Nandishen Jain Sahityani Diary

The provided text is a Gujarati book titled "Shri Nandishen Jain Sahityani Diary" (શ્રી નંદિષેણ જૈન સાહિત્યની ડાયરી), authored by Jaybhikkhu and published by Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust. It is part of the "Jain Balgranthavali Shreni-2" (જૈન બાલગ્રંથાવલિ શ્રેણી - ૨), a series aimed at children, and is Volume 7 in this particular sub-series.

The book can be broadly divided into two main sections:

Part 1: The Story of Nandishen (શ્રી નંદિષેણ)

This section narrates the story of Prince Nandishen, son of King Shrenik of Magadha.

• Setting: The story is set in Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha, during the time of Lord Mahavir. Magadha is described as a prosperous and influential kingdom.
• Prince Nandishen: He is depicted as handsome, strong, and courageous.
• The Elephant Sechanak: The narrative shifts to a wild elephant in a dense forest. This elephant is a formidable ruler of its domain, characterized by its fear of a stronger male elephant. When an expectant mother elephant senses this danger, she seeks refuge in a peaceful Jain ascetic's hermitage (આશ્રમ).
• Nandishen and Sechanak's Encounter: The mother elephant gives birth to a male calf within the hermitage. The young calves of the hermitage discover the elephant calf and, out of compassion, bring it to the hermitage. The elephant calf, named "Sechanak" (સેચનક) by the young ascetics for its habit of watering plants with its trunk, grows up with them, showing an unusual affinity for them and their activities.
• Sechanak's Transformation: As Sechanak grows into a powerful elephant, its wild nature begins to surface. It becomes aggressive and destructive, causing havoc in the hermitage.
• Nandishen Tames Sechanak: The situation escalates to the point where the king's soldiers and mahouts fail to subdue Sechanak. Prince Nandishen bravely volunteers to tame the elephant. Through an inexplicable connection, possibly due to past life connections (as revealed later by Lord Mahavir), Nandishen is able to calm and control the wild elephant with just a look. This event becomes a mystery to everyone.
• Nandishen's Renunciation: Witnessing the profound teachings of Lord Mahavir, Nandishen is deeply moved and decides to renounce worldly life. Despite his father's initial hesitation, he receives initiation (diksha) from Lord Mahavir.
• Nandishen's Asceticism and Fall: As a monk, Nandishen struggles with lingering desires, even contemplating suicide due to his inability to control his mind. However, he perseveres with intense penance, gaining various powers but not complete mental control. During his alms-seeking, he encounters a courtesan (ganika) and falls prey to his desires, leaving the ascetic life to live with her.
• Nandishen's Atonement: Even while living as a layperson, Nandishen retains his spiritual inclination. He makes a vow to guide ten people towards the path of renunciation before he eats. Over time, he helps many people achieve spiritual liberation. Eventually, realizing his fallen state and remembering his vow, he dedicates himself to fulfilling the tenth vow, leading him back to Lord Mahavir's path. He finally attains peace and salvation.

Part 2: A Diary of Jain Literature (જૈન સાહિત્યની ડાયરી)

This section is presented as a dialogue between a teacher and his students, discussing Jain literature.

• Introduction to Jain Literature: The students express their ignorance about Jain literature, prompting the teacher to explain its vastness and importance.
• Scope and Authors: The teacher highlights the immense contribution of Jain scholars, mentioning prominent figures like Pujya Umaswati, Shri Haribhadrasuri, and Shri Hemchandracharya, who composed hundreds or even crores of verses.
• The Agamas: The core sacred texts of Jainism, the Agamas, are identified as the principal scriptures. Their historical evolution from 84 to the current 45 are discussed, along with their various names like Sutra, Shastra, Siddhanta, and Nirgranth Pravachan.
• The Twelve Angas and Other Texts: A detailed breakdown of the 45 Agamas is provided, categorizing them into 11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 10 Panna, Chedasutras, Sutras, and Moolasutras. The content of key Angas like Acharaanga and Sutrakrutaanga is briefly explained, focusing on their philosophical and doctrinal discussions, including the refutation of various non-Jain viewpoints.
• Authorship and Preservation: The discussion touches upon the authors of these texts and how they were preserved through oral tradition and later compiled into written form, especially after famines and councils. The significance of the Vallabhi recension (Vachana) is mentioned as the first written compilation of Jain Agamas.
• Languages of Jain Literature: The Agamas were originally in Ardhamagadhi, but Jain literature has been produced in numerous languages over time, including Sanskrit, Apabhramsha, Old Gujarati, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, English, and German.
• Philosophical and Logical Treatises: The teacher introduces important philosophical works like the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra and the contributions of scholars in Jain logic (Nyaya), mentioning key figures like Shri Siddhasen Diwakar, Shri Mallavadisuri, and Shri Hemchandracharya and their works.
• Yoga and Spiritual Literature: Various texts on Yoga and Adhyatma (spirituality) are also mentioned.
• Karma Literature: The extensive body of literature dedicated to the concept of Karma is highlighted.
• General Literature (Kavya, Nataka, Katha): The vast contributions to poetry, dramas, and stories are discussed, with examples of complex poetic structures like Dvisandhanakavya and epics like the Trisashthishalakapurushacharitra by Hemchandracharya.
• Arts and Sciences: The book also details Jain literature on various arts and sciences, including sculpture, music, archery, animal husbandry, ornithology, gemology, chemistry, Ayurveda, astronomy, and astrology. The existence of encyclopedic works is also noted.
• Historical Significance of Prasastis: The importance of "Prashastis" (prefaces or eulogies) found at the end of ancient Jain manuscripts is emphasized, as they provide valuable historical information about the authors, their gurus, patrons, and the time period.
• Call to Action: The dialogue concludes with the teacher urging the students to take responsibility for preserving and promoting Jain literature, as the future of the Jain tradition rests with them.

In essence, "Shri Nandishen Jain Sahityani Diary" is a dual-purpose book: it tells an inspiring life story within the Jain tradition and simultaneously serves as an educational guide to the rich and diverse landscape of Jain literature, encouraging the younger generation to engage with it.