Muni Sabhachand Evam Unka Padmapuran - Book Summary

The book "Munisabhachand Evam Unka Padmapuran" by Dr. Kasturchand Kasliwal, published by Shri Mahavir Granth Academy Jaipur, is a detailed study and edition of Muni Sabhachand's Padmapuran, considered the first Jain Padmapurana composed in Hindi. This work is significant for its historical and literary value, offering a Jain perspective on the Ramayana narrative.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided text:

Book Overview:

Title: Muni Sabhachand Evam Unka Padmapuran (A Hindi Jain Ramayana)
Author/Editor: Dr. Kasturch'and Kasliwal
Publisher: Shri Mahavir Granth Academy, Jaipur
Publication Year: October 1984 (Vir Nirvana Samvat 2510)
Significance: It is presented as the first Jain Padmapurana written in Chhandobaddh Hindi, composed by Muni Sabhachand in Samvat 1711. The book includes a detailed introduction and the text of the Padmapurana.

Key Themes and Content from the Introduction (Prastavana) and Editorial Notes:

Discovery of the Manuscript: Dr. Kasturchand Kasliwal expresses his joy and enthusiasm upon discovering the manuscript of Muni Sabhachand's Padmapuran in the Shastra Bhandar of the Digambar Jain Mandir in Diggi, Tonk district, Rajasthan, during his exploration in August 1953. He notes that many valuable Jain literary works remain undiscovered in various religious libraries.
Jain Perspective on Rama: The introduction highlights that Rama, while a central figure in national literature, is also considered one of the 63 Shalakha Purushas (illustrious men) in Jainism, specifically an eighth Balabhadra who attains liberation in the same life. Jain literature extensively covers the life of Rama, with notable works by Vimalasuri, Svayambhu, Ravishana, and others.
Origins and Development of the Ramakatha: The text briefly touches upon the origins of the Ramakatha, noting that it's not prominently featured in the Vedas but names like Ikshvaku and Dasharatha appear. It mentions Valmiki's Ramayana as the oldest available version in Sanskrit, while acknowledging theories that its roots might be in the Dharana Jataka or other Buddhist texts. The popularity and eventual standardization of Valmiki's Ramayana are discussed.
Rama's Place in Jainism: Lord Rama is identified as the eighth Balabhadra, who lived during the era of the 20th Tirthankara, Munisuvratanatha. The text notes that while Rama's life was orally transmitted until Lord Mahavir's time, no written record from that period is available. Acharya Vimalasuri is credited with the first poetic rendition of the Ramakatha in Prakrit, known as Paumamchariya, composed in Samvat 530.
Muni Sabhachand's Padmapurana:
- Importance: This work is crucial as it's the first known Padmapurana in Hindi, tracing its history back by 72 years compared to previously known works.
- Content: The Padmapurana is described as a "kosha granth" (encyclopedic text), rich with details about flora, fauna, various types of flowers, villages, and cities. It also provides accounts of the lives of Rishabhadeva and Mahavira, and describes the lifespan and context of Tirthankara Munisuvratanatha, whose era encompassed many key characters of the Ramakatha like Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Ravana, Hanuman, and others.
- Language and Style: The poem is noted for its use of popular Hindi folk verse forms like Doha, Chaupai, and Soratha, making it accessible to a wider audience. The language is described as predominantly Khadi Boli, with a significant Rajasthani influence, evident in vocabulary and verb conjugations. Urdu words are also present, reflecting the linguistic milieu of the time.
- Purpose: The text aims to convey the influence of past actions (karma phala) through the descriptions of the previous lives of characters like Rama and Lakshmana, illustrating how past deeds affect present circumstances and encourage righteous conduct.
- Spiritual Impact: The concluding verses by Muni Sabhachand suggest that reading this Padmapurana can help eliminate falsehood and lead to ultimate liberation.
Publisher's Vision (Shri Mahavir Granth Academy): The academy's mission is to bring to light the works stored in manuscript libraries, especially those by lesser-known Jain poets and their compositions. The publication of Muni Sabhachand's Padmapurana aligns with this goal, highlighting the significant contribution of Jain poets to Hindi literature, which has sometimes been overlooked due to communal labeling.
The Manuscript: The sole manuscript of this Padmapurana is preserved in the Digambar Jain Mandir in Diggi. It is dated Samvat 1856 and was written by Pandit Motiram.
Detailed Content Analysis (from the Table of Contents and text summaries): The extensive table of contents reveals the book's structure. It begins with devotional stanzas to Tirthankaras and Jinavani, followed by an exposition of the Ramayana's significance. The narrative then delves into:
- Cosmology and Early History: Descriptions of Rajagriha, Kundalpur, the lineage of kings, Tirthankaras' lives (Rishabhadeva, Ajitanatha, etc.), the story of Bharata and Bahubali, and the Sagara chakravarthi.
- Ramayana Narrative (Jain Version): It covers events like the origin of Ravana's lineage, Sita's birth (from Ravana's lineage in Jain versions), Rama's life events, the war with Ravana, and the eventual liberation of key figures.
- Social and Cultural Aspects: Mentions of social customs, festivals, sweets, specific regional references (Jodhpur, Udaipur), and philosophical discussions on karma, dharma, and liberation.
- Literary Elements: Discussion of rasa (emotions) like Veer (heroic) and Shanta (peaceful) rasa, use of various Sanskrit and Urdu words, and the overall narrative structure.
- Detailed Character Analysis: The text provides insights into the characters of Rama (simple, obedient, compassionate, yet firm), Lakshmana (devoted brother, powerful), Sita (ideal wife, virtuous), Ravana (proud, powerful, yet a devotee), Hanuman (valiant, devoted), and others, often highlighting their spiritual journeys and actions based on Jain philosophy.
Jain Interpretation of Ramayana: The text implicitly contrasts the Jain narrative with Brahmanical versions, for instance, by placing events in the context of Tirthankara Munisuvratanatha's era or by subtly altering characterizations or plot points according to Jain principles (e.g., emphasis on karma, karma-based suffering and liberation).

Overall:

"Muni Sabhachand Evam Unka Padmapuran" is a scholarly work that introduces and publishes a significant early Hindi Jain Ramayana. It sheds light on the Jain tradition's engagement with popular Indian epics, its literary contributions to Hindi, and the unique philosophical and narrative perspectives it offers. The detailed analysis within the book provides a deep dive into the characters, events, language, and spiritual underpinnings of this Jain adaptation of the Ramakatha.