Prabandh Chintamani

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prabandh Chintamani" based on the provided pages, highlighting its key aspects:

Book Title: Prabandh Chintamani (Gujarati Translation) Original Author: Acharya Merutungasuri (Pūjyācārya Śrī Merutunga Sū.ma.) Original Composition Date: Vikram Samvat 1361, in Vadhavan (Gujarat). Original Language: Sanskrit Gujarati Translator: Shastri Ramchandra Dinanath Shastri Translation Date: Vikram Samvat 1944 (AD 1888) Publisher of this Edition: Kusum Amrut Trust, Vapi (Gujarat) Re-editor: Pujya Ganivarya Shri Hitvardhan Vijayji Maharaj Publication Year of this Edition: Vikram Samvat 2070 (AD 2014)

Introduction and Significance:

• Historical Importance: The "Prabandh Chintamani" is considered a significant historical text in Jain literature, comparable to "Prabhavak Charitra." Both works provide crucial insights into the history of the Jain Sangha and its connections with political events of their times. It fills a large gap in historical knowledge, particularly concerning the political history intertwined with the Jain community.
• Content: The book is composed of five "Sargas" (sections). It chronicles the lives and achievements of various prominent figures, primarily rulers and influential individuals, from King Vikramaditya up to Vastupal and Tejpal. Many of these figures were connected to the Jain faith, offering glimpses into the history of the Jain Sangha during their eras.
• Purpose: The original author, Acharya Merutungasuri, compiled this work by sifting through numerous "prabandhas" (narratives or accounts) created by ancient poets. He aimed to present these historical accounts in prose for the benefit and pleasure of intelligent people. He also included stories of modern notable individuals to make the text more engaging.
• Inspiration: The text aims not just for mental enjoyment but also to provide moral and spiritual inspiration, with lessons found on every page.

Key Figures and Narratives Covered (as indicated in the Table of Contents):

The book is structured into five "Sargas," each containing various "prabandhas" (narratives):

• Sarg 1: Vikramaditya Prabandh

  • Stories related to King Vikramaditya, including his subjugation of Vetala, the origin of Kalidasa the poet, achieving the "Suvarna Purusha Siddhi," matters of fair trade, and proving that certain marks are not inauspicious.
  • Includes a detailed narrative of Vikramaditya and Siddhsen Divakar.
  • Also covers the story of King Shalivahan, his past lives, his role as the founder of the Shaka era, the abduction of Queen Chandralekha, and the characters of Nagarjun and Padaliptacharya.
  • Mentions the acquisition of verses for Shalivahan Saptashati.

• Sarg 2: Bhoj and Bhimraja Prabandh

  • Narratives about King Bhoj, his generosity, the gathering of scholars, stories of the Saraswati family, a poor Brahmin, Triveni, Rajashekhar, and Damar's intellect.
  • Includes tales of Radhavedh, the origin of Dharanagari, the Digambara Fulchandra, encounters of Bhimbhoja, and the stories of Pandit Magha, Pandit Dhanpal, Sitapandita, Pandit Mayur, Pandit Bana, Manutungacharya, and the concepts of "Char vastu" (four things), "bijpurak" (seed-filler), and sugarcane.
  • Stories of Kalidasa and Bhoj are mentioned as found in other books.
  • The narratives of Ashvavar, the Gopika selling yogurt, Jain Acharya Chandansuri, and Karnaraj's origin are also included.
  • Covers Karnaraj's defeat by King Bhoj and his demise.

• Sarg 3: Siddharaja Prabandh

  • Focuses on the reign of Siddharaja Jayasimha.
  • Includes stories about Mulraj's intense compassion and death, Karnadev and Siddharaja's coronation, Lila the physician, Ministers Udayan and Santu, Minnaldevi's pride in her piety, Santu minister's clever defense of the kingdom, Siddharaja's victory over King Yashodharma of Malwa, the origin of the grammar book "Siddh Hem," his construction of Rudramal temples and Sahasraling lake.
  • Stories of poets like Ramchandra, Jayamangalacharya, Yashpal, and Hemacharya.
  • Defeat of Navadhan, the Abhir king (Khengar), and the renovation work done by Dandadhish Sajjan.
  • Siddharaja Someshwar's pilgrimage, including his visit to Shatrunjaya.
  • Defeat of the Digambara Kumudchandra, the life of Devachandrasuri, and the stories of Abhadsah, Sarvadarshan Manyata, and the Chana seller.
  • The "Kotidhwaj" (one who made crores) and the establishment of Sehore.
  • The narrative of Mangujhala and the prohibition of Mlechchhas' arrival.
  • A miracle shown to the King of Kolhapur, and the clever strategy of Shilan the jester and the Gurjar minister.
  • The story of Jayakeshi, the King of Karnat country, dying by burning with a parrot, and the "Papghat" (destruction of sin) and Karmavadi prabandhas.

