Nrusinha Virachita Bandh Kaumudi

This Jain text, "Nrusinha Virachita Bandh Kaumudi," authored by Shilchandrasuri and published by ZZ_Anusandhan, is a treatise on the art of Chitra Kavya (pictorial poetry) or Bandh Kavya (arranged poetry) within the realm of poetic embellishments (Kavyalankar Shastra). The book focuses on specific forms of poetry where the arrangement of words and letters creates visual patterns.

Here's a breakdown of the content based on the provided pages:

Introduction and Context:

• The book is presented as a "small work" dealing with the subject of Chitra Kavya, which is noted to be a branch of Kavyalankar Shastra that offers great delight and wonder to discerning readers.
• The author of the Bandh Kaumudi is identified as Nrusinha, a poet whose time and place are currently unknown.
• The manuscript of the text is estimated to have been written in the 18th century (Sambat 1800).
• The manuscript was discovered in a library in Ahmedabad. A photostat copy was possessed by Muni Shri Punyavijayji, who entrusted it to Muni Shri Dhurandharvijayji, an expert in this field, for editing and publication. The current edition is based on this edited copy.
• The manuscript consists of 3 leaves, written in Jain Nagari script, which is described as largely accurate.
• The manuscript also includes 16 different patterned arrangements (Bandhas).
• The absence of an author's concluding note suggests the possibility that this copy might be the author's own handwriting.
• The introduction highlights that during the medieval period, especially among Jain monks, the creation of Chitra Kavya was highly developed. A vast amount of such material is preserved in libraries, awaiting a scholar to compile and study it, as the knowledge of this art form is now considered rare and challenging.

Content: Description of Various Bandhas (Poetic Arrangements):

The core of the book is dedicated to defining and illustrating various types of Bandhas, each with specific rules for arranging words and letters to create distinct shapes. The text provides the definition (Lakshana) and then an example (Yatha/Udaharan).

The following Bandhas are described and exemplified:

1. Padma Bandha (Lotus Arrangement): Described with specific rules for the placement of the last letters of each line and the repetition of certain letters at the beginning and end of lines, creating a pattern that resembles a lotus.
2. Kalash Bandha (Pot Arrangement): Details the rules for letter placement to form a pot-like structure.
3. Shankh Bandha (Conch Arrangement): Outlines the specific letter arrangements to form a conch shape.
4. Chhatra Bandha (Umbrella Arrangement): Defines the rules for creating an umbrella-like pattern.
5. Chhatra Bandh Antare (Another Type of Umbrella Arrangement): A variation of the Chhatra Bandha with additional rules for letter repetition.
6. Shool Bandha (Spear/Trident Arrangement): Explains the arrangement of letters to form a spear or trident shape.
7. Dhanur Bandha (Bow Arrangement): Describes the rules for creating a bow-like pattern, involving palindromic and mirrored letter placements.
8. Shar Bandha (Arrow Arrangement): Details the intricate rules for arranging letters to represent an arrow, with specific letter repetitions and placements across lines.
9. Chhurika Bandha (Dagger Arrangement): Describes a dagger-like pattern with rules for letter repetition and placement.
10. Chhurika Bandha Antare (Another Type of Dagger Arrangement): A variation of the Chhurika Bandha with further specific rules for letter repetition, including "yamaka" (rhyming couplets).
11. Jala Bandha (Net/Web Arrangement): Explains a complex arrangement involving a grid of 16 squares, where letters are placed and read in specific sequences (forward, backward, and diagonally) to create a net-like pattern.
12. Jala Bandha Antare (Another Type of Net/Web Arrangement): A more elaborate version of the Jala Bandha using 32 squares and alternating reading patterns.
13. Gomutrika Bandha (Cow's Urine/Spiral Arrangement): Describes a pattern where letters are read in a specific sequence, with some letters repeating in reverse order.
14. Sarvatobhadra (All-Around Auspicious/Square Arrangement): This is a highly complex arrangement involving a 64-square grid. It describes placing lines of poetry in different rows and then reading them in various sequences (forward, backward, and diagonally across rows and columns) to create a symmetrical and auspicious pattern. The text also includes commentary from Rajshekhar on this type of Bandha.

Illustrations:

The text is accompanied by illustrations (Aakriti), numbered from 1 to 16, visually depicting the patterns described for each Bandha. These are crucial for understanding the geometric and visual aspect of this poetic art.

Concluding Remark:

The book concludes with the statement, "Itya Shri Nrusinha Virachito Bandh Kaumudi Granthah Samaptah Ayam" (Thus concludes the book Bandh Kaumudi composed by Shri Nrusinha).

In essence, "Nrusinha Virachita Bandh Kaumudi" is a valuable historical and literary document that preserves and explains the intricate art of creating visually patterned poetry within the Jain tradition. It showcases the creativity and linguistic skill of medieval Indian poets and highlights the preservation efforts of scholars like Shilchandrasuri.