Rajasthan Ka Jain Sanskrut Sahitya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Rajasthan ka Jain Sanskrit Sahitya" by Premchand Ranvaka:

The book "Rajasthan ka Jain Sanskrit Sahitya" by Dr. Premchand Ranvaka highlights Rajasthan's significant contribution to Indian history, not only as a land of valor but also as a vibrant center for scholars and Sanskrit literature. While Rajasthan's warriors defended their homeland, its Jain ascetics, scholars, and saints dedicated themselves to the service of literature and culture, spreading patriotism, morality, and cultural awareness through their works. This harmonious blend of strength and devotion is presented as a unique characteristic of Rajasthan.

The text emphasizes that Jain monks and scholars have been a focal point of Rajasthan for centuries. Cities like Dungarpur, Sagwara, Nagaur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Chittor served as centers from which they traveled throughout Rajasthan and other parts of India, imparting knowledge and self-discipline, and preaching for the welfare of the common people. These scholars were multilingual, not bound to any particular language, and created literature in Sanskrit, Hindi, and other languages according to the interests and needs of the public, aiming for self-improvement and the well-being of humanity. Quoting Dr. Kasturchand Kasliwal, the book asserts that after the Rishis and saints of the Vedic, Upanishadic, Puranic, Ramayana, and Mahabharata eras, no other sect or religious order has served and protected Indian literature as extensively as the Jain saints.

Jain saints in Rajasthan not only created thousands of works in various languages but also passionately collected the writings of their predecessors. They meticulously copied ancient texts, established numerous manuscript libraries, and encouraged public reading and study. The numerous handwritten manuscript libraries across Rajasthan stand as testament to their literary service. These Jain saints, in their pursuit of knowledge preservation, transcended sectarian divisions, collecting and preserving beneficial literature from all sources and establishing libraries wherever possible. This dedication is why Rajasthan's libraries now hold approximately three lakh (300,000) manuscripts in various languages and subjects, forming an integral part of Indian literary heritage.

The book further elaborates on Rajasthan's contribution to the development of literature as a facet of Indian culture. As a predominantly Jain region, Jain poets have made commendable efforts in enriching Sanskrit epic poetry. Dr. Satya Vrat is quoted as saying that it is a "pleasant surprise" that Jain ascetics, despite their disciplined lives and specific viewpoints, ventured into the broader literary field and succeeded in enriching Indian literature with compositions in various genres and styles.

A significant portion of Indian Sanskrit literature is preserved in Jain manuscript repositories, with libraries in Jaisalmer, Nagaur, and Bikaner serving as proof. These libraries have shed light on the history of Sanskrit literature. The text acknowledges that scholars owe a debt to the "great Jain monks" who, out of their love for Sanskrit, protected many rare and forgotten Sanskrit works from the ravages of time and history.

The book highlights the remarkable contribution of Jain acharyas, saints, and scholars in the preservation, promotion, and nourishment of Sanskrit literature in Rajasthan. Jain poets in Rajasthan composed works in Sanskrit across every literary genre, including philosophy, logic, grammar, literature, biographical epics, Puranas, dramas, narratives, hymns, worship, and linguistics.

The text then proceeds to detail prominent Jain scholars and their works chronologically, starting from the 10th century:

