Pandit Nathuram Premi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Pandit Nathuram Premi, translated into English:

This text, found in the work "Arvachin Jain Jyotirdharo" (Modern Jain Luminaries) authored by Atmanandji and published by Jain Education International, details the life and contributions of Pandit Nathuram Premi, a prominent Jain scholar, editor, and literary figure.

Early Life and Background: Pandit Nathuram Premi was born in 1881 in the village of Deori in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, to an ordinary Vaniya (Porwad) family. His ancestors had migrated from Mewar to Bundelkhand. They were engaged in selling goods like jaggery and salt in surrounding villages, earning modest sums. Despite his humble origins, Nathuram was an intelligent child who excelled in his local village school, consistently securing first or second place. His sharp intellect led him to become a trained teacher, initially earning a meager salary of one and a half rupees, which later increased to six rupees per month. This early experience instilled in him a lifelong habit of frugality, with his savings being dedicated to literary publications and philanthropic endeavors.

Literary Pursuits and Early Career: After teaching for about two years, Premi's encounter with the poet Ameer Ali sparked his interest in poetry. He began writing under the pseudonym "Premi" and his poems were published in local magazines like "Kavyasudhakara" and "Rasik Mitra." Beyond writing, he also researched the works of other poets. This engagement with literary figures fueled his desire for further knowledge. He was transferred to Nagpur but returned to his hometown due to ill health.

Move to Mumbai and Editorial Career: A significant turning point in Premi's life was his move to Mumbai. He saw an advertisement for a clerk position in the Bombay Provincial Jain Sabha. Despite lacking the funds for travel, he applied and received a positive response. A supportive friend, Seth Khubchand, lent him ten rupees, enabling him to take up the position in Mumbai in 1901. His duties involved correspondence, handling accounts, and editing and posting the monthly magazine "Jain Mitra." In his spare time, he dedicated himself to learning Sanskrit, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali.

His integrity was tested when his employer, Seth, conducted a surprise audit. Premi presented accurate accounts but stated he could no longer work there due to a perceived lack of trust. Despite persuasion, he resigned from the clerkship but continued his work with "Jain Mitra."

Association with Seth Pannalalji Balival and "Jain-Hitechhi": In Mumbai, Premi met Seth Pannalalji Balival, a greatly admired literary enthusiast who had taken a vow of lifelong celibacy and dedicated himself to service. Known as "Guruji" in the community, Balival was a highly respected Jain scholar. Premi was deeply influenced by Balival's character, detachment, and devotion to service. It was from Balival that Premi learned Bengali. Impressed by Premi's capabilities, Balival gradually entrusted him with the management of "Jain-Hitechhi," "Jain-Grantharatnakar," and his other publications. With the initial support of Balival's nephew, Chaganlalji, Premi's editorship of "Jain-Hitechhi" elevated the magazine to an excellent all-India publication.

Collaboration with Seth Manikchand J.P. and "Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthamala": Premi's literary and publishing activities received a significant boost from Seth Manikchand J.P., a generous philanthropist who had rendered immense service to the Jain community. Seth Manikchand provided encouragement and financial support for Jainology, ancient scriptures, Jain literature, and the overall development of Jain students. He actively supported scholars and workers. Seth Manikchand would purchase hundreds of copies of Premi's publications at discounted prices and distribute them to scholars, institutions, and Jain temples. Having donated most of his wealth, Premi later established the "Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthamala" in his memory. This organization made high-quality, authentic, and beautifully produced books accessible to the community at nominal prices. This institution was later merged with "Gyanpith."

Establishment of Hindi Grantharatnakar Karyalaya, Mumbai: On September 24, 1912, Premi founded the Hindi Grantharatnakar Karyalaya in Mumbai. His aim was to gain independence from fluctuating employment and establish a just livelihood while promoting Hindi language and literature. This endeavor proved immensely successful, earning him widespread admiration from the Hindi-loving community across India. Before this, he had gained extensive experience in editing, research, and publication through "Jain Mitra," "Jain-Hitechhi," and various Jain texts. He had also mastered Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Prakrit-Apabhramsha languages.

This was the first original book series in Western India dedicated to making high-quality Hindi books affordable. Premi poured his heart, mind, and wealth into its development. His dedication often caused concern for his family members. Even after the passing of his wife in 1932 and his only son, Hemchandra, in 1940, Premi remained immersed in his work. His unwavering enthusiasm and continuous effort were key to the success and recognition of this institution. The success was also attributed to the promoters' adherence to principles:

1. Accepting only excellent, people-oriented books for publication.
2. Conducting meticulous research and editing.
3. Ensuring attractive, artistic, and high-quality printing.
4. Maintaining cordial relationships with authors and other publishers, viewing them as companions rather than competitors.

