appeal) by Shobhachad Bharilla (Page 14-16):

   • Bharilla recounts how he accepted the responsibility of editing the commemorative volume with certain conditions, initially unaware of its eventual scale.
   • He was motivated by Muni Muni's trust, the opportunity to further his literary pursuits, and most importantly, his deep reverence for Swami Shri Hajarimalji, whom he describes as an ideal saint embodying childlike simplicity, maternal compassion, and yogic detachment.
   • He highlights Muni Hajarimalji's amiable personality, sweet speech, and captivating demeanor.
   • He explains the initial vision of a 500-600 page book that expanded significantly due to the generous contributions of esteemed writers.
   • The editorial policy prioritized original, previously unpublished works.
   • He mentions the constraint of limited finances and time, necessitating the reduction of some submissions, for which he apologizes to the authors.
   • The book is divided into five chapters:
     1. Chapter 1: Brief biography of Swamiji, memoirs, tributes, and a section on the Sthanakvasi Jain tradition and its literature.
     2. Chapter 2: Essays on religion and philosophy.
     3. Chapter 3: Essays on history, archaeology, society, and culture.
     4. Chapter 4: Literary material.
     5. Chapter 5: Essays in English, mostly on Jain Dharma.
   • He notes the prominence of Jain philosophy, history, and archaeology, acknowledging a special place given to Rajasthani literature and writers due to the publication's origin in Beawar, Rajasthan.
   • He hopes the book will be useful for researchers and provide new insights to both Jain and non-Jain scholars.
   • He concludes by acknowledging the essential contribution of Shilpa Sampadak (Art Editor) Kumar Satyadarshi and the invaluable support and suggestions received from Muni Shri Kantisagarji of Udaipur.
   • He expresses thanks to the press management and staff, specifically mentioning Bhawansinghji and Baldev Krishna Suri for their diligent work.

7. Vishay Kramankan (Table of Contents) (Pages 16-19):

   • This section provides a detailed breakdown of the book's structure, listing the chapters and the essays within them, along with their authors. The chapters cover:
     • Chapter 1: Jivan, Sansmaran, Shraddhanjali aur Parampara Darshan (Life, Memoirs, Tributes, and Traditional Philosophy): Includes a biography of Muni Shri Hajarimalji, memoirs, tributes from various authors, and articles on figures like Sant Kavi Acharya Jaymallji, Acharya Shrirayachandji, Muni Rupchandji, Tilokrishi, Kavi Aryamishra, Lokashah, and the Sthanakvasi tradition.
     • Chapter 2: Darshan aur Dharm (Philosophy and Religion): Features essays on Jain philosophy, Jainism from foreign perspectives, the essence of right faith (Samyak Darshan), ethical principles, Jain practices, the philosophy of karma, the concept of destiny, the real nature of religion, spiritual stages (Gunasthan), Jain ethics, Jain philosophy and science, and the concept of Saptabhangi.
     • Chapter 3: Sanskriti, Samaj, Itihas aur Puratatva (Culture, Society, History, and Archaeology): Includes essays on Indian culture, pre-Aryan culture, Jain monastic governance, Jainism in society, Jain educational methods, Pushpadantacharya, Jain rulers in Karnataka, Jain culture in Upanishads, Puranas and Mahabharata, important historical figures like Chetaka and Udayana, the significance of saints, the role of women in Jainism, script decipherment, Jainism in South India, ancient beliefs about Rishabhdev and Shiva, historical research in Rajasthan, discussions on Kalidasa and Vikram, comparisons between Mahavir and Buddha, the spiritual republic of Mahavir, historical and cultural material in Raadhu's literature, an inscription of Chandmahasena, ancient architecture, Mahapandit Todarmal, Thumbavan and Arya Van, an inscription from the Rajrajeshwar temple in Debari, Rajasthani painting, and Jain archaeology in Central India.
     • Chapter 4: Bhasha aur Sahitya (Language and Literature): Covers topics like Jain Agamadharas and Prakrit literature, European researchers of Jain literature, Rajasthani Jain literature on Ramcharit, Jain Krishna literature, literary pursuits of Rajasthani Jain saints, etymology of certain Ardhamagadhi words, Jain scriptures and mantra-vidya, the meaning of the word 'Kahal', the place of Jain writers in Rajasthani literature, Swetambara Agamas in Digambara texts, Acharya Hemachandra's contribution to Sanskrit lexicography, Apabhramsha Jain literature, a review of Agam literature, neglected Hindi litterateurs near Ajmer, and the ancient tradition of Karnatak literature.
     • Chapter 5: Angrezi Vibhag (English Section): Contains essays in English on Jainism, including "Jainism: A Great Religion," "Message to Humanity," "A Survey of Jaina Religion and Philosophy," "The Pre-Aryan Shramanic Spiritualism," "Ahimsa, the Basic Social Ethic," "The Doctrines of Jainism," "The Concepts of Parisaha and Tapa in Jainism," "Nature of Divinity in Jaina Philosophy," "The Non-Violence of Mahatma Gandhi and Gita," "Some Aspects of Jain Psychology as Revealed in the Bhagawati Sutra," "The Vratas other than Ahimsa-As Propounded in Jainism," and "Shramadan or Voluntary Manual Labour-the Old Way."

8. Kati Pay Sandesh (A Few Messages) (Pages 20-25):

   • This section includes messages from prominent figures, including the President of India, the Vice-President Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madras, Members of Parliament, Ministers, and other dignitaries. These messages express happiness about the publication and wish it success, often highlighting Muni Shri Hajarimalji's life of renunciation, austerity, love, sympathy, and compassion.

9. Jivanvrutt, Sansmaran, Shraddhanjali aur Parampara Darshan - Pratham Adhyay (Biography, Memoirs, Tributes, and Traditional Philosophy - First Chapter) (Pages 28-79):

   • This chapter focuses on Muni Shri Hajarimalji himself.
   • Jivanvrutt (Biography) by Muni Mishrimlji 'Madhukar': This detailed biography covers Muni Shri Hajarimalji's early life, birth details, family background (parents Motilalji and Nandu Bai, siblings), the passing of his father, the financial difficulties faced by the family, his mother's resilience and his maternal uncle's son being adopted. It narrates his inclination towards renunciation from a young age, his early spiritual inclinations, his meeting with Sadhvi Chauthaji, and eventually his formal initiation into the monastic order under Swami Shri Joravarmalji Maharaj. The section also touches upon his studies, his commitment to the Jain way of life, his interactions with his mother, and the profound spiritual impact of his path. The narrative highlights his simple nature, his dedication to responsibility, and his eventual passing.
   • Sansmaran aur Shraddhanjalia (Memoirs and Tributes): This section contains heartfelt reminiscences and tributes from various individuals who knew Muni Shri Hajarimalji, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections on his character, teachings, and spiritual journey. These contributions offer a multifaceted view of the saint.

Overall Impression:

The provided pages offer a glimpse into a monumental commemorative work honoring a significant Jain spiritual leader. The book is meticulously organized, encompassing biographical details, spiritual insights, historical and cultural context, and literary contributions, all dedicated to the memory of Muni Shri Hajarimalji. The extensive list of contributors and supporters signifies the profound impact he had on the Jain community and beyond. The detailed table of contents reveals a vast scope, covering numerous aspects of Jainism and its rich heritage.