Jain Stotra Sandohe Part 01

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text, "Jain Stotra Sandohe Part 01," authored by Chaturvijay and published by Sarabhai Manilal Nawab. The text is a collection of Jain hymns (stotras) and prayers.

Here's a breakdown of its key aspects based on the provided pages:

1. Title and Authorship:

• Book Title: Jain Stotra Sandohe (जैनस्तोत्रसन्दोहे) - meaning "A Collection of Jain Hymns."
• Part: Part 01 (प्रथमो भागः)
• Author/Compiler: Muni Chaturvijay (मुनिः चतुरविजयः) - presented as a disciple (चरणकिङ्करः) of Pujya Dakshinavihari Shrimad Amarvijay.
• Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, Ahmedabad (साराभाई मणिलाल नवाब, अहमदावाद).
• Publication Year: Veer Samvat 2459 (वीर सं. २४५९), Vikram Samvat 1989 (विक्रम सं. १९८९), which corresponds to 1932 CE.
• Price: Five Rupees (रु. ५/-).
• Series: This is the first volume of the "Prachina Jain Sahityodhara Granthavali" (प्राचीन (जैन) साहित्योद्धारग्रन्थावल्याः) - Ancient Jain Literature Publication Series.

2. Content and Purpose:

• The book is a vast collection of ancient, previously unpublished Jain hymns and prayers.
• These hymns are composed by various learned Jain monks and scholars from different periods.
• The primary purpose is to preserve and promote the rich literary and devotional heritage of Jainism.
• The hymns are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras (Prophets/Jain Prophets or Tirthankaras) and other divine figures.
• The collection showcases the depth of devotional sentiment, philosophical insights, artistic expression, and literary mastery within Jain literature.
• It is intended for the study of Ardha-Magadhi language and Jain literature, deserving a place in libraries, scholarly collections, and the personal devotion of monks and householders.

3. Editorial and Publication Details:

• The editor and researcher is Pujya Dakshinavihari Shrimad Amarvijay (पू. दक्षिणविहारिश्रीमदमरविजयमुनिवराणां). The compiler, Chaturvijay Muni, humbly presents himself as his humble servant (चरणकिंकरः).
• The publisher, Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, expresses his gratitude and fulfillment in bringing out this collection.
• The book is printed by Mulchandbhai Trikamlal Patel at his Suryaprakash Printing Press in Ahmedabad.
• Rights are reserved for the publisher.

4. Foreword/Preface:

• Professor K. V. Abhyankar, Professor of Sanskrit and Ardha-Magadhi at Gujarat College, Ahmedabad, provides a foreword. He acknowledges the presumption in writing a foreword but highlights the book'A's importance for students and the Jain community. He praises the collection as a "pioneer" for the series, opening new vistas for Jain studies. He notes the book contains 119 prayers from diverse writers across various time periods, offering variety in topics, ideas, sentiments, styles, and meters, making it interesting for historians, philosophers, poets, linguists, and more. He expects a warm welcome for this volume and believes readers supporting it indirectly aid the spread of Jain and Ardha-Magadhi literature.
• Sarabhai Manilal Nawab (the publisher) expresses immense joy in presenting the collection. He attributes the success and beauty of the compilation to the immense effort and inspiration of Muni Shri Chaturvijayji Maharaj, under the guidance of Muni Shri Amarvijayji Maharaj. He feels indebted to them and grateful for the opportunity to publish such a valuable work. He defines stotras as poems composed for praise, reflecting the composer's inner aspirations and the high purity and elevation of Jain monks' thoughts. He laments the decline of rich literature due to materialism in recent times, stressing the importance of preserving these ancient Jain stotras. He mentions the inspiration from Pujya Sagarānand Surishwarji Maharaj for this endeavor.
• The preface by Muni Chaturvijayji (compiler) is extensive, providing a historical overview of Jain stotra literature. He details the importance and characteristics of stotras in Jainism, referencing ancient scriptures. He discusses the evolution and preservation efforts of Jain stotras, noting that many remain uncollected and unpublished. He highlights the contributions of various Acharyas and poets, listing names like Pandit Bālabrahmachari Jain Acharyas, Pandit Vādigajakesari Bhagwan Hemchandrasurishwarji, Shri Ramchandra, Amarachandra, Haribhadra Suri, Jinabhadrāsvāmi, Dhanpal Kavi, and Shri Shripal, among others. He categorizes the stotras based on their focus (e.g., thousand names, hundred names, stanzas, scripture-based) and linguistic style (e.g., Apabhramsha). He also emphasizes the role of early initiation (bāl dīkṣā) in producing learned and spiritually inclined individuals within the Jain tradition. He shares his personal childhood fascination with stotras, particularly the Bhaktāmara Stotra. The compiler also provides details about specific rare diagrams (yantra) and ancient images included in the book, such as the image of Gautam Swami and Padmavati Devi, emphasizing their authenticity and ancient origins. He requests readers to treat these sacred items with reverence and avoid any disrespect (āśātanā).

4. Contents of the Stotra Collection (Partial Index): The index (अनुक्रमणिका) lists 119 stotras with their titles and attributed authors. Some prominent names mentioned as authors of these stotras include:

• Bhadrabahu Swami
• Shri Vajraswami
• Āryānandila
• Shri Vijayasiṃhācārya
• Bappabhaṭṭisūri
• Kavi Shri Dhanapal
• Ācārya Amitagati
• Muni Candrasūri
• Shri Candraprakāśa Sūri
• Shri Abhayadevasūri
• Shri Jinavallabhasūri
• Haribhadra Sūri
• Shri Dharma Sūri
• Pārśvadeva Gaṇi
• Candrācārya
• Jinadatta Sūri
• Jinapati Sūri
• Jineśvara Sūri
• Vādidēvasūri
• Hemchandrācārya
• Ramachandra Sūri
• Shripāla Kavi
• Amara Chandra Sūri
• Kanaka Prabha
• Nara Chandra Sūri
• Devendra Sūri
• Shri Dharma Ghosh Sūri
• Shri Soma Prabha Sūri
• Soma Tilaka Sūri
• Shri Shubha Sundar Gaṇi
• Nyāyavācāspati Shri Yashovijayji

5. Notable Features:

• Preservation of Lost Literature: The book aims to bring to light many valuable stotras that were previously unpublished or inaccessible.
• Historical and Literary Value: It serves as a crucial resource for understanding the history of Jain literature, the evolution of devotional poetry, and the intellectual contributions of various Jain scholars.
• Scholarly Apparatus: The inclusion of forewords, prefaces, and an index by eminent scholars and monks enhances the book's value.
• Illustrations and Diagrams: The inclusion of images of deities (Gautam Swami, Padmavati Devi) and ancient diagrams (yantras) related to mantras adds a unique dimension.
• Linguistic Study: The collection presents various linguistic styles, including Sanskrit and Prakrit, with some works in Apabhramsha.

In essence, "Jain Stotra S_andohe Part 01" is a foundational work for the study and appreciation of Jain devotional literature, meticulously compiled and presented to revive and disseminate the profound spiritual and literary legacy of the Jain tradition.