Jain Raj Tarangini Part 1

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain Raj Tarangini Part 1, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Jain Raj Tarangini Part 1 Author(s): Shreevar, Raghunathsinh Publisher: Chaukhamba Amarbharti Prakashan Year: 1977

Overall Summary:

The provided text is the first part of the "Jain Raj Tarangini," a significant Jain historical text attributed to Shreevar, with a critical introduction, historical, geographical, and cultural notes, and a Hindi translation by Dr. Raghunath Singh. This volume covers Taranga (waves/chapters) 1 and 2 of the original work.

Key Aspects and Content:

• Author and Context: Shreevar, the author of the original text, was a court poet during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir. He acknowledges his guru, Jonraj, who also authored a Raj Tarangini, and credits the Sultan for his patronage. Shreevar's work is considered the third in the Raj Tarangini tradition, following Kalhana and Jonraj, and chronicles events from 1459 to 1486 CE. The title "Jain Raj Tarangini" likely refers to the historical period or the author's association with Jain traditions or patrons, although the text itself primarily focuses on the rulers of Kashmir.

• Structure and Content of Part 1: This first part includes a critical introduction and the first two "Tarangas" or chapters of Shreevar's work. The introduction by Dr. Raghunath Singh provides context, discusses the importance of cataloging, and explains the fair use declaration for its dissemination. The text itself is written in Hindi with Sanskrit verses.

• Critical Introduction by Dr. Raghunath Singh:

  • Fair Use Declaration: The TFIC Team explains its purpose in making the book available for educational and research use, believing it to be in the public domain.
  • Author's Background and Motivation: Dr. Singh shares his personal journey, including his involvement in politics, jail time, and his later dedication to scholarly work. He expresses his preference for writing in Hindi over English and discusses the challenges of his research, including financial constraints and the difficulty of accessing certain books. He highlights the importance of his wife, Lilavati Devi, in supporting his work.
  • Purpose of the Work: Dr. Singh initially planned to comment on and translate Kalhana's Raj Tarangini but shifted focus to Jonraj, and then Shreevar. His approach is historical, geographical, and social rather than purely literary.
  • Textual Basis and Methodology: The text used for this edition is based on the Calcutta edition of 1835, with assistance from the Bombay edition of 1896. Dr. Singh discusses the challenges of textual criticism, variations in manuscripts, and the approach to transliterating names and terms. He aims to present the original text as faithfully as possible, with clarifications in footnotes.
  • Analysis of Shreevar's Work: The introduction delves into the structure of Shreevar's Raj Tarangini, its place in the historical tradition, Shreevar's personal background, his education, his expertise in music and dance, his astrological knowledge, and his understanding of Ayurveda. It also discusses the language used, the influence of Persian, and the evolution of the Kashmiri script (Sharda). The introduction extensively analyzes Shreevar's views on politics, society, religion, and the concept of destiny.

• Content of Taranga 1:

  • Praise of the Author and Previous Works: The initial verses (Sarga 1 of Taranga 1) are a prayer to Lord Shiva and a tribute to poets.
  • Praise of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin: Shreevar praises Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin for his patronage and attributes the inscription of the book's title "Jain Raj Tarangini" to his honor, following a tradition of adding the patron's name to the title.
  • Historical Context: The author explains the preceding historical works by Kalhana and Jonraj, establishing his own work as the third in the lineage.
  • Personal Reflections: Dr. Raghunath Singh shares his personal experiences, political involvement, and his dedication to this literary endeavor. He emphasizes the importance of his wife, Lilavati Devi, and other supporters.
  • The Textual Basis: The introduction meticulously details the sources and editions used, including Calcutta and Bombay editions, and the efforts made to ensure accuracy.
  • Analysis of Shreevar's Skills: The introduction highlights Shreevar's multifaceted talents as a poet, historian, musician, dancer, astrologer, and his knowledge of various scriptures and sciences.
  • Historical Narrative (Early Parts): The early verses of Taranga 1 begin to introduce the historical context, mentioning the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin and the author's personal connection to the court. It touches upon the political climate, the transition of power, and the author's initial intent. The text then progresses to describe the socio-economic conditions, including the impact of famine and natural calamities, the administration, and the cultural life of the time.

• Detailed Analysis of Content (as evident from the extensive "Bhumika" and "Uddgam" sections):

  • Srivara's Rajatarangini: It's placed third in the tradition after Kalhana and Jonraj.
  • Shreevar's Life and Context: Court poet of Zain-ul-Abidin, adept in arts, sciences, and philosophy.
  • Focus on Historical and Social Aspects: The commentary emphasizes the historical, geographical, and social elements.
  • Language and Style: The work is in Hindi with Sanskrit verses, aiming for literary quality and historical detail.
  • Compilation and Textual Issues: Discussion on the use of Calcutta and Bombay editions, textual variations, and the challenge of manuscript reliability.
  • Analysis of Sultans: The text covers the reigns of Zain-ul-Abidin, Haidar Shah, Hasan Shah, and Muhammad Shah, detailing their political situations, cultural contributions, and personal lives.
  • Cultural and Social Life: Insights into daily life, customs, arts (music, dance), festivals, and religious practices of the time.
  • Geographical Information: Details about places in Kashmir, their ancient and current names, and their significance.
  • Shreevar's Expertise: The author's proficiency in various fields including astronomy, Ayurveda, and even the construction of instruments is noted.
  • Political Intrigue and Warfare: Descriptions of battles, succession disputes, administrative policies, and the impact of invasions and internal conflicts.
  • Religious and Philosophical undertones: Discussions on philosophical ideas, religious practices (both Hindu and Muslim influences), and Shreevar's own leanings towards Advaita philosophy.
  • Impact of Natural Calamities: Accounts of famines, floods, and their consequences on the population.
  • Critique of Social Evils: Shreevar's commentary on societal decline, corruption, and the moral decay of the time.
  • The Author's Perspective: Shreevar's commentary is noted for its impartiality and directness, even when criticizing the ruling class or their actions.
  • Devotion and Philosophy: The author's deep reverence for Lord Shiva and his philosophical inclinations, particularly influenced by Advaita Vedanta, are evident.
  • The Significance of the Title "Jain Raj Tarangini": The introduction discusses the possible reasons for adding "Jain" to the title, possibly relating to the patronage of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.

Overall Impression:

The "Jain Raj Tarangini Part 1" appears to be a scholarly endeavor that not only presents Shreevar's historical chronicle but also provides extensive commentary and analysis by Dr. Raghunath Singh. The introduction is thorough, offering deep insights into the historical, cultural, and literary context of the work, as well as the author's personal motivations and scholarly methods. The text itself, as described in the introduction, likely offers a rich tapestry of Kashmiri history, culture, and society during a significant period of transition.