Jain Sahitya Aur Itihas Par Vishad Prakash 01

Based on the provided Jain text, here's a comprehensive summary in English:

The text is the first volume of a work titled "Jain Sahitya aur Itihas par Vishad Prakash" (A Detailed Light on Jain Literature and History), authored by Jugalkishor Mukhtar 'Yugveer'. It was published by Shri Veer Shasan Sangh, Calcutta, in July 1956. This volume contains 32 articles and essays by the author, focusing on Jain literature and history, which were previously published in various Jain periodicals like 'Anekanth' and in the introductions of his edited works. The publisher highlights the immense labor, deep thought, and extensive research that went into the creation of these articles, making them an invaluable reference for historians and literary scholars.

Key Themes and Contents of Volume 1:

The primary aim of this volume is to shed light on various aspects of Jain literature and history, often by clarifying historical complexities and opening new avenues for research. The publisher emphasizes the need for such scholarly work for the accurate construction of Jain history, recognizing Mukhtar and Nathuram Premi as preeminent scholars in this field.

The First Article: "Bhagwan Mahavir aur Unka Samay" (Lord Mahavir and His Time)

This article, which forms the beginning of the volume, provides a detailed biographical sketch of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of the Jains. It covers:

• Birth and Lineage: Lord Mahavir was the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala (also known as Priyakarini), the daughter of King Chetaka of Vaishali. He was born in Kundpur. His lineage was from the 'Gnat' (or 'Gnat') clan, which is related to the Sanskrit 'Gyaat' clan.
• Names: He was named Vardhaman at birth due to the prosperity that befell his parents and kingdom upon his conception. He also came to be known as Mahavir due to his extraordinary strength demonstrated in childhood when he played with a fierce serpent, and as Sanmati after his wisdom cleared the doubts of two Charana sages, Sanjay and Vijay.
• Childhood and Renunciation: The article narrates two significant childhood events: the sages' encounter and his display of strength. At around thirty years of age, Mahavir renounced worldly life, embraced asceticism on the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Margshirsha in the 'Gnatkhand' forest, and took immense vows of non-possession and renunciation.
• Asceticism and Enlightenment: He undertook severe penance for twelve years. He attained Kevala Gyan (omniscience) on the 10th day of the bright half of Vaishakh, under a Shal tree on the bank of the Rijukula river near Jambhukagram, while observing a fast and engaged in pure meditative practice.
• Vihar (Preaching Tour) and Samavasarana: After attaining Kevala Gyan, he began his preaching tour (vihar). His assemblies, called 'Samavasarana', were characterized by universal inclusivity, breaking down caste and social barriers, where even animals were drawn by his divine presence and experienced a cessation of animosity.
• Mahaprabhus's Mission: Lord Mahavir preached for approximately thirty years, spreading the message of righteousness, dispelling ignorance, resolving doubts, promoting self-reliance and restraint, opposing violence, and advocating equality.
• Vir-Shasan (Mahavir's Teaching): The core principles of Mahavir's teaching are highlighted as: 1. Ahimsavada (Doctrine of Non-violence), 2. Samyavada (Communism/Equality), 3. Anekantavada (Doctrine of Manysidedness/Syadvada), and 4. Karmavada (Doctrine of Karma). These teachings aimed to guide living beings towards self-improvement and well-being.
• Nirvana: Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana (liberation) in the beautiful garden of Pawapur on the Amavasya (new moon) night of Kartik, in Swati Nakshatra, at the age of about 72 years.

Historical Context of Mahavir's Time:

The article also touches upon the prevailing social and religious conditions of India at the time of Mahavir's advent. It describes a society rife with:

• Social Injustice: Oppression of the weak, rigid caste distinctions, discriminatory treatment of Shudras (treated like animals, denied education and rights), and subjugation of women (denied freedom and rights, viewed merely as objects of pleasure or child-bearing machines).
• Religious Corruption: Brahmins holding exclusive rights to religious rituals, self-serving practices, bribery, disappearance of true religious sentiment, replacement by empty rituals, proliferation of numerous deities, and the prevalence of animal sacrifice (yajna) justified by the flawed logic that "Vedic violence is not violence."
• Overall Atmosphere: A pervasive sense of injustice, oppression, and dissatisfaction, with people yearning for a savior to uplift them from this crisis. Mahavir's arrival brought hope, joy, and a sense of renewal, akin to the arrival of spring.

Subsequent Articles in the Volume:

While the initial focus is on Lord Mahavir, the subsequent articles cover a wide range of topics related to Jain literature and history, including:

• Vira-Nirvana-Samvat: An analysis and discussion of the Jain era.
• Origin of Vir-Shasan: Exploring the time and place of the establishment of Mahavir's teachings.
• Classification of Jain Tirthankaras' Teachings: Differentiating the doctrines passed down by various Tirthankaras.
• Shrutavatar Katha: Narrating the lineage of Jain scriptures and their transmission through various Acharyas.
• Acharyas and Their Works: Detailed discussions on prominent Acharyas like Kundakundacharya, Umāswāti/Umāsvāmi, and their contributions.
• Analysis of Tattvartha Sutra: Examining the authorship and origin of this foundational Jain text.
• Works on Samantabhadra: Several articles are dedicated to Swami Samantabhadra, a significant Jain scholar and poet, covering his life, works, philosophical contributions, and establishing his time period. This includes an analysis of his influence on later works like Sarvarthasiddhi.
• Other Jain Texts and Authors: The volume also includes articles on texts like Bhagavaty Aradhana (and its commentaries), Kartikeyanupreksha, Sanmatisutra, Siddhasen, Tiloyapannatti, and the Kadamba dynasty's inscriptions, among others.
• Language and Culture: Articles like 'Arya aur Mleccha' (Aryans and Foreigners) might delve into linguistic and cultural aspects.

Publisher's Note (Prakashkiya):

The publisher expresses gratitude to the readers for the first volume of 'Jain Sahitya aur Itihas par Vishad Prakash.' They note that the collection is vast, necessitating multiple volumes, with this first volume alone being around 750 pages. The collection is praised for its novel discoveries and research, serving as a crucial reference book. The publisher also pays tribute to Pandit Jugalkishor Mukhtar and Pandit Nathuram Premi as pioneering scholars whose work is invaluable to both the Jain community and Indian society at large. They acknowledge Mukhtar's detailed writing style, which, though sometimes lengthy, is precise, avoids repetition, and greatly aids research students. The articles are credited with resolving historical ambiguities and opening up new research areas, including the identification of texts only known through quotations.

Author's Contribution:

The author, Jugalkishor Mukhtar 'Yugveer', is highlighted as the founder of 'Veer-Seva-Mandir' and a respected translator, commentator, and author of seminal works like 'Granth-Pariksha' and 'Swayambhu-stotra Yuktianushasan'.

In essence, the book is a scholarly compilation of essays intended to provide deep insights into the historical and literary heritage of Jainism, with a particular emphasis on clarifying established facts and bringing forth new discoveries through rigorous research. The initial focus on Lord Mahavir sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of Jain tradition.