Nibandh Vachan Ne Ante Thayeli Khuli Charcha

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text, "Nibandh Vachan ne Ante Thayeli Khuli Charcha" (Open Discussion after the Essay Reading), by Balwant Jani, based on the provided pages:

This document captures an open discussion following an essay reading, focusing on the preservation, study, and promotion of medieval Jain literature and manuscripts. Several scholars and participants contribute their insights and suggestions, highlighting various challenges and proposing solutions.

Key Themes and Suggestions:

• Need for a Dedicated Organization: A recurring suggestion is the establishment of an organization or group dedicated to the concern and study of medieval literature. This body would facilitate regular discussions, conferences, and provide a platform for promoting this work.

• Improving Manuscript Cataloging and Accessibility:

  • Currently, manuscript catalogs are often just lists. There's a need for a central office to hold copies of these catalogs and, ideally, the manuscripts themselves.
  • Information about manuscript locations should be digitized and made accessible via computer.
  • There's a call for better and more systematic cataloging of manuscripts, moving beyond mere lists to more descriptive and useful entries.

• Manuscript Preservation and Training:

  • A significant concern is the proper preservation of manuscripts. While individuals may believe they are preserving them, current methods are often inadequate.
  • There's a strong need for proper training in manuscript preservation techniques to create genuine custodians of these valuable artifacts.
  • The government's focus is on administrative records, neglecting cultural records. Grants and support are needed for preservation efforts.

• Improving Published Catalogs and Editions:

  • Published catalogs are often impure (containing errors). The impurity becomes apparent only when the manuscripts are used directly.
  • The improvements made in new editions of works like "Jain Gurjar Kavio" should be utilized.
  • There's a criticism that contemporary printed editions sometimes omit variant readings, as they are treated as mere study guides for students.

• Bridging the Gap in Academic Study:

  • Many printed works from the medieval period still lack sufficient study.
  • Academics should be encouraged to edit good works, and access to important manuscripts must be provided to enable this.
  • University curriculums, particularly at the MA and M.Phil. levels, should incorporate medieval subjects, with a significant percentage of dissertations focusing on them. This would help train a new generation of scholars.
  • The use of computers in manuscript studies and training is essential.

• Expanding the Scope of Study:

  • The discussion touches upon the need to include the literature of various traditions within the medieval Gujarati literary corpus, not just Jain literature. For example, the Bhandar at Puniyad village contains works from Vaishnav, Muslim, and other sects.
  • The importance of briefly introducing poets in published collections of devotional songs (bhajanavali) is highlighted.
  • The need to represent various streams of medieval literature (Shakta, Shaiva, Vaishnava) in comprehensive literary dictionaries is mentioned.

• Collaboration and Action:

  • A strong call is made for researchers to actively engage in bringing neglected works to light.
  • The need for a "blueprint" for action is emphasized, suggesting that a planned approach is crucial before extensive planning.
  • Participants are urged to actively contribute and make their interests known to facilitate concrete action.
  • The idea of creating a "bridge" or a central hub where all information related to the subject can be accessed is proposed, which could also assist in obtaining manuscripts and even providing xerox copies.
  • There's a suggestion for a system of "follow-up" after any training or initial work is done, including creating lists of works and peer review of transcribed manuscripts.

• Role of Institutions and Individuals:

  • While universities and government institutions are mentioned, the sentiment is that they may not be as proactive as desired. Individuals like Mohanlal and Jayantbhai, who work diligently, are seen as the true embodiment of institutional effort.
  • Institutions like the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad are encouraged to purchase and collect manuscripts.
  • The power of public advocacy, through daily newspapers and strong movements, is recognized as a way to awaken government archives (like the Gujarat Archives).

• Financial Aspects and Motivation:

  • While financial provision is necessary, the primary obstacle identified is not just money but a lack of vision and a tendency to short-sightedness, particularly when variant readings are omitted from editions.
  • The need for individuals with genuine interest to step forward and work proactively is stressed.

In essence, the discussion is a passionate plea for a more organized, systematic, and dedicated approach to the study and preservation of medieval Jain literature. It identifies systemic issues in cataloging, preservation, and academic engagement, while strongly advocating for collaborative action and the establishment of dedicated platforms to ensure this rich literary heritage is not lost.