Jain Sahitya Aur Uska Hindi Se Sambandh - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Sahitya aur uska Hindi se Sambandh" (Jain Literature and its Relationship with Hindi) by Prem Suman Jain, focusing on its cultural significance and connection to Hindi literature:

The text emphasizes the profound cultural significance of Jain literature and its deep-rooted connection with Hindi literature. It argues that Jain literature, written in various languages across different regions of India, serves as a vital repository of the social and cultural consciousness of the nation.

Cultural Significance of Jain Literature:

Witness to Cultural Evolution: Jain literature has been continuously created from the early centuries of the common era to the present day, making it a testament to the cultural shifts and transformations throughout various epochs.
Authenticity and Groundedness: The cultural facts presented in Jain literature are considered authentic because they are deeply connected to the lives of ordinary people. It is not mere idealized or imaginary content but is rooted in reality.
Authorship of Ascetics: The authors are primarily ascetic scholars (Acharyas) whose integrity and authenticity are reflected in their writings.
Multifaceted Cultural Dimensions: Jain literature explores various dimensions of culture, including profound philosophical and spiritual insights, detailed exposition of principles, and extensive descriptions of monastic and lay life.
Unique Cultural Information: It contains cultural information not found in other Indian literature, shedding light on aspects that history often remains silent about, thereby aiding in a more accurate understanding of India's cultural development.
Representation of All Strata of Society: Jain literature, particularly in Prakrit and Apabhramsha, draws its themes and characters from common life. It portrays not only the affluent but also the impoverished, downtrodden, and neglected, who are rich in character and goodwill.
Depiction of Rural Culture: This inclusive perspective allowed for the detailed depiction of rural culture for the first time in Indian literature, freeing it from artificiality and decadent lifestyles.
Preservation of Regional Cultures: By valuing regionality, Jain literature has safeguarded the folk cultures of various regions and preserved the life patterns of numerous communities from extinction.
Linguistic Preservation: Jain literature has played a crucial role in preserving the lexicon of prevalent, everyday words and language. This linguistic wealth holds the key to understanding human cultural development. The author argues that the history of Indian languages remains incomplete without a linguistic analysis of Jain literature.

Relationship with Hindi Literature:

Interconnectedness: The text strongly asserts that a thorough study of Jain literature is essential for understanding the development of Hindi literature. The author highlights that many genres of Jain literature are closely related to broader Indian literary traditions.
Influence of Vernacular Languages: The tradition of writing in vernacular languages, such as Pali, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha, has enriched Indian literature significantly. The literary output in these languages has influenced modern Indian languages like Rajasthani, Gujarati, and Marathi, and consequently, Hindi literature.
Direct Connection: Hindi literature has a direct and substantial connection with the Jain literature found in Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Rajasthani.
Shared Literary Forms:
- Raso Literature and Charitkavya (Biographical Poetry): The "prabandh kavyas" (narrative poems) written in Apabhramsha have a direct lineage to Hindi's Raso literature. The origins of Raso are found in Prakrit and Apabhramsha, linked to storytelling and dance. Jain poets penned works in the Raso style, comparable to prominent works like "Prithviraj Raso."
- Premakhyanak Kavya (Romance Poetry): Many "premakhyanak kavyas" in Hindi, presenting folk tales as love stories, have their roots in Prakrit and Apabhramsha narratives like "Tarangavati Katha" and "Lilavaiikaha," and Apabhramsha stories like "Bhavisatt Kaha" and "Vilashvadi Kaha." The story of "Dhola Maru Ra Doha" particularly showcases narrative forms and conventions prevalent in Apabhramsha tales.
- Ramkatha (Ram's Epic): The influence of Apabhramsha literature on Hindi's iconic "Ramcharit Manas" by Tulsidas is highlighted. The way the Ram story is presented in Tulsidas's work, including the metaphor of the river, the lake, expressions of humility, descriptions of good and bad characters, the use of Doha and Chaupai meters, the emphasis on Rama's human form, stylistic similarities in descriptions, and the significant use of Prakrit and Apabhramsha words (around 60%), all indicate that Tulsidas transmitted the Jain tradition of Ramkatha to the Hindi era.
Chhanda and Alankara (Meter and Poetic Devices): Many meters and poetic devices used in Hindi literature have their origins in Prakrit and Apabhramsha. Apabhramsha poetry often experimented with combining various meters to create new ones, such as Chhappay, Vastu, Rara, and Kundaliya, which are extensively used in Hindi.
Muktaka Kavya (Stanzaic Poetry): The tradition of stanzaic poetry in Hindi, exemplified by poets like Kabir, Vidyapati, Tulsidas, Mira, and Bihari, often utilizes the Doha meter. The Doha is seen as a developed form of the Prakrit "Gatha Chand," used by Jain poets from the 1st century onwards. Works like "Gatha Saptashati" and "Vajjālagga" have inspired Hindi stanzaic poetry in terms of form and subject matter. A remarkable similarity is noted between "Gatha Saptashati" and "Biharisatsai."
Narrative Influence: The influence of Jain literature on the narratives of several Hindi texts is evident. Jaisi's "Padmavat" shows a clear impact of Prakrit and Apabhramsha narratives, particularly in its descriptions of locations, seasons, and the portrayal of the heroine Padmini from Singhaladvipa. The author suggests that Jaisi might have been familiar with Jain narrative works, as many heroines in Prakrit and Apabhramsha tales are from Singhaladvipa, with similar descriptions of how they are attained.
Influence on Sant and Bhakti Literature: Jain literature has also influenced Hindi's Sant (mystic) and Bhakti (devotional) literature. During the Prakrit and Apabhramsha eras, many Jain ascetics like Yogendra Muni, Ram Singh Kavi, Anandghan, and Suprabhacharya emphasized mental purification and rejected outward rituals. Similarly, Hindi Sant poets like Kabir championed the internal manifestation of God, rejecting idol worship. The text provides parallel quotes from Jain and Hindi saints on the immanence of God within the mind and the equality of all souls, rejecting caste distinctions. The concept of the self as the ultimate refuge for salvation is also a common theme.

In conclusion, the text posits that a deep and scholarly study of the Jain literature available in Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Rajasthani, and Hindi can invigorate the development of Hindi literature. It also advocates for making Jain literature more accessible to the general public and believes that such in-depth research can offer a new perspective on the cultural history of India through its literature.