Hindi Jain Sahitya Ka Bruhad Itihas Part 1 - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Hindi Jain Sahitya ka Bruhad Itihas Part 1" by Shitikanth Mishr, based on the provided pages:

Overall Scope and Purpose:

This book, "Hindi Jain Sahitya ka Bruhad Itihas Part 1," authored by Dr. Shitikanth Mishr and edited by Dr. Sagar Mal Jain, published by Parshvanath Shodhpith Varanasi, aims to provide a comprehensive history of Jain literature in Hindi. This first volume covers the period from the ancient era (Aadikal) up to the 16th century, focusing specifically on the "Maru-Gurjar" language and its Jain literary contributions. The work is part of a larger planned series on the history of Jain literature in various Indian languages.

Key Concepts and Terminology:

Maru-Gurjar: This term refers to the transitional language spoken and written between the decline of Apabhramsha and the emergence of modern Rajasthani and Gujarati languages. It is considered the ancient form of Hindi, bridging the gap between Apabhramsha and modern Hindi. It encompasses the linguistic features common to the regions of Marwar (Maru) and Gujarat (Gurjar).
Apabhramsha: The text discusses Apabhramsha as the precursor language from which modern Indo-Aryan languages, including Maru-Gurjar, Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati, evolved.
Jain Literature's Importance: The book emphasizes that Jain literature preserved in Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Apabhramsha forms the earliest substantial body of work in the transitional languages, filling a crucial gap in the history of Hindi literature. It highlights the extensive and authentic nature of Jain manuscripts, preserved in numerous knowledge repositories (gyan bhandars).

Historical Context and Development of Maru-Gurjar Literature:

Origins: The Maru-Gurjar language emerged from Sauraseni and Maharashtri Apabhramsha, which had been the literary languages of North India for centuries. The rise of Rajput dynasties and the patronage of the Shauraseni Apabhramsha contributed to its growth.
Jain Tradition's Role: The widespread influence and respect for Jainism in Rajasthan and Gujarat between the 12th and 15th centuries led to the significant creation of Jain literature in the Maru-Gurjar language during this period, which the author terms the "Maru-Gurjar period."
Linguistic Unity: The book argues that from the 12th to the 15th century, there was little linguistic distinction between the languages of the Maru (Rajasthan) and Gurjar (Gujarat) regions. They were essentially the same language, with regional variations being minor. Linguists like Grierson and Chatterji support this view, considering them dialects of a single language, Old Western Rajasthani. This linguistic unity is attributed to the shared cultural and religious landscape, the mobility of Jain monks and traders between these regions, and the common origin from Western Sauraseni Apabhramsha.
"Old Hindi": The language of this period's literature is identified by Gugeerli Ji as "Old Hindi." Jain scholars also refer to it as Maru-Gurjar. The book asserts that both terms are synonymous.
Transition from Apabhramsha: The period between the 10th and 12th centuries saw the beginning of the evolution of modern Aryan languages from local Apabhramshas. The language of this transitional period exhibits remnants of Apabhramsha's declining trends mixed with nascent local language usages.
Time Division: The book proposes a chronological division of Maru-Gurjar Jain literature:
- Aadikal (Early Period): 13th to 15th century (Vikram Samvat 1201-1500), characterized by the use of Apabhramsha-influenced Maru-Gurjar.
- Madhyakal (Medieval Period): 16th to 19th century (Vikram Samvat 1501-1900), marked by a more distinct development of Rajasthani and Gujarati, but still with significant shared characteristics within Jain literature.
Indifference and Neglect: The author notes that Hindi scholars, including prominent critics like Acharya Ramchandra Shukla, have often overlooked Jain literature, dismissing it as merely didactic. However, the book argues that this literature is rich in literary merit and social commentary, making its study essential for a complete understanding of Hindi literature and culture.
Preservation: Jain literature, written primarily in Apabhramsha and Maru-Gurjar, was well-preserved in Jain monastic repositories (Shaastra Bhandars). This was due to the Jain tradition's emphasis on writing and preserving texts, and the relatively amicable relationship Jain monks maintained with Muslim rulers, unlike the destruction faced by some other Indian literary traditions during invasions.

Key Themes and Contributions of Jain Literature:

Religious and Philosophical Focus: Jain literature is fundamentally religious, propagating Jain philosophy, ethics (such as Ahimsa, restraint, and penance), and the principles of karma and reincarnation.
Social and Political Commentary: Despite its religious nature, Jain literature often provides authentic and unbiased descriptions of social customs, political events, and economic conditions of the time, serving as a valuable historical resource.
Literary Forms: Jain authors utilized various literary forms, including Charit Kavyas (biographical narratives), Kathanak Roodhiyan (traditional plot devices), devotional hymns (Stotras), devotional songs (Gitas), and early forms of narrative poetry like Rasas and Phagus.
Language and Style: Jain writers often employed the vernacular or "Desibhasha" to reach the masses, leading to the development of Maru-Gurjar. While they could use Sanskrit, their preference for local languages contributed to the evolution of these languages. They also experimented with different meters and rhetorical devices, often infusing their religious themes with literary beauty.
Influence on Modern Languages: The Maru-Gurjar literature significantly influenced the development of modern Rajasthani, Gujarati, and Hindi, contributing vocabulary, stylistic elements, and poetic forms.

