Limbdi Gyanbhandarnu Avalokan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Limbdi Gyanbhandarnu Avalokan" by Punyavijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Limbdi Gyanbhandarnu Avalokan (An Examination of the Limbdi Jain Knowledge Repository) Author: Punyavijay Publisher: Punyavijayji Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/230219/1

Overall Theme:

This text, an "Avlokan" (examination or review), delves into the history, establishment, preservation, and contents of ancient Jain knowledge repositories, with a particular focus on the Limbdi Jain Gyanbhandar. It emphasizes the historical context of manuscript creation, the motivations behind establishing these repositories, the challenges they have faced, and the current state of preservation and organization.

Key Points and Sections:

1. Introduction and the Establishment of Knowledge Repositories (Page 1-2):

• The author begins by stating the importance of understanding the establishment and protection of ancient Jain knowledge repositories before focusing on Limbdi.
• Origins: These repositories were founded based on:
  • Notes found at the end of ancient palm-leaf, cloth, and paper manuscripts.
  • Historical narrative texts like "Dharmabhyudaya" (Vartupalcharitra), "Prabhavakcharitra," "Vartupalcharitra" by Jinharsuri, "Kumarapalaprabandha," "Sukrutasagar Mahakavya," and "Upadeshtarangini."
  • Historical "Rasa" works like "Kumarapalarasa" and "Vartupal-Tejpalrasa."
  • Various notes found in loose old pages.
• Motivations: Knowledge repositories were established through the guidance of learned monks of various Gachhas (sects/lineages) or by:
  • Kings, ministers, and wealthy householders for auspicious occasions like the completion of penance (udhyapan), listening to scriptures (vinag mishravana), for their own welfare or the welfare of departed relatives, due to interest in literature, or other good causes.
  • Even ordinary individuals contributed, adhering to the principle of "drop by drop fills the lake," to build great repositories. The author stresses that these seemingly small contributions are invaluable.
• Manuscript Mediums: While manuscripts were primarily found on palm-leaf, paper, and cloth, the author notes they are not found on materials like birch bark or plant leaves, nor is it likely they were written on them.
• Rare Cloth Manuscripts: The text mentions that books written on cloth are rare. The Patan Sangh has two such books, one dating to Samvat 1418. These are made by joining pieces of plain cotton cloth, writing on both sides, and polishing them. Cloth was also used for illustrated posters sent to monks during the rainy season or for prayers.

2. Royal Patronage of Knowledge Repositories (Page 3):

• King Siddharaja: Renowned for establishing libraries, he gathered three hundred scribes to write texts on all philosophical systems and made hundreds of copies of Acharya Hemachandra's grammar text, distributing them to scholars and sending them to various regions.
• King Kumarapala: Established twenty-one knowledge repositories and had palm-leaf and paper copies of Jain Agamas and Acharya Hemachandra's "Yogashastra-Vitragastav" written in gold letters.
• The author acknowledges that other kings might have sponsored Jain texts and repositories, but specific mentions are lacking.

3. Ministerial Patronage of Knowledge Repositories (Page 3-4):

• Vastupal-Tejpal: Prominent ministers from the Porwad community, they were disciples of Acharyas Vijaysen Suri and Udayaprabh Suri of the Nagendragachha. They established knowledge repositories under their guidance.
• Pethad Shah: Minister of Mandavgadh from the Oswal community, he was a disciple of Acharya Dharmaghosh Suri of the Tapagachha. Inspired by Dharmaghosh Suri, he started listening to the Bhagavati Sutra. He worshipped the name "Vir Gautam" in the text with gold coins. With the amassed wealth, he financed the writing of books and established repositories in seven places, including Bharuch.
• Other ministers like Vimal Shah and Ambrath (Ambad), Vagbhat (Bahud) might have also established repositories, but evidence is scarce.

4. Patronage by Wealthy Householders (Page 4-5):

• Numerous wealthy householders contributed significantly. It's impossible to list all of them.
• Some householders had many copies of newly composed texts made at the instruction of their gurus.
• Others only got copies of the Kalpasutra made and distributed them to upashrayas (monastic dwellings) in their villages or to other villages.
• The author expresses gratitude to all such individuals who, through their merit and effort, established numerous knowledge repositories.
• He recommends consulting works edited by scholars like Dr. Kilhorn and Dr. Peterson for more detailed information on these patrons.

