Rajasthani Jain Santo Ki Sahitya Sadhna

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text, focusing on the literary contributions of Jain saints in Rajasthan, as described by Kasturchand Kasliwal:

The book "Rajasthani Jain Santo ki Sahitya Sadhna" by Kasturchand Kasliwal highlights the profound and multifaceted literary contributions of Jain saints in Rajasthan, a region renowned for its valor, history, literature, and culture. The author asserts that while Rajasthan's warriors defended the land with their lives, its saints, acharyas, and scholars served literature immensely, spreading patriotism, duty, and morality through their writings.

Rajasthan as a Literary Hub:

• The text establishes Rajasthan as a significant center for Jain saints for hundreds of years. Places like Dungarpur, Sagwada, Nagaur, Amer, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Chittorgarh were key spiritual and literary hubs from which these saints traveled across India to uplift people.
• These saints were not confined to any single language, readily writing in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati, depending on the demand of the populace. Their primary aim was self-improvement and the welfare of humanity.

The Immense Literary Legacy of Jain Saints:

• Kasliwal strongly believes that after the ancient sages and saints of the Vedic, Upanishadic, and epic eras, Jain saints have contributed more to the service and preservation of Indian literature than any other sect or religious order.
• They not only created thousands of works in various languages but also passionately collected and preserved the writings of their predecessors, meticulously copying them to fill numerous manuscript libraries. The existence of hundreds of handwritten manuscript libraries in Rajasthan today stands as a testament to their literary service.
• Jain saints were inclusive in their collection efforts, gathering valuable and welfare-oriented literature from wherever it was available, establishing libraries for this purpose. As a result, Rajasthan's Jain manuscript libraries still house an estimated one to two lakh handwritten manuscripts.

Preservation and Collection of Ancient Texts:

• Beyond collecting their own works, Jain saints actively wrote commentaries on literary works by non-Jain scholars, facilitating their study.
• The Jaisalmer Jain manuscript library is highlighted as a repository comparable to any ancient and large library in India, containing numerous palm-leaf manuscripts – an invaluable national treasure. The text mentions that such ancient palm-leaf manuscripts are rare elsewhere.
• The establishment of the Brihad Jnanabhandar by Shri Jinchandra Suri in 1467 Vikram Samvat is credited with saving hundreds of invaluable literary treasures from destruction.
• Western scholars like Colonel Tod, Dr. Bühler, and Dr. Jacobi, as well as Indian scholars like Bhandarkar and Dalal, were astonished by the Jaisalmer libraries.
• These libraries contain incredibly ancient manuscripts, including a copy of Dronacharya's Opaniyukti Vritti (copied in 1117 VS), Dandikavi's Kavyadarsha (1161 VS), Mammat's Kavyaprakasha (1215 VS), Rudrat's Kavyalankara with Namisadhu's commentary (1206 VS), and Kuntaka's Vakrokti-jivit (14th century).
• The oldest available copy of Vimal Suri's Prakrit epic Paumachariya (1204 VS) is in Jaisalmer, as is the highly ancient copy of Udyotan Suri's Kuvalayamala (1261 VS).
• Ancient copies of works by great poets like Kalidasa, Magha, Bharavi, Harsha, Halayudha, and Bhaṭṭi, along with their commentaries, are also found in libraries in Amer, Ajmer, and Nagaur.
• Manuscripts of philosophical and legal texts like Sankhyatattvakoumudi, Patanjalyayogadarshana, Nyayabindu, Nyayakandali, Khandana-khandakhadya, and Gotamiyanay Suttavrutti are also present.
• In drama literature, works like Mudrarakshasa, Benisamhara, Anargharaghava, and Prabodhachandrodaya are notable.

Emphasis on Copying and Dissemination:

• The text emphasizes the effort involved in copying manuscripts, requiring pure handwriting, clear script, and a dedicated posture. Only disciplined scholars could undertake this task.
• Jain saints actively encouraged people to read and study these texts, often praising such activities at the end of their own compositions. The book provides two illustrative verses from Shri Chandra's Ratnakaranda and Bhagwan Devendra Kirti's Pradyumna Prabandh that highlight the merits of reading, teaching, writing, and having texts written.
• Kavi Sadharu's verses further illustrate the immense spiritual rewards of studying and promoting Jain texts.