• Sarg 4: Kumarpal Prabandh

  • Details Kumarpal's birth, his travels, coronation, battles with Chahad Kumara and Anhaka, the death of Solanki Gandharva and Mallikarjuna.
  • The stories of Hemchandracharya and his origin.
  • Hemchandracharya converting King Kumarpal to Jainism during Someshwar's pilgrimage.
  • Udayan's battle and death, and the temple restoration by Vagbhatta and Amradeva.
  • King Kumarpal's studies, Kapardini's scholarship, and the meaning of the word "Urwashi."
  • Vishaldev's name being contested, and the prabandha of Udayachandra Suri.
  • Stories related to consuming forbidden food and the prabandhas of Mushak and Karambha prasaados.
  • Prabandhas of Yukavihar and Gurudiksha Sthanadwar.
  • Stories of priest Brihaspati, servant Alinga, and Brahmin Vamarashi.
  • Prabandhas of Charanas, pilgrimages, and the failure to achieve "Swarnariddhi" (golden success).
  • Bahada Daneshwari, Lavana Prasad, and Hemachandracharya ruling the kingdom.
  • The miracles of Hemachandracharya and Shankaracharya.
  • Hemachandracharya and Kumarpal going to heaven, and Ajapala's wickedness.
  • The unfortunate deaths of ministers, and the reigns of Balamulraj and Bhim.
  • The downfall of Gujarat and the reign of Viradhavala, and the origin of Vastupal and Tejpal.
  • Vastupal's pilgrimages and his battle with Sayyad in Khambhat.
  • Vastupal's friendship with Alam Khan and the reign of Visaldeva.
  • The story of overcoming grief over Anupama's death and Vastupal's fame.

• Sarg 5: Prakirnak Prabandh (Miscellaneous Narratives)

  • Stories related to character analysis, Nandraj, and other figures.
  • The origin stories of Shiladitya, Suri Mallavadi, and Rankaseth.
  • The destruction of Shiladitya and the fall of Valabhinagar.
  • The stories of King Shripunja and his daughter Shrimata.
  • Prabandhas of kings Govardhan, Punyasara, and Chhatradhar.
  • The prabandhas of Lakshmanasen and King Jayachandra.
  • Stories of Jagdev, Parmardi, Prithviraj, Tung Subhat, and their narratives.
  • The origin of Konkan country, Varahamihir, Thambhan Tirth, and their prabandhas.
  • Prabandhas of Bhartrihari, Vaidya Vaghbhatta, and the five Kshetrapals of Revatachal.
  • Prabandhas of Vasana, Tarwar, Dhanad Seth, and others.

Editorial Notes and Improvements:

• The Gujarati translation of the original Sanskrit work was done over 125 years ago.
• Despite the translator Shastri Ramchandra Dinanath's extensive effort, his translation was found to have linguistic weaknesses, grammatical errors, and colloquialisms. This was partly because Gujarati was not his mother tongue and also due to the evolution of the Gujarati language over time.
• The current edition has undergone extensive revision and re-editing to make the language more accessible and correct the linguistic flaws. This involved replacing archaic words, correcting sentence structures, and providing necessary brevity while maintaining the original meaning.
• Comparisons with the original Sanskrit text were made to resolve ambiguities and ensure accuracy.
• Many inaccurate Sanskrit verses in the original translation have been corrected after verifying their sources.
• The re-editor, Shri Hitvardhan Vijayji Maharaj, expresses the need for a completely new translation but opted for this re-editing due to time constraints. He acknowledges the invaluable support of Pandit Amritbhai Kubadia of Palitana in the purification of the translation.
• Some notes have been added for clarification.

Publication Details:

• The publication of this book was largely funded by "Gyanadravya" (knowledge-related funds).
• Readers are encouraged to contribute to "Gyanakosh" (knowledge fund) and can obtain copies by donating Rs. 200/- to the fund.
• The current publication is the third edition of the Gujarati translation.
• The printing was done by Tejas Printers in Ahmedabad.

This summary aims to capture the essence and scope of the "Prabandh Chintamani" as presented in the provided pages, highlighting its historical, literary, and spiritual value within Jain tradition.