5. Decline and Destruction of Repositories (Page 5-6):

• Despite the establishment of hundreds of repositories, many have become dilapidated or destroyed due to:
  • The vagaries of time.
  • Political upheavals.
  • The decline of the Jain monastic community (yati).
  • Ignorance within the Jain society.
• Destruction: The text blames fallen monks (patita yati varga) for destroying hundreds of repositories in Gujarat, Marwar, Mewar, South India, and Bengal. Even Jain householders, sometimes due to ignorance or under the influence of misguided monks, caused the destruction of precious books by:
  • Feeding them to termites.
  • Deterioration due to moisture and dampness.
  • Damage by rats.
  • Disorderly arrangement during times of turmoil, leading to mixing of pages.
  • Being thrown into rivers, seas, or old wells.
• Many invaluable and rare texts were lost. However, learned monks have been able to salvage hundreds of previously unheard-of and important texts from these discarded collections.
• Call to Action: The author urges readers who encounter scattered old pages to take them to knowledgeable monks or householders to help preserve these valuable texts.

6. Contents of Modern Repositories (Page 6-7):

• Current major Jain repositories are formed from the remnants of these older ones.
• The value and significance of these repositories are attributed to these salvaged remnants.
• Categories of Remnants: These remnants can be classified into:
  • Rare and invaluable texts by known or unknown Acharyas, including their improved sutras, commentaries (bhashya), glosses (churni), and annotations (tika).
  • Copies of commentaries, biographies, and treatises written by their authors or as first copies by trusted scholars.
  • Autographs of revered monks and great personalities.
  • Ancient copies of known ancient texts.
  • Copies commissioned by kings, ministers, and householders.
  • Illustrated books and individual illustrations.
  • Books written in gold and silver ink.

7. Protection of Knowledge Repositories (Page 6-8):

• Two Divisions of Protection:
  • Protection from External Threats: During times of political upheaval, such as the animosity of King Ajaypal towards King Kumarapala or the religious fanaticism of the Mughals, repositories were protected through foresight and valor by relocating them or defending them. The author cites Vagbhat's actions to save the library during Ajaypal's reign, where Vagbhat and his loyal soldiers sacrificed their lives.
  • Protection from Natural Deterioration: Protection from cold, dampness, termites, rats, etc.
• Protection from Deterioration:
  • Cold/Dampness: Manuscripts should be tied tightly to prevent cold from entering, as per the saying, "Tie a book like an enemy." Even when pages are temporarily removed for study, the rest should be kept bound. Care should be taken to prevent excessive exposure to air. The practice of closing repositories during the monsoon is to prevent books from being affected by air.
  • Sticking Pages: If pages stick due to excessive gum in the ink (from the ink-maker's ignorance or stubbornness), a fine powder of sandalwood (ghodavajra) can be sprinkled on each page to prevent sticking.
  • Separating Sticking Pages: For badly stuck pages, place the book in a dry place or in an empty, clean pot that has held water. After exposing it to damp air, gently separate the pages. If very stuck, expose them to more dampness before separating, but do not rush. Another method is to leave them open indoors during heavy monsoon rain and then separate them, again sprinkling sandalwood powder to prevent re-sticking. This is for paper books.
  • Palm-Leaf Books: Wrap palm-leaf books in a wet, squeezed cloth. Carefully separate pages as they loosen. The ink on palm leaves is durable, so there's no risk of smudging if the cloth is merely wrapped around, but do not intentionally rub wet cloth on the letters. Be cautious to prevent the delicate inner surface of the pages from tearing.
• Storage: Repository spaces should be free from moisture and protected from rain.
• Protective Verses: The text includes Sanskrit verses found at the end of some manuscripts regarding book protection: "Protect in water, protect on land, protect from loose bindings. Do not give into the hands of fools, thus speaks the booklet." and "Protect from fire, protect from water, especially from mice. Preserve with effort the scripture written with difficulty."

8. Gyanpanchami (Page 8-9):

• Kartik Shukla Panchami is celebrated as Gyanpanchami, with special emphasis on its importance.
• Reason: The monsoon season's damp air can harm books. To prevent this, books need to be exposed to sunlight. Also, during the monsoon, repositories are kept closed, and dust and debris need to be cleaned to prevent termites. Kartik month is the best time for this due to the dry, clear autumn weather.
• Purpose: To encourage the practice of knowledge preservation, learned Svetambara Jain monks amplified the significance of Gyanpanchami, explaining its benefits and the knowledge devotion it fosters. People began observing vows like ahārādinam niyama and paushadh vrat on this day.
• Current Situation: The author laments that the true purpose of Gyanpanchami is neglected. Instead of inspecting repositories, cleaning them, airing books, and replacing deterrents, many now merely establish and worship the few surviving books they possess. This negligence has led to many precious collections being destroyed by termites, citing the example of Muni Shri Jayamuniji's collection in Surat.

