Jainpad Sangraha 01

This is a summary of the Jain text "Jainpad Sangraha 01", authored by Nathuram Premi and published by Jain Granth Ratnakar Karyalay.

Book Title: Jainpad Sangraha 01 Author: Nathuram Premi Publisher: Jain Granth Ratnakar Karyalay Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/010375/1

Overview:

"Jainpad Sangraha 01" is the first volume in a series aiming to compile and publish devotional songs (pads) composed by various Jain poets. This particular volume is dedicated to the works of Kavi Daulatramji. The editor, Nathuram Premi, notes that the initial title "Daulat Vilas" was changed to "Jainpad Sangraha Pratham Bhag" because the complete collection of Daulatramji's poetry was not obtained. The publisher expresses a desire to systematically publish the works of ancient Jain poets to preserve their legacy and counter the neglect and potential corruption of these valuable texts by less knowledgeable writers.

Key Points from the Introduction and Preface:

• Purpose: The book aims to provide a collection of devotional songs (pads) by Jain poets, starting with Daulatramji. The larger goal is to create a comprehensive repository of Jain poetry for the benefit of readers and to preserve ancient literary heritage.
• Author (Daulatramji): Kavi Daulatramji is presented as an important Jain poet whose complete works were not readily available. The editor highlights the disappointment of not receiving all his compositions despite requests.
• Challenges in Compilation: The editor faced difficulties due to the lack of cooperation from some community members, leading to incomplete collections. Some submissions were also found to be altered or attributed to the wrong author. The book mentions the exclusion of "Chhahdhala" as it is considered a separate work, and a specific pad ("Nath mohi tarat kyon na?") was removed due to its likely attribution to another poet.
• Editorial Efforts: Nathuram Premi has revised and presented this collection. The publisher mentions that the book was printed at Nirnaysagar Press in Mumbai. The second edition, published as "Jainpad Sangraha Pratham Bhag," includes more annotations to help readers understand the deeper meanings and complex vocabulary of Daulatramji's verses, which are described as profound and difficult.
• Future Plans: The publisher intends to publish collections of other prominent Jain poets like Pt. Bhakanchandji, Pt. Bhudaradasji, and Kavi Dhyanrayji in subsequent volumes.
• Correction and Collaboration: The preface encourages readers to notify the publisher of any errors or provide information about additional works by these poets to aid in future editions.
• Fair Use Declaration: The collection is sourced from another online repository and provided under Fair Use guidelines for educational and research purposes, believing the book to be in the public domain. The TFIC team emphasizes its mission to make valuable books accessible and not to undermine original digitization projects.

Content of the "Pads" (Devotional Songs):

The book contains numerous devotional songs praising Tirthankaras, particularly the first Tirthankara, Adinath (Rishabhdev), and other Jain principles. The songs often express:

• Devotion to Jinendra: Praising the omniscient and liberated souls (Tirthankaras) for their attributes like omniscience, eternal bliss, and freedom from worldly attachments and karma.
• Spiritual Journey: Describing the soul's journey through various life forms, the suffering caused by attachment to the physical body and worldly possessions, and the path to liberation through right faith, knowledge, and conduct (Ratnatraya).
• Self-Realization: Emphasizing the importance of understanding the true nature of the soul as distinct from the body and karma, and finding inner peace and bliss.
• Moral Teachings: Conveying ethical principles such as non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness, non-possession, and detachment.
• Metaphorical Language: Utilizing metaphors and allegories to explain spiritual concepts. For instance, the soul is described as a traveler, and the path to liberation is like a boat journey across a turbulent ocean.

Overall Impression:

"Jainpad Sangraha 01" is a significant compilation for Jain devotional literature, making the verses of Kavi Daulatramji accessible to a wider audience. It reflects the editor's dedication to preserving and disseminating Jain religious and philosophical teachings through poetry, while also highlighting the ongoing efforts to enrich this literary collection.