Madhyakalin Gujarati Jain Sahitya

The book "Madhyakalin Gujarati Jain Sahitya" (Medieval Gujarati Jain Literature), edited by Jayant Kothari and Kantilal B. Shah and published by Mahavir Jain Vidyalay, Mumbai, is a collection of essays on medieval Gujarati Jain literature. The book was first published in March 1993.

The preface highlights the significant contribution of Jain authors to medieval Gujarati literature in terms of quantity, variety of genres, and quality. The book stems from a seminar on medieval Gujarati Jain literature organized by Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalay in Ahmedabad on March 28-29, 1987. This seminar was held in commemoration of the birth centenary of Mohanlal Dalichand Desai, a renowned researcher and editor, and the publication of the first volume of the augmented new edition of his work "Jain Gurjar Kavio" (Jain Gurjar Poets).

The editors, Jayant Kothari and Kantibhai B. Shah, express their gratitude to the scholars whose articles are included in the book. They believe that this collection will serve as a valuable supplement to the history of medieval Gujarati literature and provide significant material for the study of Jain contributions to Gujarati literature, encouraging a new evaluation of this field.

The book's table of contents reveals a diverse range of topics covered by the essays:

I. Contributions of Jains to Medieval Gujarati Literature:

• Jains' Contribution to Medieval Gujarati Literature (Jayant Kothari)
• Jain Narrative Literature: Some Characteristics (Hasu Yajnik)
• Jain Phagu Kavya: Some Characteristics (Jayant Kothari)
• Medieval Gujarati Jain Phagu-Baramasa Literature: An Overview (Ramanlal Joshi)
• Medieval Gujarati Jain Pad Kavita (Rasik Mehta)
• Letter Writing in Medieval Gujarati Jain Poetry (Ramesh R. Dave)
• Lullabies in Medieval Gujarati Jain Literature (Shraddha Trivedi)
• Medieval Gujarati Jain Prose Literature (Keshavram K. Shastri)
• Metrical Forms in Medieval Gujarati Jain Poetry (Kirtida Joshi)
• Poetic Elements in Medieval Gujarati Jain Literature: A Brief Survey (Pravin Shah)

II. Prominent Jain Poets and Their Works:

• Anandghan, Yashovijay, Devachandra: Their Philosophical Thoughts (Nagin G. Shah)
• Hiranan Suri: An Appraisal of His Life and Works (Balwant Jani)
• Lavanyasamay (Kantibhai B. Shah)
• Pandit, Rasagnya, Poet Jayvantsuri (Jayant Kothari)
• Poet Kushallabh (Vadilal Choksi)
• Nay Sundar (Chandrakant Mehta)
• Poet Samaysundar (Vasant Dave)
• Shravak Poet Rishabhdas: Literary Specifics (Niranjana J. Vora)
• Poetry of Mahimasagarshishya Anandavardhan (Kanubhai Jani)
• Spiritual Sri Anandghan and Sri Yashovijay (Mohanlal D. Desai)
• Upadhyay Yashovijayji's Literary Art – Some Points (Jayant Kothari)
• Gnanvimal Suri: Knowledge and Poetry (Kumarpal Desai)
• Creative Poet Uttamvijay (Raman Soni)

III. Important Jain Works:

• Yashekharsuri's "Tribhuvan Deepak Prabandh" (Mahendra A. Dave)
• The Narrative Style of "Prithvichandcharit" (Kanubhai Jani)
• Acharya Somasundar's "Upadeshmaal Balavbodh" (Joravarsinh Parmar)
• Agnasundar's "Vidyavilas Pawadu": An Introduction (Bharti Vaidya)
• Malayachandra's "Singhalshi Charitra" (Bharti Vaidya)
• Udaybhanu's "Vikramcharitra Ras": An Overview (Subhash Dave)
• Sahajasundar and His "Gunaratnakar Chhand" (Kantibhai B. Shah)
• Balavbodhkar Merusundargani and His "Shilopadeshmaal Balavbodh" (Ramnik Shah)
• Yashovijay's "Samudra-Vahan Samvad" (Raman Soni)
• Jinhharsh's "Vishi": Tirthankar Stavan in Garba Form (Kirtida Joshi)
• Vinayvijay's "Nem-Rajul Baramasa" (Jayant Pathak)
• Vinayachandra's "Sthulibhadra Barahmasa" (Bholabhai Patel)
• Udayaratna's "Neminath Teramasa" (Pramodkumar Patel)

The editors express their joy in presenting this significant academic material to both Jain and non-Jain societies during the institution's Amrit Mahotsav (Amritha festival). They hope the readers will benefit from this literary treasure for their self-interest and express their desire for continued support from the Jain community to pursue more such academic endeavors. The book acknowledges the meticulous work of the editors, Jayant Kothari and Kantibhai B. Shah, and thanks all the scholars who contributed their articles. The book aims to be a valuable resource for understanding the multifaceted contributions of Jains to medieval Gujarati literature and to foster a renewed appreciation for this rich heritage. The inclusion of a name index at the end further enhances the book's utility for researchers and readers.