9. The Limbdi Gyanbhandar - Establishment and History (Page 9-12):

• Establishment Date: No written record of the establishment date or founder has been found. However, the administration has been continuous since the time of Seth Dosa Devchand.
• Pre-Devchand Era: The presence of some books written in Limbdi before his time suggests the repository predates him.
• Possible Origin: Given Limbdi's status as the capital of the Sthanakvasi sect, the books might have been placed there by monks for their frequent need during discussions.
• Dosa Devchand's Contribution: While Dosa Devchand and his family had a strong affection for the repositories, their expenditure on commissioning books was minimal. Only a few small books like Sūtakrutanirukti were written by them.
• Expansion: The repository was likely not as extensive initially. Details about later additions are incomplete.
• Additions: In Samvat 1920, under Acharya Shri Riddhisagarji, the Sangh purchased and added some books. In Samvat 1979-83, collections of Achal Gachha, Paychand Gachha, Muni Shri Vinodvijayji, and Sadhvi Shri Nemshriji were added.
• Palm-Leaf Manuscripts: The palm-leaf manuscripts were brought from the Patan Sangh's repository by Seth Dosa Devchand, who deposited 500 rupees as a security deposit. This deposit is still held by Patan's repository keepers. It's unclear if the money belonged to Dosa Devchand personally or the Limbdi Sangh.

10. Administration of the Limbdi Gyanbhandar (Page 10-13):

• Early Administration: The repository was managed by Seth Dosa Devchand and his descendants until Samvat 1946, when it came under the Sangh's authority.
• Mismanagement and Loss: Before and after the Sangh took over, some individuals, taking advantage of the administrators' trust or ignorance, misused their access for improving, cataloging, or borrowing books, leading to disorganization and loss of books. Examples include incomplete copies of Achara Churni, missing Nandichurni and Shraddhavidhi, a stolen golden-ink Bhagavati Sutra replaced with a Rasa, and a stolen portion of Linganushasan with a Rasa inserted.
• Restoration Efforts:
  • In Samvat 1978, Muni Shri Kantivijayji oversaw the systematic organization of the repository by Muni Shri Chaturvijayji. Each manuscript's pages were counted, mis-placed pages were re-arranged, and paper covers were added with details (name, page number, repository number). Books were tied with string.
  • The collection was moved from boxes to cupboards.
  • Seth Maganlal Vaghji of Wadhwan Camp sponsored this arrangement.
• Shortcomings of Early Arrangements:
  • Boxes were larger than the books, causing damage when removing and replacing them.
  • Gummed covers were prone to tearing at the edges when removed or re-attached.
  • Books lent out were not properly returned or handled with care.

11. Cataloging Efforts (Page 13-14):

• Early Catalog: Whether an initial catalog existed is unknown.
• Existing Catalogs:
  • A catalog by Muni Shri Riddhisagarji (Samvat 1920).
  • A more detailed catalog by Professor Ravji Devraj of the Jain Svetambara Conference (around Samvat 1960), which includes book name, pages, language, author, verse count, and dates of composition/writing.
  • The latest catalog was done by the author's guru, Muni Shri Chaturvijayji.
• The author leaves the evaluation of the latest catalog and arrangement to the examiners.

