Literary Critic Shri Jugalkishor Mukhtar Yugveer - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Literary Critic Shri Jugalkishor Mukhtar Yugveer" by Atmanandji:

This text is a biographical account of Shri Jugalkishore Mukhtar, also known by his honorific title "YugVeer," a prominent figure who significantly contributed to Jain culture, literature, and society in the early 20th century. He is described as a learned literary critic, a research scholar in Indology, a composer, and a writer who dedicated his life to serving Jainism without much concern for wealth or honor.

Early Life and Education:

Born in 1878 in Sarsava, Uttar Pradesh, to Chaudhary Natthumal Jain Agrawal and Shrimati Bhoidevi Jain Agrawal.
Demonstrated exceptional intelligence from a young age, mastering Urdu and Persian in a few years, a task that typically took ten years. He also studied Sanskrit and Hindi diligently, surprising his teachers.
His interest extended to English, which he learned in his spare time from the local postmaster.
He received his early education up to standard five in Sarsava and then attended the Government High School in Saharanpur until standard nine. He completed his matriculation through private study.
Jugalkishore had a deep and consistent interest in Jain scriptures, regularly studying religious texts like the "Dash Laxani Parva" from childhood.
He was married at a young age (13-14) while still studying, becoming a householder early in life.
His wife played a crucial role in his intellectual development, supporting his pursuit of advanced learning.

Developing a Literary and Intellectual Path:

Jugalkishore's literary journey began with writing for the "Jain Gazette" and composing poems. He was deeply impressed by the book "Anitya Panchashat" and translated it into Hindi poetry.
A pivotal moment in his life occurred during a family celebration when he, as a young boy, corrected ladies singing inappropriate songs, composing a new song that reflected cultural ideals and scriptural values. This incident spurred his literary creativity.
He recognized Hindi as the most suitable language for expressing the richness of Indian culture, moving away from the Urdu and Persian influences he had been exposed to.
He pursued his studies in Hindi and Sanskrit at the Hakim Ugrasen Pathshala in Sarsava, quickly mastering them. He then delved deeply into Jain scriptures, memorizing key texts like "Ratnakarand Shravakachar," "Tattvarth Sootra," and "Bhaktamar Stotra."
His thirst for knowledge led him to research ancient scriptures, deepening his faith in Jainism.
A significant event in his youth involved leaving school after a dispute over his insistence on respecting Jain scriptures by removing shoes before entering his room. This incident highlighted his strong sense of self-respect, adherence to principles, and commitment to defending Jainism.

Career and Service:

After getting married, Jugalkishore felt the need to support his family. He initially worked as a preacher-lecturer for the Mumbai Provincial Conference but resigned after a short period, as he preferred to serve religious causes without remuneration.
He then studied and qualified as a "Mukhtar" (a legal practitioner lower in rank than a regular pleader). He practiced in Saharanpur and later moved to Devband in 1905.
Despite his legal practice, Jugalkishore actively engaged in social activities. He was known for his honesty and integrity as a Mukhtar, earning immense respect.
He continued his literary pursuits alongside his legal career, immersing himself in the study of ancient Indian culture.

Family Life and Personal Tragedies:

His family life was initially simple and happy, with the strong support of his wife.
The couple had a daughter, Sanmatikumari, who tragically passed away at the age of eight due to plague.
Later, they had another daughter, Vidhyavati. However, his wife died suddenly of pneumonia in 1918, leaving Jugalkishore to raise their young daughter alone.
Tragically, his daughter Vidhyavati also passed away in 1920, marking the end of his direct family line and causing him immense grief. These profound personal losses led him to intensify his literary and spiritual work.

Journalism and Editorial Work:

Pandit Jugalkishore's journalistic career began on July 1, 1907, when he became the editor of the "Jain Gazette," the official publication of the Jain Conference.
His editorial style was characterized by research in linguistics, service to society, and evidence collection. His writings promoted social reforms and gained wide public appreciation, significantly increasing the "Jain Gazette's" readership.
However, his clear thinking on social customs led to displeasure from some social leaders, forcing him to leave the "Jain Gazette."
Around ten years later, he served as the editor of "Jain Hitaishi" for two years with dedication.
In 1929, he established the Samant Bhadrashram in Delhi and began editing the monthly magazine "Anekant," which showcased his erudition and commitment to public good.

Literary Contributions and Research:

"Granth Pariksha": This groundbreaking four-part book critically examined Jain scriptures, exposing and refuting the "absurd principles" introduced by some learned individuals (Bhattaraks). Its publication in 1916 caused significant controversy and criticism from traditionalists, but Jugalkishore's research was widely acclaimed for its depth and historical accuracy. The third part, published in 1928, was lauded as a unique critical work in Jain literature.
"Meri Bhavna" (My Desires/Intentions): This collection of 11 poems is considered his immortal creation. It was immensely popular, with millions of copies sold and translations into multiple languages. The poetry summarized Jain teachings concisely and beautifully, reflecting his ideals for self-development, social awareness, and national consciousness. It became a daily read in many Jain households and was frequently sung in prayers.
Historical Research: He clarified historical figures and texts, differentiating PatraKesri from Vidyanand Swami and attributing the creation of "PanchaDhyayi" to the poet-king Shri Rajmallaji.
Research on Acharya Samant Bhadra: He undertook extensive research for over two years to bring to light the authentic history and biographical details of Acharya Swami Samant Bhadra, which were previously obscured.
Identifying Lost Texts: He created a list of elusive Jain books and offered a prize for their discovery, leading to the recovery of some important texts.
Social Commentary: He wrote "Vivah Kheshtre Prakash" in support of inter-caste marriages and "Jina Pooja Adhikar Mimansa" advocating for the eligibility of performing certain religious rites. These works led to him being ostracized by his caste, although the boycott was not fully enforced.
Study of Dhavla and Jay Dhavla: He spent three and a half months at Jain Siddhanta Bhavan in Aara, producing a 1000-page note summarizing these crucial Jain texts.
Chronological Research: He conducted significant research on the timeline of Lord Mahavir's teachings, particularly the date of Veer Shasan Jayanti (the first preaching lecture), which is celebrated annually on the first day of the dark half of Shravan.

Personality and Legacy:

Shri Jugalkishore Mukhtar "YugVeer" is portrayed as a spiritual practitioner, a dedicated devotee, and a self-taught scholar. He possessed strong self-confidence, courage, and unwavering faith in scriptures.
He was open to questioning and testing by others, maintained strict character, and shunned blind faith. He fearlessly opposed and refuted pretense and absurdities.
His key virtues included hard work, perseverance, and a deep desire for study. He was a sincere follower of Jinvani (Jain teachings) and worked diligently to uphold truth and justice.
He is remembered as an immortal soul in the Jain tradition for his immense literary contributions. He was a highly learned individual, a social reformer, a studious scholar, a poet, an essayist, a historian, and a literary luminary whose work continues to inspire future generations.