Itihas Ni Kedi - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Itihas ni Kedi" (History's Trail) by Bhogilal J. Sandesara, based on the provided pages:

Overall Nature of the Work:

"Itihas ni Kedi" is a collection of essays on history and archaeology, compiled by Bhogilal J. Sandesara. The book was first published in 1945 by Padmaja Prakashan in Vadodara. It is dedicated to the memory of the late Pt. Shri Lokkumar Shivkumar Awasthi, sponsored by his wife Savitabn Awasthi. The author, Bhogilal J. Sandesara, is a noted scholar of Jain literature, history, and archaeology.

Author's Intent and Scope:

Sandesara explains in the "Prastavik" (Introduction) that this collection is a response to a suggestion by Shri Bhukhanwala to compile some of his essays published over the last fifteen years, focusing on topics of general interest to the educated public. The essays cover history, literature, and language. While the original articles have been kept largely unchanged, repetitions that were unavoidable in separate publications have been removed, and some details have been added or updated with later research. The author acknowledges the assistance of Professor Umashankar Joshi and Keshavram Shastri in the compilation.

Key Themes and Essays:

The book delves into various aspects of Gujarat's history and culture, with a particular focus on significant cities, historical figures, and literary traditions. The table of contents reveals a wide range of topics covered:

Patna (Patan): Several essays are dedicated to Patan, a historically crucial city in Gujarat.
- "Patan": This essay likely provides an overview of the city's historical significance.
- "Patan na Granthbhandar" (Patan's Libraries): This essay discusses the rich manuscript collections in Patan, highlighting their importance for historical research and the vastness of the Jain literary heritage preserved there. It emphasizes that these libraries contain over 14,000 manuscripts in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Old Gujarati, dating from the 12th to the 20th century. The essay also touches upon the efforts to preserve and catalogue these collections.
Hemchandracharya and His Disciples:
- "Hemchandracharya nu Shishy-mandal" (Hemchandracharya's Disciple Circle): This extensive essay focuses on the prolific and influential Jain scholar Hemchandracharya, his intellectual contributions, and the significant impact he had on Gujarati society and culture during the Solanki era. It details his various literary works and his profound influence on kings like Siddharaj and Kumarpal. The essay also elaborates on his prominent disciples like Ramachandra Suri, Gunachandra, Mahendrasuri, Vardhamangani, Devachandra, Udayachandra, Yashashchandra, and Balchandra, discussing their individual literary contributions. The essay also touches upon Ramachandra's mastery of drama, his unique interpretations of dramatic theories, and his independent thinking, as well as the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his death, possibly due to political intrigue.
Sanskrit Drama in Gujarat: This essay explores the development and significant works of Sanskrit drama originating from Gujarat, mentioning Bilhan's "Karn Sundari" as likely the first Sanskrit play from the region. It also highlights Yashashchandra's "Muditkumudchandra Prakaran" and the influential works of Ramachandra, the chief disciple of Hemchandracharya.
Prabandhachintamani: This essay discusses the "Prabandhachintamani" by Merutunga Acharya, a significant historical work detailing the history of Gujarat, particularly the Solanki and Vaghel dynasties. It highlights its value for understanding historical events, social conditions, and the influence of folklore and religious traditions. The essay also analyzes the translator's (DurgaShankar K. Shastri) contribution through his annotations and appendices.
Sculptures of Bhogasana in Temples: This essay investigates the presence of erotic sculptures ("Bhogasana") in temples across India, including Gujarat. It explores various interpretations for their inclusion, refuting simplistic explanations and suggesting that the underlying principle might be the representation of the four Purusharthas (dharma, artha, kama, moksha) as integral parts of life, and the expression of the diverse aspects of human existence within a spiritual framework.
Kamdev's Moustache: This essay humorously addresses the question of whether Kamdev (the Hindu god of love) should be depicted with a moustache, analyzing artistic and literary references.
Place Names of Gujarat: This essay delves into the etymology of place names in Gujarat, particularly focusing on suffix analysis and their historical and linguistic significance. It draws parallels with place names in Punjab and other regions, suggesting migration patterns and cultural influences.
References to 'Gujarat' in Ancient Gujarati Literature: This essay traces the usage of the name "Gujarat" in early Gujarati literature, providing evidence from texts like "Abu Ras" (c. 1289 AD), "Ranadevi na Duha" (pre-1290 AD), "Prabhavakcharitra" (c. 1334 AD), and "Samararas" (c. 1371 AD), challenging earlier assumptions about the name's prevalence.
Our Ancient Folk Literature: This essay provides an overview of ancient Gujarati folk literature, discussing its themes, prevalent motifs like Vikram, and the influence of Jain and Vedic traditions on storytelling. It highlights the contributions of various poets and the evolution of folk narratives.
Gujarati Literature Before Narsinh: This essay critically examines the earlier periods of Gujarati literature, challenging the notion that Narsinh Mehta was the first significant poet. It discusses the discovery of numerous Jain and some non-Jain works predating Narsinh, and analyzes the evolution of the Gujarati language from Apabhramsha.
Ayurveda's Research: This essay reflects on the current state of Ayurveda in India, lamenting the decline in research and specialized knowledge in certain branches like surgery. It discusses the importance of reviving and integrating ancient Ayurvedic principles with modern scientific advancements, advocating for rigorous research and practical training.
Ancient Indian Vimanas (Aircraft): This essay explores the concept of flying machines in ancient India, referencing descriptions in texts like "Samarangana Sutradhara" and Buddhist Jataka tales. It discusses the possibility of rudimentary mechanical devices for flight, even if the descriptions are symbolic or exaggerated.
Kutrikapana (Ancient General Stores): This essay discusses "Kutrikapana" as mentioned in Jain Agam literature, describing them as ancient marketplaces that offered a wide range of goods. It highlights their social and economic significance, the pricing mechanisms based on social status, and the legendary associations with supernatural beings.

Overall Contribution:

"Itihas ni Kedi" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history, culture, literature, and linguistics of Gujarat, particularly from a Jain perspective. Bhogilal J. Sandesara's meticulous research and broad scope offer deep insights into the region's rich past. The essays showcase the author's extensive knowledge and his dedication to uncovering and presenting historical and literary facts.