Merunandgani Virachit Gautam Swami Chandasi

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gautam Swami Chandasi" by Merunandgani, edited by Shilchandrasuri:

Title: Gautam Swami Chandasi (Gautam Swami Chhandasi) Author: Merunandgani Editor/Publisher: Shilchandrasuri / ZZ_Anusandhan Language: Late Apabhramsha Genre: A poetic composition (Chhandasi/Rasa) dedicated to Gautam Swami, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavir.

Overview and Content:

The text is a poetic work composed by Merunandgani, presenting the glories and attributes of Gautam Swami. It is written in a late Apabhramsha dialect, making it a valuable piece of literature for understanding linguistic evolution within Jain traditions. The work is structured into 22 stanzas (kadiyo).

Structure and Meter:

The composition is divided into various poetic forms:

• Introduction: Begins with two Doha (couplets), serving as a prologue.
• Dohas: Ten Doha stanzas follow the introduction, narrating various aspects of Gautam Swami's life and virtues.
• Adilla: Two Chaturpad (four-line) Adilla stanzas are present.
• Chhands (Verses): Eight verses, referred to as "Chhand," are included. These are identified as Kavit Chand, with 29 matras (syllabic units) per line.
• Shatpad Chhappaya: The final, 22nd stanza is a Shatpad Chhappaya, a complex verse form. It is described as being composed of two parts:
  • Vastuvadana: Each line has 24 matras.
  • Kapur: Each line has 15 + 13 matras.

Key Themes and Narratives:

The "Gautam Swami Chandasi" celebrates Gautam Swami's significant role and virtues within the Jain tradition. The verses highlight:

• Gautam Swami's Supremacy: He is described as the leader of the monastic community (ganadhar), the king of knowledge, and an essential figure in the Jain order.
• Divine Attributes: His intellect, purity, and the miraculous powers (siddhis) that manifest through his devotion to Lord Mahavir are emphasized.
• Path to Merit and Salvation: The text states that meditating on Gautam Swami's name brings merit and helps in overcoming worldly obstacles and achieving salvation.
• His Life and Deeds: Specific narratives and events related to Gautam Swami are alluded to, such as his devotion, his role in the samavasarana (the divine assembly), his physical characteristics (seven hands height), his renunciation, his deep guru-bhakti (devotion to his guru), and his attainment of liberation (moksha).
• His Relationship with Lord Mahavir: He is consistently portrayed as a devoted disciple and a key figure in propagating the teachings of Lord Mahavir.
• His Significance for the Sangha: Gautam Swami is presented as a source of inspiration and well-being for the entire Jain community.

Value and Significance:

The editor, Shilchandrasuri, notes that this work is currently unpublished. It is considered particularly valuable due to the rarity of Gujarati-Apabhramsha compositions focusing on Gautam Swami. The text is believed to have been compiled based on a manuscript from the 16th century. To maintain uniformity and aid readers, sequential stanza numbers have been added, and a glossary of difficult words is provided at the end.

Overall Impression:

The "Gautam Swami Chandasi" is a devotional and celebratory poem that extols the virtues and significance of Gautam Swami. Its linguistic and structural features make it an important contribution to the study of Jain literature and its historical development. The work serves as a testament to the enduring reverence for Gautam Swami within Jainism.