Jain Gurjar Kavio Part 02

This book, "Jain Gurjar Kavio Part 02" (Jain Gujarati Poets, Part 02), compiled by Mohanlal Dalichand Desai and revised and expanded by Jayant Kothari, published by Mahavir Jain Vidyalay, Mumbai, is a descriptive catalogue of Jain poets and their works in the Gujarati language during the 17th century.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented in the provided pages:

• Book Title: Jain Gurjar Kavio Vol. II (જૈન ગૂર્જર કવિઓ ભાગ ૨)

• Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai (Compiler/Original Author), Jayant Kothari (Editor of the Revised Edition)

• Publisher: Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalay, Mumbai

• Year of Publication (Revised Edition): March 1987

• Subject Matter: This volume focuses on Jain poets and their works in the Gujarati language specifically from the 17th century Vikram Samvat (which corresponds to the 16th century CE). It's described as a detailed list of these poets and their creations.

• Key Sections Identified:

  • Understanding of Symbolic Letters (સાંકેતિક અક્ષરોની સમજ): Page 4 and 5 provide a list of abbreviations and their meanings, indicating the sources and collections from which the information about poets and their works were gathered (e.g., Bhandars in Ahmedabad, libraries in Vikaner, manuscripts with specific individuals like Muni Sukhsagar, etc.). This highlights the academic and archival nature of the work.
  • Important Corrections/Additions (મહત્ત્વની શુદ્ધિવૃદ્ધિ): Page 7 and 8 detail significant corrections and additions made to the content, noting the contributions of Mr. Harivallabh Bhayani. This emphasizes the meticulous research and revision process involved in the second edition.
  • Index (અનુક્રમણિકા): Pages 9 onwards present a comprehensive index of the poets and their works, listing them by entry number (e.g., 438. Kirtiratsuri, 439. Tejansurisishya, etc.) and the page numbers where their details can be found. This index covers a vast number of poets, stretching from entry 438 to 619, indicating the extensive scope of the volume.
  • Biographical and Bibliographical Entries: The bulk of the subsequent pages (from page 14 onwards) are dedicated to detailed entries for each poet. These entries typically include:
    • Poet's Number and Name (e.g., 438. Kirtiratsuri)
    • Key Information about the poet (lineage, gurus, approximate time period, place of activity)
    • List of their works, often with details like title, genre (e.g., Ras, Stavan, Varta, Chopai), estimated date of composition (Samvat), and location of manuscripts or publication details.
    • Beginning and sometimes ending lines of selected works are quoted, giving a glimpse into their literary style and content.

• Content Focus: The index and snippets from the entries reveal the focus on vernacular Gujarati literature produced by Jain poets. The works span various genres, including devotional songs (stavan), narrative poems (ras, charitra), didactic works (updesh), and potentially other forms. The detailed cataloging of manuscripts and sources indicates a strong scholarly foundation.

In essence, "Jain Gurjar Kavio Part 02" is a scholarly, encyclopedic work that meticulously documents the rich literary heritage of Jain poets in 17th-century Gujarati. It serves as a crucial resource for researchers, scholars, and anyone interested in the history of Jain literature and Gujarati literature.