This approach led to the publication of prominent works by Acharya Mahavirprasad Dwivedi, Premchand, Jainendrakumar, Chaturse, Shastri, and Sudarshan, among other renowned Hindi writers. Even after authors' rights were fulfilled, Premi would offer financial assistance if needed due to unforeseen circumstances. Consequently, books published by this organization were highly sought after, and there was no need to rely heavily on critics.

"History of Jain Literature": Premi authored the monumental "History of Jain Literature." This significant historical work meticulously details the lives and contributions of great acharyas, scholars, practitioners, poets, and literary figures from the 2nd century to beyond the 13th century, covering subjects such as logic, philosophy, spirituality, yoga, grammar, poetics, rhetoric, language, and the theory of karma. It is highly beneficial for practitioners and students of history and research.

He also provided comprehensive introductions to available texts like "Nitivakyaramrita" and "Aradhana," as well as numerous rare and unpublished works. Beyond character and religious topics, he presented impartial analyses of lineage, clans, inscriptions, etymology of words and their historical context, original thoughts on various philosophical and cultural matters, and information about pilgrimage sites. This demonstrates his profound and deep scholarship and critical acumen.

Editorship of "Jain Mitra" and "Jain-Hitechhi": Premi's editorship of the popular Jain magazines "Jain Mitra" and "Jain-Hitechhi" was marked by such skill, dedication, and scholarly depth that both magazines achieved high acclaim for their quality.

Memories with Prajnachakshu Sukhlalji: Premi shared a relationship with Pandit Sukhlalji for over three decades, which deepened into a profound bond. While Pandit Sukhlalji was in Agra, he would recite a prayer composed by Premi with his friends and students daily.

Premi's Prayer: The prayer, recited by Premi, expresses a desire for divine wisdom that fosters the welfare of all three worlds, emphasizing empathy and selfless service.

Pandit Sukhlalji held this prayer in high regard. He developed great respect for Premi after reading his articles in "Jain-Hitechhi." He was delighted and surprised to find Premi, a Jain scholar, to be so unconventional and fearless.

In 1918, Premi visited Pune and stayed at the residence of Shri Jinvijayji, where Pandit Sukhlalji was also present. Pandit Sukhlalji welcomed Premi by reciting the aforementioned prayer, transforming indirect affection into direct friendship. Within days, Pandit Sukhlalji was deeply impressed by Premi's extensive knowledge and genuine, unpretentious simplicity. Their friendship flourished throughout their lives. Pandit Sukhlalji would invariably meet and stay with Premi whenever he visited Mumbai. Pandit Sukhlalji developed a familial relationship with Premi's wife, Ramabehen, son Hemchandra, and daughter-in-law Champa. They would spend hours walking together in the hilly areas of Ghatkopar and Mulund.

Premi deeply respected Pandit Sukhlalji's intellect and requested him to edit other logic texts similarly. Through Premi, Pandit Sukhlalji also came into contact with many esteemed scholars like Jugalkishorji Mukhtar, Babu Surajbhanu Vakil, and Pandit Darbarilalji "Satyabhakt." Discussions on literature, philosophy, history, metaphysics, and research were common, with their time spent in thoughtful discourse and spiritual conversations, interspersed with lighthearted humor.

Pandit Sukhlalji was significantly influenced by Premi's unconventionality, simplicity, and fearlessness. Furthermore, Premi's simple and honest personal life, his unwavering dedication to duty, his vast reading and contemplation leading to immense knowledge, his broad outlook in all aspects of life, and his loving interactions with everyone, including his reformist nature, deeply resonated with Pandit Sukhlalji. This led to their intimate friendship.

Premi expressed three earnest and final desires to Pandit Sukhlalji:

1. The level of scholarship, spiritual purity, and prestige of Jain scholars should be elevated.
2. The urgent work of restoring, preserving, researching, and publishing Jain manuscripts, especially Digambar manuscripts, using modern methods, should be undertaken swiftly.
3. Plans should be implemented to address the narrow-mindedness of caste and sub-caste within the Jain community and to alleviate the pitiable condition of women, particularly widows.

Conclusion: Born into a simple and impoverished village family, Pandit Nathuram Premi achieved remarkable success as a great publisher, editor, and literary figure in the field of Hindi language and Jain literature on an all-India level through his immense and honest hard work. The widespread enthusiasm and voluntary participation of over 125 distinguished individuals from various fields—nationalists, social reformers, Hindi enthusiasts, and service-oriented individuals—in his felicitation volume, published when he was 66 years old, attests to his multifaceted genius. To become the architect of such a grand personality, he diligently cultivated qualities such as social service, thirst for knowledge, ceaseless industriousness, patience, expertise, tolerance, a spirit of truth-seeking, universal friendship, unconventionality, and reformist zeal for decades. This enabled him to successfully journey from being a human to a great human.