12. Contents and Notable Sections of the Limbdi Gyanbhandar (Page 14-18):

• Manuscript Types: The repository contains paper and palm-leaf manuscripts.
  • Paper: The longest paper manuscript is "Vanasaroddharak Tika."
  • Palm-Leaf: "Dnyatadharmakatha" and its commentary are the oldest palm-leaf manuscripts.
• Age: The oldest paper manuscript, "Prashnottaravalitika," is estimated to be from the 14th century.
• Ink: Two manuscripts are in gold ink; the rest are in black ink. Red ink is used in some paper books for decorative purposes or to highlight key sections.
• Script: All books are written in Jain Devanagari script.
• Format: Paper manuscripts are written in Tripāṭha (three parts), Pañchapāṭha (five parts), and Shūdra (continuous writing).
• Admirable Sections (Darshaniya Vibhag):
  • Corrected Texts: Important corrected texts include palm-leaf copies of Jain Chhedasutras and their commentaries, with the "Gītārthajaman" commentary being the purest.
  • Scholarly Works: A copy of Vidyanand Swami's "Pramāṇaparīkṣā" (Digambara Acharya) is noted for its purity and attractive binding, surpassing even the "Kaḷpabhāṣya" copy. It contains extensive annotations, alternative readings, and symbols to clarify complex discussions.
  • Scholarly Annotations: Texts like "Upadeshamāla," "Uṇādvṛtti," etc., are also mentioned as being corrected, though a full review is pending.
  • Authorship of Corrections: The names of the correctors are not always mentioned. For example, Tejoraaj Gani of the 16th century is credited with corrections in several texts. His handwriting is exemplified in a copy of "Bhava-bhavana Prakaraṇa."
  • Golden Ink Manuscripts:
    • A illustrated golden ink copy of the Kalpasutra (MS. #7), with 96 pages. While the script is beautiful, the amount of gold is moderate, making it only "average" in terms of shimmer. It contains a praise passage.
    • A 12-page golden ink copy of "Adhyātmarasa" by Shri Devchandji and "Sheetalapāṭalastava." This copy is ordinary in script and shine.
  • Illustrations: Examples of illustrated sections include #7 (Kalpasutra), #3411 (Kalpasutra), #2411 (Twenty-four Tirthankaras, etc.), and #1820 (hellish beings).
    • Illustrations in #97 and #395 are beautiful, expressive, and natural. They are contrasted with older, less naturalistic illustrations seen in some ancient Kalpasutra texts. The golden-ink manuscript's illustrations are beautiful but not entirely naturalistic. Tirthankara, Sati, and Naraka illustrations are considered average and likely from the 19th century.
  • Jointed Books (Sandhel Pustako): Five such books are highlighted as exceptionally noteworthy and rare. These books were damaged by mice or attrition, with about a quarter of their pages eaten away. They were skillfully repaired by Muni Shri Jinharsuri and his disciples, to the extent that the repairs are almost imperceptible. The new writing matches the original author's style perfectly. These are large texts, running into thousands of verses. The repair work, executed without modern machinery, is considered a marvel of human art.
    • Examples of Jointed Books and their repair dates: #40 Jita Kaḷpa Bhāṣya (Samvat 2344), #42 Pañch Kalpa Chūrṇi (Samvat 246), #43 Bṛhat Kalpa Chūrṇi (Samvat 1602), #44 Niśītha Bhāṣya (Shak Samvat 1128). The repair process spanned from Samvat 1544 to 1563.
  • Author's Skill: A unique example of writing skill is found in the 13-page copy of "Ratṇoday" (#1149) where the author used red and black ink to create a continuous hidden message woven into the text.

13. Lending Policy (Page 18):

• Due to past experiences with unfaithful borrowers, the current administrators have a policy requiring a cash deposit of one rupee per page for borrowed books, and books are only lent out partially (e.g., 100 pages for books over 200 pages). The author suggests that exceptions might sometimes be necessary.

14. Catalog Appendices (Page 18-19):

• The provided list is arranged alphabetically, not by the repository's physical arrangement.
• Appendices:
  • Appendix 1: List of books added later by Muni Shri Nemshriji.
  • Appendix 2: Index of book authors.
  • Appendix 3: Subject-wise list of books for easier access. The author acknowledges potential minor disarray in this section despite careful preparation.
  • Appendix 4: Inscriptions on Jain temple idols in Limbdi and a letter from a Jain monk to a leading merchant in Limbdi from about 150 years ago.

15. Limbdi State's Pride (Page 19):

• The repository is considered a significant asset for the Limbdi State, contributing to its prestige if its value is recognized.

16. Conclusion (Page 19):

• The author concludes by thanking all those who contributed, nurtured, protected, and managed the Limbdi Gyanbhandar through their body, mind, and wealth.

Supplement (Page 19-22):

• Seth Dosa Devchand and his Family: This section provides biographical details based on the "Tapasya-Git" by poet Jeram and "Tapa Mahiman-Bhāsa" by Lalvijay.
  • It details the lineage of Dosa Devchand, his sons Jetha and Kasala, and their descendants.
  • It recounts significant religious activities during their time, including the installation of statues, the organization of pilgrimages (sanghs), and extensive acts of penance (tapas).
  • The lineage tree shows the descendants, with only about seven members still alive. The author laments the decline in the dedication and qualities of Dosa Devchand's descendants.
• Family Activities: Dosa Devchand commissioned the installation of statues and organized pilgrimages. His grandson Meraj also commissioned a statue. The author notes that the statues installed in Samvat 1860 were likely commissioned by family members in the name of Dosa Devchand, who passed away in Samvat 1832.
• Historical Notes: The supplement includes inscriptions on statues and mentions the involvement of Dosa Devchand and his family in religious affairs and the repository. It also clarifies the lineage of the Vohra family and their conversion from Sthanakvasi to Murtipujaka and back to Sthanakvasi. The letter from Padmvijayji to Kasala Vohra highlights Kasala Vohra's knowledge and status in the Sangh.

This summary covers the main aspects of the provided pages, outlining the historical context, the importance of Jain knowledge repositories, the specific details about the Limbdi Gyanbhandar, its administration, its contents, and the families involved in its preservation.