Structure of the Book (Based on Chapter Titles and Content):

The book is divided into six chapters:

Chapter 1: The Beginning and Ancient Tradition of Maru-Gurjar, and the Etymology of Maru-Gurjar: This chapter lays the groundwork, defining Maru-Gurjar, tracing its origins from Apabhramsha, discussing the linguistic unity of Maru and Gurjar regions, and establishing the historical and cultural context of Jainism in these areas. It also provides a detailed overview of Apabhramsha literature and its characteristics.
Chapters 2-5: Maru-Gurjar Jain Literature (13th to 16th Century): These chapters systematically detail the Jain literature produced century by century, introducing authors, their works, and briefly discussing their content and style. They cover poets and literary activities from the 13th century (1201-1300 AD) up to the 16th century (1501-1600 AD), providing extensive lists and descriptions of numerous authors and their compositions.
Chapter 6: Maru-Gurjar Jain Prose Literature (13th to 16th Century): This chapter shifts focus to Jain prose works from the same period, covering genres like Vachanika and Khyaat.

Key Authors and Works Mentioned (Illustrative, not exhaustive):

The book meticulously lists and discusses numerous Jain poets and scholars from various traditions (e.g., Kharatar Gaccha, Tapa Gaccha). Prominent figures and their works mentioned throughout the summarized pages include:

Apabhramsha Literature: Swayambhu (Paumchariu), Pushpadanta (Mahapuraana), Dhanpal (Bhavisayattakaha), Nayyanandi (Sudarshanacharitra).
Maru-Gurjar Literature (13th Century): Abhayadev Suri, Jinshinh Suri, Jinadatt Suri, Vadicch Suri, Shubhavali, Vastupal-Tejpal (patronage and influence), Palhan, Amarprabh Suri, Jagadu.
Maru-Gurjar Literature (14th Century): Abhayatilak Gani, Amarprabh Suri, Jaydev Muni, Jinachandra Suri, Jinprabh Suri, Dharmasuri, Merutunga, etc.
Maru-Gurjar Literature (15th Century): Asal, Aayata, Jayananda Suri, Jinabhadra Suri, Dungaru, Tarunprabh Suri, Nayanachandra Suri, Padmanabha, Pahu Raj, Vacch Bhandari, Munisundar Suri, Yashahkirti, Ratnavallabh, Shakalakirti, Samayaprabha, Sarvanand Suri, etc.
Maru-Gurjar Literature (16th Century): Ananthahans, Ami pal, Anandpramod, Aayata, Ishwarsuri, Udayabhanu, Kadva, Kanak Kavi, Karamsi, Kirtihansh, Kshemaraj, Ganapati, Gunakirti, Ghanachand, Chaturmal, Chandrakirti, Charuchandra, Chohal, Jayakirti, Jayamandal, Jayavallabha, Jayananda, Jinabhadra, Jinarghya, Jinsagar, Jinvardhan, Jinvardhaman, Jinsekhar, Jinvijay, Dungaru, Tejvardhan, Dayasagar, Devdatta, Devprabh Gani, Devsundar, Dhanpal, Dhanraj, Nayachandra, Narayansuri, Nannasuri, etc. (The list is extensive, covering hundreds of poets).

Author's Stance and Contribution:

Dr. Shitikanth Mishr expresses his gratitude to Prof. Sagar Mal Jain for the opportunity to undertake this significant but initially daunting task. He acknowledges the reliance on the foundational works of Mohanlal Dalichand Desai and Agarhand Nahata, while also incorporating other sources. He points out the vastness of the literature, acknowledging that many poets and works might have been missed due to incomplete surveys of Jain Bhandars. He hopes for scholarly feedback for future editions. The author's primary goal is to rectify the oversight of Jain literature in standard Hindi literary histories and to establish the "Maru-Gurjar" literary tradition's rightful place in the development of Hindi language and literature.

Conclusion:

The book is presented as a dedication to the Hindi academic world, with the expectation that it will be duly evaluated and that Jain literature will receive its appropriate recognition in future histories of Hindi literature. The work is a testament to the rich, diverse, and historically significant contribution of Jain tradition to the evolution of Hindi literature and Indian culture.