Kavya Prakash Dwitya Trutiya Ullas

This document is a comprehensive catalog and introductory material for a Jain text titled "Kavya Prakash Dwitya Trutiya Ullas" (Poetic Light, Second and Third Chapters) by Upadhyaya Yashovijay. The catalog is part of a larger initiative called "Aho Shrutgyanam Granth Jirnoddhar" (Oh, Auditory Knowledge, Restoration of Ancient Texts), which aims to preserve and digitize rare Jain manuscripts.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented in the document:

1. The Book:

• Title: Kavya Prakash Dwitya Trutiya Ullas (Poetic Light, Second and Third Chapters)
• Author/Commentator: Upadhyaya Yashovijay
• Publisher: Yashobharti Jain Prakashan Samiti
• Original Work: Kavya Prakash by Acharya Mammata
• Focus: This edition specifically covers the Second and Third Ullasa (chapters) of Mammata's Kavya Prakash.
• Language: The original commentary is in Sanskrit, with a Hindi translation and preface.
• Significance: This edition features a rare commentary by Yashovijay, a renowned Jain scholar, on Mammata's highly influential work on poetics. The initiative highlights the rediscovery and publication of previously scarce Jain texts.

2. The "Aho Shrutgyanam Granth Jirnoddhar" Initiative:

• Purpose: To scan and create DVDs of rare and hard-to-find ancient books, making them accessible for download on the website www.ahoshrut.org.
• Organizers/Key Figures:
  • Conceptualizer/Coordinator: Shah Babulal Saramel Bedawala
  • Supporting Donor: Shah Vimlaben Saramel Javerchandji Bedawala
  • Inspiration: Acharya Shri Tirthbhadrasurishwarji M.S.
• Publisher: Shri Ashapooran Parshwanath Jain Gyanbhandar
• Catalog Numbers: The document provides a numbered list of hundreds of Jain texts that have been digitized and preserved through this project, spanning various subjects like scriptures, philosophy, grammar, architecture, astronomy, music, and history. The specific book "Kavya Prakash Dwitya Trutiya Ullas" is listed as item #183 in Set No. 6, published in Samvat 2071 (E. 2015).

3. Key Content and Sections:

• Front Matter: Includes acknowledgments, donor information, and the year of publication.
• Catalog of Digitized Books: Pages 2-11 list numerous Jain texts, their authors/commentators, page counts, and sometimes the language or publisher. This section illustrates the vast scope of the "Aho Shrutgyanam" project.
• Introduction to Kavya Prakash and Yashovijay:
  • "Pradhan Sampadakiy Purovachan" (Chief Editor's Preface) by Muni Shri Yashovijayji Maharaj: This section discusses the significance of Kavya Prakash, its author Mammata, and the scholarly contributions of Jain acharyas to poetics. It also introduces the commentary by Upadhyaya Yashovijay, highlighting its scholarly depth and the collaborative effort involved in its publication, including the role of Dr. Harsha Nath Mishra (Hindi Translator) and Dr. Rudra Deo Tripathi (Editor). It details the challenges in finding and preserving Yashovijay's commentary, mentioning the discovery of his manuscript and its comparison with other texts.
  • "Upo_dhat" (Preface/Introduction) by Dr. Rudra Deo Tripathi: This extensive section provides a historical overview of Indian poetics, the emergence of Kavya Shastra, and the contributions of Jain scholars to this field. It analyzes Mammata's work, its unique features, the vast body of commentary available, and the specific characteristics of Yashovijay's commentary, emphasizing its logical, naya-based approach. It lists various commentators of Kavya Prakash, including Jain scholars.
  • Biography of Upadhyaya Yashovijay: This section details Yashovijayji Maharaj's life, from his birth and early education to his renunciation, scholarly pursuits (including his mastery of various philosophies and his proficiency in logic), his prestigious titles like 'Nyayavisharad' and 'Nayacharya,' his extensive literary works, and his contributions to Jainism and Gujarati literature. It also mentions his remarkable memory and his respected status among both Jain and non-Jain scholars. His final days and memorial are also briefly described.
  • Detailed Analysis of the Commentary (Second and Third Ullasa): This part goes into specific details about the content covered in the commentary, including:
    • Second Ullasa: Focuses on the nature of word (shabd) and meaning (arth) in poetry, their three types (vachya, lakshya, vyangya), and the three vrittis (abhidha, lakshana, vyanjana). It delves into intricate philosophical debates regarding the nature of meaning, the concept of 'sanketa' (convention), and various theories like Abhihitānvaya-vada and Anvitābhidhāna-vāda.
    • Third Ullasa: Explores the concept of 'Vyanjana' (suggestion) as the primary means of conveying aesthetic meaning, its various types, and how it is conveyed through the writer, listener, tone (kaku), context, sentences, and even gestures. It critically analyzes different interpretations and opinions of previous commentators.

4. Catalog of Works by Upadhyaya Yashovijayji Maharaj:

• Extensive List: Pages 177-187 provide a remarkably detailed catalog of Yashovijayji's vast literary output. This list includes works in Sanskrit and Prakrit (with their commentaries), commentaries on works by non-Jain scholars, translations, edited works, and works currently under consideration or yet to be published. It highlights his mastery across diverse subjects like logic, grammar, philosophy, poetry, and religious literature.

5. Other Appendices:

• Appendices 1 & 2: Lists of verses (shlokas) and examples (udaharanas) used in the second and third Ullasa of Kavya Prakash, along with their references in the commentary and translation.
• Appendix 3: A list of works by Upadhyaya Yashovijayji Maharaj.
• Appendix 4: A list of literary and artistic works inspired or guided by Muni Yashovijayji Maharaj.

In essence, this document serves as a scholarly edition and a testament to the preservation efforts of Jain heritage, specifically highlighting the critical work of Upadhyaya Yashovijayji Maharaj in the field of Indian poetics.