Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayjini Be Rachnao - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayjini Be Rachnao" by Dhurandharvijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayjini Be Rachnao (Two Compositions of Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijaya) Author/Editor: Muni Dhurandharvijay Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229291/1

Introduction and Discovery:

The compiler, Muni Dhurandharvijay, expresses joy in presenting two significant compositions of the renowned Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayji Maharaj. He identifies these as one incomplete and one complete, previously unknown work. Based on the closing remarks in the manuscripts, which state "Gani Jasvijay-kruta" and "Yashovijaygaina," it is inferred that the scribe was Pandit Nayvijayganni, who was also the guru of the author. The compiler notes that the script is identical to the manuscripts of Nayvijayganni's work "Dravya Guna Paryaya Ras" (written in VS 1710) and his commentary on the "Bhaktamar Stotra."

These two compositions were discovered among four scattered pages found within a collection of books that were brought for sale from a village in West Rajasthan. Since the pages are detached, it is believed that the preceding three pages of the first composition are also likely to exist elsewhere.

First Composition: Sri Suvidhi-Parshvajinastavah (Incomplete)

Nature: This composition is an imitation of the famous "Ajitashanti Stava."
Subject: It is a Sanskrit hymn dedicated to Lord Suvidhinath Jin (the ninth Tirthankara) and Lord Parshvanath Jin (the 23rd Tirthankara), who are described as the adornments of the island of Diu.
Content: The provided text contains verses 31 to 39. Verses 1 to 30 are unavailable.
Verse 31: Describes the Lord with imagery of celestial garlands and the essence of the divine mountains, praising the destroyer of the cycle of birth and death.
Verse 32: Mentions the celestial umbrellas and the radiant fame of the Tirthankaras.
Verse 33: Praises their embodiment of compassion, victory over enemies, and virtuous conduct.
Verse 34: Contrasts those who are devoted to them with those who are not, implying the latter are like donkeys.
Verse 35: Expresses a prayer for the heart to bloom like a lotus, bathed in the pure waters of divine rivers, honoring the feet of the Jin-Lord.
Verses 36-38: These verses serve as a guru-parampara (lineage of gurus), mentioning Shri Vijaydev Guruvir, Shri Vijaysingh Dheer, Shrimat Kalyanvijay Guruheer, then Shri Labhvijay, and finally Shri Jeetvijay and Shri Nayvijay as their disciples. The compiler notes that Nayvijayganni, diligent in the service of the lotus feet of his gurus, composed this hymn at the request of the Sangh of Diu.
Verse 39: Concludes by stating that the merit gained from this composition, dedicated to the Lord Suvidhi and Parshva from the city of Diu, should bring well-being to the Sangh.
Scribe: The composition is noted as being written by Pandit Nayvijayganni.
Compiler's Remark: The compiler believes that if this hymn were complete, it would be a beautiful and divine creation of Upadhyayaji. The hymn also showcases the author's compassionate nature. It is suggested that these compositions might have been written before Upadhyayaji began his study of Navya Nyaya (New Logic).

Second Composition: Sri Shankheshvara Parshvajin Stuti (Prakrit)

Nature: This is a hymn in the Apabhramsa language, similar to the "Jay Trihuan Stotra."
Subject: It is a praise of Lord Shankheshvara Parshvanatha.
Content: The hymn consists of 29 verses (gathas).
Verse 3: Mentions a slight writing error in the third line.
General Tone: Both compositions, in accordance with the author's practice, mention and remember his gurus at the end. The hymns are described as pleasant and imbued with the author's divine grace.
Specific Praises (Selected verses):
- Verse 1: Invokes the Lord as the king of Yogis, praised by Indra, the joy of the three worlds, the wish-fulfilling celestial tree, and a source of great happiness.
- Verse 2: Expresses that merely serving the wish-fulfilling celestial tree (the Lord) is sufficient, like shade for travelers.
- Verse 3: Compares the devotion to the Lord to how elephants in a forest are unaffected by the roar of lions, stating that those devoted to the Lord's name are untouched by afflictions.
- Verse 4: Describes the Lord's face as a moon that dispels darkness, and the author's commitment to praising him with all his might.
- Verse 5: States that the Lord is the friend of all worlds and the destroyer of suffering, and that the prayer is fitting for a devoted servant.
- Verse 6: Praises the Lord as the destroyer of fear, the delight of the three worlds, the wish-fulfilling tree, free from karmic impurities, and the source of supreme equanimity.
- Verse 7: Depicts the Lord's power and his victory over the treacherous Kamatha.
- Verses 8 & 9: Extols his divine attributes, his worship by celestial beings, and the power of his name to ward off evil spirits and obstacles.
- Verse 10: Asserts that those who utter the Lord's name are protected from thieves and fears.
- Verse 11: States that the Lord is revered by all, including gods, serpents, and demi-gods, and that he will swiftly overcome those who defy him.
- Verse 12: Praises him as the fulfiller of desires, the wish-fulfilling jewel, and the Lord of Nagahaya and Padmavata.
- Verse 13: Highlights his omniscience and his role in dispelling ignorance.
- Verse 14: Describes him as being worshipped by celestial trees and as the one who reveals the ultimate truth and the path to liberation.
- Verse 15: States that meditation on him increases the ocean of devotion and that seeing him brings great joy and dispels heat.
- Verse 16: Advises meditating on the Lord's name for protection from the impermanent and fearful aspects of life.
- Verse 17: Extols the Lord's magnificent pronouncements and his role as the seed of enlightenment and the destroyer of great sins.
- Verse 18: Proclaims surrender to the Lord in thought, word, and deed.
- Verse 19: Reaffirms his boundless compassion and advises reliance on his path for happiness.
- Verse 20: States that uttering his name overcomes all afflictions like diseases.
- Verse 21: Describes him as the great physician, the purifier of the world through his teachings.
- Verse 22: Declares him the protector of the surrendered, possessing auspicious marks, and the ultimate victor over negativity.
- Verse 23: Expresses the desire for the tongue to praise him, the heart to meditate on him, and the body to experience the joy of devotion, seeking eternal happiness from him.
- Verse 24: Asserts that sincere prayers are never futile.
- Verse 25: Believes that the Lord's grace is timely and that surrender at his feet is the proper course.
- Verse 26: Advises those fearing the cycle of birth to remember the name of Shankheshvara Parshvanatha.
- Verse 27: States that great sins vanish quickly through his grace, and one attains spiritual powers. It questions the need to worship other deities.
- Verse 28: Pleads with the Lord to fulfill the desires of his servant and to listen to his humble prayers.
- Verse 29: Concludes by reiterating that this praise was offered by Yashovijay, the disciple of Shri Nayvijay, who was the companion in dharma of Shri Jeetvijay, who was inspired by the Gurus Shri Vijaydev Surishwar and Shri Vijaysingh Surind.

Concluding Remarks:

The composition is signed as "Gani Jasvijay-kruta" and written by "Pandit Nayvijayganni." The address of the transcription is also provided. The compiler emphasizes the divine nature and compassionate expression found in both these newly discovered works of Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayji.