Hastprat Vidya Ane Agam Sahitya

The book "Hastprat Vidya ane Agam Sahitya: Sanshodhan ane Sampadan" (Manuscriptology and Agam Literature: Research and Editing), edited by Niranjana Vora and published by Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad, is a collection of research articles presented at a national seminar organized on the occasion of the birth centenary of Muni Shri Punyavijayji.

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Central Theme: The book is dedicated to exploring and understanding the fields of manuscriptology (the study and preservation of manuscripts) and Agam literature, with a particular focus on the contributions and legacy of Muni Shri Punyavijayji.

Muni Shri Punyavijayji: A significant portion of the book highlights the life and work of Muni Shri Punyavijayji, who is revered as an "Agam Prabhakar" (Illuminator of Agams) and "Shrut Shila Varidhi" (Ocean of Scriptural Knowledge).

• Life and Mission: Born Manilal, he renounced the worldly life at a young age and was initiated as Muni Punyavijayji. His life's mission was dedicated to the revival, preservation, and study of ancient Jain manuscripts and Agam literature.
• Scholarly Prowess: He was a profound scholar of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Old Gujarati languages, grammar, and prosody. He possessed extensive and deep knowledge of Jain scriptures, archaeology, Indian history, culture, paleography, ancient painting, numismatics, and iconography.
• Contribution to Manuscriptology: Muni Punyavijayji meticulously studied and organized numerous manuscript collections across Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Rajasthan. He worked tirelessly to preserve ancient and dilapidated manuscripts, often reconstructing them from damaged pieces. He established important Jain Gyan Mandirs (knowledge centers), including the Shri Hemchandracharya Jain Gyan Mandir in Patan. His efforts were instrumental in saving many ancient repositories of knowledge from destruction.
• Approach to Editing: He was known for his meticulous and dedicated approach to editing, delving deep into subjects to resolve ambiguities before proceeding. He valued critical feedback and encouraged scholars to point out any errors in his work.
• Dissemination of Knowledge: He transferred his vast personal collection of manuscripts and books to the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir in Ahmedabad, making this invaluable resource accessible to scholars worldwide.
• Personal Qualities: He lived a life of asceticism, dedicated to knowledge acquisition and dissemination. Despite his profound scholarship, he remained humble and free from ego. He was known for his helpfulness, compassion, and eagerness to assist scholars and seekers of knowledge. His life exemplified the integration of wisdom and monastic discipline.

The Seminar and the Book's Purpose:

• The book originates from a seminar organized by the International Jain Vidyapeeth and the Institute of Jainology to commemorate the birth centenary of Muni Shri Punyavijayji.
• The seminar focused on "Manuscriptology and Agam Literature: Research and Editing."
• The book aims to compile the research papers presented at the seminar, making the valuable information accessible to a wider audience of researchers and scholars.

Key Themes and Content Covered in the Articles: The book features articles that delve into various aspects of manuscriptology and Agam literature, including:

• The Importance of Manuscripts: Manuscripts are highlighted as crucial evidence for understanding Indian culture, art, sculpture, architecture, and historical contexts.
• Preservation and Conservation: Several articles discuss the methods and challenges of preserving ancient manuscripts, emphasizing the need for systematic care and scientific techniques. The paper by Dr. Balwant Jani provides a detailed historical perspective on the preservation methods of ancient Gujarati manuscripts, discussing issues of material degradation, preservation techniques (preservation, conservation, restoration), and the necessity of creating comprehensive catalogs.
• Types and Presentation of Manuscripts: An article by Chandrakantaben H. Bhatt categorizes manuscripts based on their internal and external forms, describing types like Tripata, Panchapata, Chitrapustak, Suvarnakshari, and the physical forms like Gundi, Kachhapi, Mushti, Sampootphalak, and Chhedapati. Dr. Shridhar Andhare's work discusses the typology of Jain manuscripts as classified by Muni Shri Punyavijayji, detailing various classification criteria. Prof. S. G. Kantawala explores the art and techniques of manuscript presentation, including materials used, calligraphy, and decorative elements.
• Scripts and Paleography: Dr. Bhartihen Shailat provides an overview of the evolution of scripts in ancient India, focusing on Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts and their regional variations, particularly highlighting Jain scripts and their characteristics.
• Agam Literature Research and Editing: The challenges and methodologies of editing Agam literature are discussed, with emphasis on the need for critical analysis of multiple manuscripts to reconstruct the original text and understand linguistic variations. Prof. Dr. Bansidhar Bhatt's article critically examines the limitations and expectations in manuscript publication, contrasting Western scholarly approaches with early Indian practices and highlighting the ongoing need for critical editions. Dr. K. R. Chandra addresses the complex issue of selecting texts from various manuscripts for editing Ardh-Magadhi Agam texts, emphasizing the importance of ancient linguistic forms.
• Historical and Cultural Significance: Articles by Dr. Balwant Jani and Priyabala Shah discuss the immense historical and cultural value of manuscripts, citing examples from Gujarat and the importance of inscriptions and colophons in understanding historical events, rulers, social structures, and artistic traditions. The role of manuscripts in understanding the development of the Gujarati language and its historical grammar is also highlighted.
• Jain Manuscript Collections: The book provides insights into significant Jain manuscript collections in Gujarat, including those in Patan (Shri Hemchandracharya Jain Gyan Mandir), Khambhat, and Ahmedabad (LD Institute of Indology), detailing their historical significance and the types of manuscripts they house.
• Farsi Khata-patra (Persian Deeds): Govindbhai Modi's article analyzes a 1778 AD Persian deed related to property sale, highlighting the characteristics of Mughal-era Persian documents, including the materials used, script, language style, administrative context, and societal aspects reflected in these historical records.
• Manuscript Study and Education: Dr. V. L. Pandit emphasizes the importance of manuscript research and education, stressing the need for greater accessibility and study of these invaluable resources.
• Specialized Studies: Dr. Narayan M. Kansara discusses the manuscripts and editing process of Buddhisagar's Vyakarana, while Tapasvi Nandi critically analyzes a specific Nepalese manuscript of Bharat's Natyashastra.

Overall Contribution: The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, scholars, and students interested in Jainology, manuscriptology, Indology, and ancient Indian languages and literature. It pays tribute to the pioneering work of Muni Shri Punyavijayji and encourages further research and preservation of India's rich manuscript heritage.