Naishadhiya Charitam - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the "Naishadhiya Charitam" as presented:

The provided text is a catalog excerpt and introduction to the Naishadhiya Char----------Charitam (नैषधीयचरितम्), a famous Sanskrit Mahakavya (epic poem) composed by Mahakavi Shri Harsha (महाकवि श्रीहर्ष). This specific edition is published by Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi (कृष्णदास अकादमी, वाराणसी) and includes commentaries: the Sanskrit commentary 'Jivatu' ( 'जीवातु' ) by Mallinath (मल्लिनाथ) and the Hindi commentary 'Chandrika' ( 'चन्द्रिका' ) by Dr. Devrishi Sanadhya Shastri (डॉ० देवर्षि सनाढ्य शास्त्री).

Key Information and Highlights:

Title: Naishadhiya Charitam (नैषधीयचरितम्)
Author: Mahakavi Shri Harsha (महाकवि श्रीहर्ष)
Publisher: Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi (कृष्णदास अकादमी, वाराणसी)
Commentaries: 'Jivatu' (Sanskrit) by Mallinath, 'Chandrika' (Hindi) by Dr. Devrishi Sanadhya Shastri.
Price: 50.00 (₹) for the first volume (Sarga 1-11, Purvardha).
Edition: First Edition, published in 1984 (V.S. 2041).

Introduction to Mahakavi Shri Harsha and the Naishadhiya Charitam:

The introduction highlights Shri Harsha as a prominent poet in Sanskrit literature, alongside other great poets like Kalidasa, Banabhatta, Bhavabhuti, Bharavi, and Magha. The Naishadhiya Charitam is considered a pride of Indian literary tradition.

Shri Harsha's Background:

Parentage: His father was Shri Heera (श्रीहीर), described as an "ornamental diamond for the crowns of poets," and his mother was Mamalladevi (मामलदेवी).
Intellectual Prowess: The poem itself indicates that Shri Harsha was not only a great poet but also an accomplished logician and philosopher.
Royal Patronage: He was a respected poet-scholar in the court of the Kannauj king Jayantachandra (जयन्तचन्द्र). The king used to offer him two betel leaves and a seat with great respect, signifying his high status.
Historical Context: Jayantachandra is placed in the 12th century AD based on royal inscriptions. His lineage and reign are discussed, referencing historical records and the work of Jain scholar Rajshekhar (राजशेखर) in 'Prabandhakosha' (प्रबंधकोष).
Challenges and Divine Grace: The introduction touches upon a narrative where a young Shri Harsha vowed to avenge his father's defeat in a debate. He gained immense knowledge and divine favor through rigorous study and devotion, particularly through the mantra-sadhana of Goddess Tripura, who granted him profound erudition. His journey involved mastering various subjects like logic, rhetoric, poetry, mathematics, astrology, grammar, and even magic. There's a charming anecdote about his "excessive intellect" being tempered by divine intervention to make his speech comprehensible to the masses.

The Naishadhiya Charitam's Narrative and Significance:

Core Story: The poem is based on the famous love story of King Nala and Princess Damayanti.
Source Material: While the Mahabharata's Nala-Upakhyana (नलोपाख्यान) is a primary source, Shri Harsha significantly elaborates and transforms the narrative through his own poetic genius. The summary notes that Shri Harsha drew inspiration mainly from the first six chapters of the Mahabharata's Nala story, expanding it into 22 cantos (Sargas).
Artistic Elaboration: The summary details numerous ways Shri Harsha enriched the original story:
- Hamsa's Role: Unlike the Mahabharata's multiple swans, Shri Harsha's narrative features a single, influential swan as a messenger.
- Descriptive Richness: The poem is renowned for its detailed and vivid descriptions of nature, cities, emotions, and events, showcasing the poet's immense imagination and mastery of language.
- Focus on Romance: Shri Harsha's work is particularly celebrated for its portrayal of Shringara Rasa (erotic sentiment), both in separation (Vipralambha) and union (Samyoga). The summary emphasizes the beauty and depth of these descriptions, particularly in the marital union.
- Philosophical and Scholarly Underpinnings: The poem is noted for its integration of philosophical concepts, logical arguments, and references to various schools of thought (like Nyaya, Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka), making it a work of great intellectual depth.
- Linguistic Prowess: Shri Harsha's command over Sanskrit vocabulary, his creation of new words, his use of complex grammar, and his mastery of various poetic meters (chhandas) are highlighted. The poem is described as "medicine for scholars" (vidwadoushadha) due to its linguistic and scholarly richness, though this also contributes to its difficulty.
Debate on Completeness: The summary addresses the debate about whether the Naishadhiya Charitam is incomplete, as the extant version ends with Nala and Damayanti's union, not his subsequent trials and eventual return to power as described in the Mahabharata. The text presents arguments for both possibilities (intentional abridgment for aesthetic reasons or loss of later parts).

Key Aspects of Shri Harsha's Personality and Style:

Learned and Devout: He was a profound scholar, well-versed in various sciences, philosophies, and religious traditions. He was also deeply religious, showing devotion to Vishnu, Shiva, and Saraswati.
Master of Multiple Disciplines: His knowledge extended to grammar, logic, poetry, music, mathematics, Ayurveda, astronomy, Puranas, and niti-shastra (ethics/politics).
Pride and Artistic Integrity: Shri Harsha valued his creative work immensely and wished for it to be appreciated by discerning scholars. He took pride in his ability to craft verses that were both beautiful and intellectually stimulating.
Critiques and Defense: The summary acknowledges potential criticisms of the poem, such as a perceived overemphasis on artistry (kalapaksha) over emotion (bhavapaksha), excessive use of scholarly references, convoluted imagery, and occasional immodesty in descriptions of romance. However, it defends these aspects as integral to his style, intended to challenge true scholars and showcase his mastery. His innovative word usage and stylistic choices are presented not as flaws but as a testament to his linguistic genius.

In essence, the provided text introduces the Naishadhiya Charitam as a monumental work of Sanskrit literature, celebrating the poetic genius of Shri Harsha and the profound beauty and intellectual depth of his epic poem on the story of Nala and Damayanti. It highlights the importance of this particular edition with its commentaries for a comprehensive understanding of this classic.