Haribhadrasuri (8th-9th century AD): Considered the first architect of Rajasthani Jain Sanskrit literature, associated with Chittor. He was proficient in both Prakrit and Sanskrit, writing extensively on religion, yoga, philosophy, logic, anekanta, conduct, and ahimsa, as well as commentaries on Agam Sutras. Notable works include Anuyogdwarasutra-Tika, Nyayavinishchaya, and Yogdrishti Samuchchaya. His yoga works explore a comparative study of Jain yoga and Patanjali's yoga.
Upmithibhavaprapanchakatha (682 AD): Described as a supreme allegorical work, considered ancient and original in world literature. It portrays the vast form of Dharma through fictional characters, reminiscent of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress."
Ailacharya (late 8th century AD): A scholar of Prakrit and Sanskrit, well-versed in Shastras, residing in Chitrakootpur. He was the guru of Acharya Virasena.
Acharya Amritchandra Suri (10th century AD): Wrote Sanskrit commentaries on Samaysar, Pravachansar, and Panchastikaya. Popular works include Purusharthasiddhi Pay, Svarthasar, and Samaysar Kalash. He spent considerable time in Rajasthan.
Acharya Ramasena (10th century AD): Author of Tattva-anushasan in the Bagad region, making the complex subject of spirituality accessible.
Acharya Mahasena (10th century AD): Composed the Pradyumnacharitra in 14 cantos in Sanskrit, associated with Lad Bagad.
Chittor-based Poet (1055 AD): Composed Panch Sangrah in Sanskrit, a translation of the Prakrit Panch Sangrah narratives.
Acharya Hemachandra (11th-12th century AD): An eminent Sanskrit scholar whose works were widely influential in Rajasthan. His contributions to Sanskrit literature are described as astounding, with Praman-mimansa being a unique work on logic, Shishtishalaka Purushacharita a renowned epic, and Siddha-Hema-Shabdanushasana a popular grammar.
Ashadhar (1292 AD): A resident of Mandalgarh, composed numerous works in Sanskrit on logic, grammar, poetry, rhetoric, lexicography, dharma shastra, and medicine. He also wrote commentaries on non-Jain texts. His works include Aradhana-sara-Tika, Gamesvarabhuday, and Dharmamrita. He is considered a formidable Sanskrit scholar.
Vagbhatta (13th century AD): Composed Chhandoh-anushasan and Kavya-anushasan in Mewar.
Somaprabhacharya (13th century AD): Author of Suktimuktavali, a collection of beautiful verses with graceful language and artistic merit. His Shrungar-vairagya-tarangini is also a significant work.
Bhattaraka Prabhachandra (13th century AD): Based in Ajmer, he wrote popular Sanskrit commentaries on Pujyapada's Samadhitantra and Acharya Gunabhadra's Atmanushasana, alongside installing murtis in Jain temples.
Bhattaraka Padmanandi (1385 AD): Disciple of Prabhachandra, a highly learned scholar favored by Saraswati, reportedly brought a stone statue of Saraswati to life with his voice. His centers of literary and religious propagation included Chittor, Mewar, Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, and Gujarat. His main works include Shravakachar, Parshvanatha Stotra, and Deva Shastra Guru Puja.
Jananapraturi (14th century AD): Composed Iyaaya Begik Kavya, a work that combines grammatical commentary with the life story of Shrenika.
Jinprahasuri (1386 AD): A spiritual guide who enlightened Muhammad Tughlaq. His Vividha-tirtha-kalpa describes pilgrimage sites with vivid descriptions, blending devotion, history, and biography.
Bhattaraka Sakalkirti (15th century AD): Prominent in the Bagad region, a learned Sanskrit scholar who wrote over 28 works on Puranas, logic, and poetry. Key works include Moolachar-pradeep, Adipurana, Uttarapurana, and Yashodhar-charitra.
Brahm Jinasdasa: Born in Anhilpurpattan, Gujarat, and residing in Bagad under Bhattaraka Sakalkirti from 1480 to 1520 AD. He composed poetry in Hindi and Sanskrit, including Padmapurana and Jambuswami Charitra.
Bhattaraka Gyanbhushan (2560 AD): Author of Tattvgyan-tarangini, a self-realization poem. He was a Bhattaraka of Sagwara.
Shubachandra (2573 AD): Known as "Prakriti Chakravarti," a master of various Vidya (Shabdagam, Muktagam, and Paramagam). His 24 Sanskrit works include Chandaprabha-charitra, Karkandu-charitra, and Jivandhar-charitra.
Acharya Somkirti (15th century AD): Composed Sapt-vyasan-katha and Pramn-charitra in Sanskrit.
Jindatta Suri (15th century AD): Established a knowledge repository in Jaisalmer and was a great Sanskrit scholar.
Kamalsanyopadhyaya (1544 AD): Wrote a Sanskrit commentary on Uttaradhyayana.
Brahm Kamaraj (1560 AD): Composed Jayapurana.
Brahm Ravamall (16th century AD): Wrote a commentary on the Bhattamarastotra.
Mahopadhyaya Samaysundar (17th century AD): A versatile and supreme scholar, composed Ashtalakshi in 1646 AD, creating eight lakh (800,000) meanings from eight letters presented to Emperor Akbar during his victory in Kashmir.
Bhattaraka Somsen (1656 AD): Composed Padmapurana in Viratnagar.
Sant Harshakirti Suri (17th century AD): Wrote the famous Ayurvedic text Yogachintamani.
Upadhyaya Meghavijay (18th century AD): Composed the Saptnidan Kavya, detailing the lives of Rishabhdev, Shantinath, Arishtanemi, Parshvanath, and Mahavir, along with the characters of Rama and Krishna.

The book also lists other notable works and authors from the 18th century onwards, including Bhattaraka Shri Bhushan's worship literature, Bhattaraka Dharmachand's Gautamswami Charit, Pandit Jinas's Holi Renukacharitra, Pandit Rajmall's Jambuswamicharitra, Vadiraj's Vagbhattalamkara, Bhattaraka Devendrakirti's Samaysara Tika, Bhattaraka Surendrakirti's Ashtahnika Katha, Acharya Jnyansagar's Mahakavyas like Viroday, Japoday, and Dayoday, Pandit Chainsukhdass's Jain Darshansara and Sarvarthasiddhi Sar, Pandit Mulchand Shastri's Vachandootam, Muni Chauthamalji's Bhikshu Shabdanushasana, Acharya Shri Tulsi's Jain Siddhanta Deepika and Mano Anushasanam, Muni Shri Nathmalji's Sambodhi, and Chandanmuni's Abhinishkramanam and Prabhava Prabodha Kavya.

The text concludes by mentioning Acharya Vidyasagar as a young contemporary Sanskrit scholar, author of Shramanasooktam, a Jain Gita Kavya. It reaffirms that the flow of Sanskrit literature has been continuous in Rajasthan, with Jain monks, acharyas, and scholars contributing to its enrichment, a tradition that continues to thrive.