Muhurt Sangraha

The provided text is a catalog of books, specifically focusing on a collection titled "Muhurt Sangraha" by Ambalal Sharma and Krishnashankar Keshavram, published by Jagannath Parshuram Dwivedi. The catalog appears to be part of a larger initiative called "Aho Shrutgyanam Granth Jurnoddhar" (Preservation of Ancient Scriptures) by the Shri Asha Puran Parshwanath Jain Gyanbhandar.

Here's a breakdown of the content and its significance:

Overall Purpose:

The primary purpose of this catalog is to list and describe a collection of DVDs containing digitized versions of rare and ancient Jain texts. These texts have been preserved and made accessible through scanning and digital reproduction. The catalog also indicates that these books can be downloaded from the website www.ahoshrut.org.

Key Information:

• Book Title: Muhurt Sangraha
• Author(s): Ambalal Sharma, Krishnashankar Keshavram
• Publisher: Jagannath Parshuram Dwivedi
• Initiative: Aho Shrutgyanam Granth Jurnoddhar (Preservation of Ancient Scriptures)
• Collection Source: Shri Abhinandan Swami Shvetambar Murtipujak Jain Sangh, Jay Prem Society, Ahmedabad.
• Compilation/Coordination: Shah Babulal Somal Bedawala and Shah Vimlaben Saremal Javerchandji Bedawala.
• Contact Information: Provided for Shah Babulal Saremal.
• Publication Year: Samvat 2069 (2013 CE) for Muhurt Sangraha itself. The catalog lists various sets (Set Nos. 1-7) from different years (2009-2016), indicating a continuous effort to digitize and catalog ancient works.

Content of the Catalog (The Listed Books):

The catalog lists a vast array of ancient Indian texts, predominantly in Sanskrit and Prakrit, with some Gujarati and Hindi translations. The subjects covered are extremely diverse and include:

• Jain Scriptures and Commentaries: Numerous texts related to Jain philosophy, logic, grammar, and rituals, such as Nandi Sutra, Uttaradhyayan Sutra, Syadvada Ratnakara, Nyaya Pravesh, Jain Granthavali, Heerkalash Jain Jyotish, and various works by prominent Jain acharyas like Hemchandracharya, Jin-vijayji, and Meghavijayji.
• Astronomy and Astrology (Jyotisha): A significant portion of the catalog is dedicated to texts on auspicious timings (Muhurta), which is directly related to the "Muhurt Sangraha" title. This includes works on planetary movements, astrological calculations, auspicious days, and specific muhurtas for various events. Titles like "Muhurt Sangraha," "Muhurt Chintamani," "Jyotish Nirbandh," "Vasantraj Shakunm," and "Hindu Astrology" are present.
• Vastu Shastra (Architecture and Planning): Numerous texts on Indian architecture, town planning, house construction, and temple design are listed. This includes works like "Aparajita Prichchha," "Shilp Ratnam," "Prasad Tilak," "Kashyap Shilpa," "Raj Vallabh," and various texts on architectural principles.
• Arts and Sciences: The catalog also includes texts on music ("Jain Sangeet Ragmala," "Sangeet Ratnakar"), sculpture ("Shilp Shastra," "Shilp Chintamani"), painting ("Jain Chitra Kalpvriksha"), and even traditional medicine ("Ayurveda").
• Logic and Philosophy (Nyaya and Darshana): Texts on Jain logic and philosophy are also present, such as "Nyaya Pravesh," "Anekanta Jaypataka," "Tattvopaplavsinha," and "Jain Nyaya Khand Khadyam."
• Grammar and Linguistics: Works on Prakrit and Sanskrit grammar are also listed, like "Prakrit Vyakarana Bhashantar Sah" and "Siddhahem Shabdanushasan."
• Epigraphy and History: A notable section includes collections of ancient inscriptions, historical articles, and archaeological findings, such as "Jain Lekh Sangrah," "Gujaratna Aitihasik Lekho," and "Kathon In Search of Sanskrit Menu."
• Miscellaneous: The collection also features works on various other subjects, including literature, poetry, and compendiums.

Significance of "Muhurt Sangraha":

The "Muhurt Sangraha" itself, being the central piece of this catalog, is a collection of texts related to muhurta, which in Vedic and Jain traditions refers to auspicious timings for performing various activities. This includes:

• Determining the best time for religious ceremonies (e.g., Upanayana - sacred thread ceremony, Vivaha - marriage).
• Choosing auspicious times for starting construction (Vastu Shastra).
• Selecting favorable times for journeys, business dealings, and other significant life events.
• Understanding various astrological calculations, influences of celestial bodies, and their impact on human life and activities.

Overall Contribution:

This catalog is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in ancient Indian knowledge systems, particularly Jain traditions, astrology, architecture, and classical literature. The "Aho Shrutgyanam Granth Jurnoddhar" initiative plays a crucial role in preserving and disseminating this invaluable heritage for future generations, making previously inaccessible or rare texts available through modern technology. The breadth of subjects indicates a comprehensive effort to document and digitize a significant portion of India's classical intellectual output.