Preservation and Challenges:

• The saints' dedication to preservation is evident in the vast collections found today. However, the author laments the loss of numerous manuscripts due to destruction by fanatical rulers during the Muslim period and negligence leading to damage by rodents, termites, and moisture.
• The author advocates for the study and proper cataloging of the remaining manuscripts, making them accessible to scholars to fully realize the literary efforts of the saints.
• Modernization and conversion of these libraries into research centers are proposed to facilitate research in Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Rajasthani languages.
• The oldest paper manuscript (1319 VS) is found in the Jaipur Shastrabhandar, and a highly ancient Hindi work, Jindatt Chaupai (composed in 1354 VS), was recently discovered in a Jaipur library.

Literary Contributions by Language:

• Prakrit-Apabhramsa Literature:

  • Acharya Padmanandi: Author of Jambudvipapannatti, a work describing Jambudvipa with 2386 Prakrit verses, composed in Varaa (Kota).
  • Haribhadra Suri: A scholar from Chittorgarh, he wrote extensive Sanskrit commentaries on Agam texts and philosophical works like Anekant-Jayapataka and Anekantavadapravesha. His Prakrit work Samaraiccaha is a beautiful blend of prose and verse, depicting six rebirths of two opposing characters. Dhurtakhyan and philosophical works like Yogabindu and Yogadrushtisamuccaya are also mentioned.
  • Maheshwar Suri: Authored Jnanapanchamikaha in Prakrit and Sanyamamajurikaha in Apabhramsa, both featuring beautiful Jain tales.
  • Harishena: An Apabhramsa poet from Chittorgarh, author of Dhamma Parikkha (1044 VS), which contains 100 stories in 11 sections and was very popular in Rajasthan.
  • The text notes that Rajasthan's libraries house over 100 Apabhramsa works by poets like Swayambhu, Pushpadanta, Vira, and Raidhū, with significant collections in Jaipur, Amer, and Nagaur.

• Sanskrit Literature:

  • Many Jain saints were proficient Sanskrit scholars, composing puranas, poems, biographies, stories, stotras, and puja literature for lay followers.
  • Siddharshi: Considered one of the first Jain saints to write a Sanskrit commentary on Upadeshamala and completed Upamitibhavaprapancha Katha in 662 VS. He also authored Chandrakaalicharitra (974 VS).
  • Acharya Hemachandra: Highly influential in Rajasthan, his works are equally present in both sects' libraries.
  • Bhaṭṭarak Sakalkirti: A prominent figure in the 15th century, he was a great Sanskrit scholar and established a Bhaṭṭarak gadi in Galiyakot (1462 VS). He wrote over 28 Sanskrit works.
  • His successors, including Bhaṭṭarak Bhuvanakirti, Brahma Jinda, Bhaṭṭarak Jnanabhushana, Vijaya Kirti Shubhachandra, Sakalabhushana, and Sumatikirti, were also renowned Sanskrit scholars who authored and encouraged the copying of Sanskrit texts.
  • Brahma Jinda: Authored over 12 works, including Ramacharita (Padma Purana) and Harivamsha Purana.
  • Bhaṭṭarak Jnanabhushana: His Tattvajnanatarangini (1560 VS) showcases his Sanskrit scholarship.
  • Shubhachandra: Known as a "Shatbhashakavichakravarti" (poet emperor of six languages), he authored 24 Sanskrit works, including Chandraprabhacharitra and Jivandharacharita.
  • Acharya Somakirti: An eminent scholar of the 15th century, he wrote popular works like Saptavyasanakatha and Yashodharacharita.
  • Brahm Raymall: Demonstrated his Sanskrit scholarship by writing a commentary on the Bhaktamarastotra.
  • Brahm Kamaraj: Wrote Jayapurana (1560 VS) after reviewing Sakalkirti's Adipurana.
  • Harkirti Suri: Compiled the Ayurvedic text Yogachintamani (also known as Vaidyaksarasamgraha).
  • Jindatsuri: Established the Brihad Jnanabhandar in Jaisalmer in the 15th century. His disciple Kamalasanayopadhyaya wrote a Sanskrit commentary on Uttaradhyayana (1544 VS).
  • Many Bhaṭṭaraks from Amer, Jaipur, Shri Mahavirji, Ajmer, and Nagaur were also Sanskrit scholars, and their copied works are found in Rajasthan's libraries.

• Hindi and Rajasthani Literature:

  • The text notes that the composition of poetry in Hindi and Rajasthani began early in Rajasthan. As public interest grew, Jain saints embraced these languages.
  • While Prakrit and Apabhramsa continued to be used, Hindi gained popularity from the 13th-14th centuries.
  • Jain saints began writing in Hindi when it was considered less scholarly, but they persisted to cater to public demand, starting with shorter works and progressing to rasas, biographies, belis, phagus, puranas, and kavyas.
  • Jindatt Chaupai (14th century) is cited as a beautiful Hindi kavya recently found in Jaipur.
  • Devotional hymns (pad stavan) and stotras were widely written. Works on grammar, meter, rhetoric, medicine, mathematics, astrology, ethics, history, and dialogues were also composed.
  • Bharateshwar Bahubali Ras: Considered possibly the first Rajasthani work, written by Jain saint Shalibhadra Suri in the 13th century, depicting the lives of Bharat and Bahubali.
  • Numerous rasas followed, by poets like Vijayasen Suri (Revantagiri Ras, 1288 VS) and Sumatigani (Neminath Ras, 1270 VS).
  • The 15th century saw a surge in Hindi and Rajasthani literature.
  • Bhaṭṭarak Sakalkirti: Composed some works in Rajasthani, reflecting the literary trends of his time. Notable Rajasthani works include Aradhana-Pratibodhsaar and Namokar Geet.
  • Brahma Jinda: A disciple of Sakalkirti, he wrote over 60 works in Hindi, some larger than Tulsidas's Ramayana, including compositions on the lives of Rama and Sita. His works include 33 rasas, 2 puranas, and various devotional pieces.
  • Bhaṭṭaraks from Sakalkirti's lineage also showed interest in writing in Hindi.
  • Mahopadhyaya Jayasagar: A scholar of the 15th-16th century, he wrote over 32 works in Rajasthani, including prayers and stotras.
  • Rishivardhan Suri: Known for Naladamayanti Ras (1512 VS).
  • Matisagar: A 16th-century scholar whose Rajasthani works include Dhannaras (1514 VS) and Neminaath Vasant.
  • Brahm Buchraj: A renowned poet of the 16th century, known for Mayan-Jujjh and allegorical plays like Santosh-Tilak Jayamal and Chetan Pudgaladhamal.
  • Sant Vidyabhushana Ramasen: Completed Bhavishyattara Ras (1600 VS).
  • Dharmasamudra Gani: Authored Sumitra Kumar Ras (1567 VS) and Prabhakar Gunakar Chaupai (1573 VS). Shakuntala Ras is a very short work.
  • Pavachandra Suri: A prolific poet who dedicated over 50 works to Rajasthani literature (born 1538 VS, passed 1612 VS).
  • Other notable Rajasthani poets include Vinayasamudra, Kushallabh, Harkalash, Kanaksoam, and Hemaratnasuri.
  • Kushallabh: Famous for Madhavanal Chaupai (1616 VS) and Dhola-Marvanri Chaupai, based on folk tales.
  • Harkalash: Wrote 27-28 works in Rajasthani, his ministry primarily in Jodhpur and Bikaner.
  • Brahm Raymall: Early 17th-century saint poet, popular works include Hanumat Chaupai and Sudarsan Ras.
  • Anandghan: A spiritual saint, known for Anandghan Bahottari and Anandghan Chobis (born 1660 VS, died 1730 VS).
  • Brahm Kapurchand: Completed Parshvanath Ras (1667 VS).
  • Harkirti: A prominent 17th-century Rajasthani poet, known for Chaturgati Veli (1683 VS) and other works filled with devotion and detachment.
  • Samaysundar: A highly knowledgeable scholar of Rajasthani, credited with 25 Sanskrit and 23 Hindi/Rajasthani works. He traveled extensively, fostering a literary environment and was also a skilled musician.
  • Saints from Gujarat, due to proximity, also contributed to Rajasthan's literary scene. Notable among them were Bhaṭṭarak Ratnakirti, Kumudchandra, Abhaychandra, Abhaynandi, Shubhachandra, Brahma Jayasagar, Muni Kalyankirti, Shripal, and Ganesh.
  • Ratnakirti: Known for Nemnath Phag, Nemnath Barahmasa, and devotional songs focusing on Neerajul's marriage.
  • Kumudchandra: Excelled his guru Ratnakirti, known as the Jain saint of Bardoli. His major works include Adinath Vivahlo, Nemeshwar Hamchi, and Bharatbahubali Chhand. His devotional songs and verses are vibrant and expressive.

Decline and Continued Preservation:

• The text notes a decline in scholarship among saints after 1800 VS, with a shift towards copying existing works rather than creating new ones. This practice, however, was also a significant contribution to the preservation of manuscripts.
• The author concludes by emphasizing the "unparalleled and significant service" of these Jain saints to Indian literature, stating that their efforts are worthy of being inscribed in golden letters in history and that their contributions can never be praised enough.