Rushabh Shatak

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rushabh Shatak" by Kalyankirtivijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Rushabh Shatak (ऋषभ शतक) Author: Pandit Hemvijayganni (पं. श्रीहेमविजयजी गणि) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan (This appears to be the journal or publication series) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229302/1

Overview and Authorial Context:

The "Rushabh Shatak" is a laudatory poetic work dedicated to Lord Rushabhdev, the first Tirthankar of Jainism. It is presented as a stavana (praise) and is considered exceptional for its poetic quality and descriptive content. The author, Pandit Hemvijayganni, was a disciple of Pandit Kamalvijayganni.

Author's Historical and Literary Background:

• Lineage: Pandit Hemvijayganni belonged to the Tapa Gaccha tradition, specifically a branch originating from Acharya ShriMuniSundar Suri. His lineage traces through Shubhvimal, Amravijay, Kamalvijayganni, and finally to Hemvijayganni himself.
• Time Period: Based on the dates of his other works, Hemvijayganni is estimated to have lived from the latter half of the 16th century to the early 17th century Vikram Samvat. He passed away in VS 1681 after completing 16 cantos of his Mahakavya "Vijayprashasti."
• Literary Output: Hemvijayganni was a prolific and accomplished scholar and poet who wrote extensively in Sanskrit. His notable works include:
  • Parshvanath Charitra (VS 1632)
  • Jin Chaturvinsati Stuti (VS 1650) (featuring intricate kamalbandh poems where initial letters form names)
  • Rushabh Shatak (VS 1656)
  • Katharatnakar (VS 1657)
  • Vijayprashasti Mahakavya (VS 1681) (a grand epic detailing the life of Vijay Sen Suri, considered comparable to Raghuvansha)
  • He also authored other works like Anyoktimuktamahodadhi, Keertikallolini, Suktaratnavali, Sadbhav Shatak, Stuti Tridashatarangini, Kasturiprakar, Vijayastuti, and hundreds of smaller hymns.
• Gujarati Works: Evidence suggests he also composed many works in Gujarati, such as Kamalvijay Ras and Samata Sajhjaay.
• Praise: His contemporary, Vachak Gunvijay, praised Hemvijayganni for his eloquence, comparable to Hemsuri, his deep devotion to the divine and gurus, and his extraordinary poetic talent that produced fame without any tangible basis (implying pure poetic merit).

Introduction to the "Rushabh Shatak" (Krutiprichay):

• Inspiration: The "Rushabh Shatak" is structured as an imitation of "Jin Shatak" by Muni Jambu (circa VS 1025). Jambu Muni's work also consisted of 100 verses in the Sragdhara meter, divided into four sections, praising the Jinendra's feet, hands, face, and speech, adorned with various metaphors.
• Structure and Content: Pandit Hemvijayganni, following Jambu Muni's lead, composed 100 verses in the Shardulvikridita meter. However, he chose to focus on four distinct themes related to Lord Rushabhdev's life, organized chronologically across four sections (paricchedas), with 25 verses in each:
  1. The Bull Emblem (Vrushabha Laanchan Varnan): Describing the auspicious symbol of the bull adorning Lord Rushabhdev.
  2. Marriage of the Two Princesses (Kanyadvay Vivah Varnan): Detailing the marriage of Lord Rushabhdev to his two wives, Sunanda and Sumangala.
  3. The Matted Locks during Initiation (Jata Varnan): Explaining the origin of the matted locks on his head at the time of renunciation, as a boon from Indra.
  4. Breaking the Fast with Sugarcane Juice (Ikshuras Paaran Varnan): Recounting how Shreyans Kumar offered sugarcane juice to Lord Rushabhdev to break his year-long fast.

Detailed Description of Each Section (with examples):

• Section 1: The Bull Emblem:

  • Example Verse 5: The poet expresses being nourished by the Lord's cow-like speech, which resides in the hearts of the wise. He feels gratitude for the Lord's service and states that the bull, as an emblem, took refuge in the Lord for this reason, whom they praise.
  • Example Verse 20: This verse compares Lord Rushabhdev's gait to that of a swan, bull, and elephant. The defeated swan went to heaven, the elephant to the forest, while the bull remains, indicating that its pride is only moderated by respecting great souls. The poet prays for the Lord's prosperity, whom the bull has taken as a symbol of refuge.

• Section 2: Marriage of the Two Princesses:

  • Example Verse 11: The Ashwini Kumars, defeated by the Lord's divine beauty, offered their two sisters as gifts. The Lord, worthy of worship by kings, accepted both, symbolizing their unity.
  • Example Verse 15: The poet draws parallels between various deities having two consorts (Shiva-Ganga/Gauri, Surya-Chhaya/Chhavi, Vishnu-Shri/Gopi, Kamdev-Rati/Preeti). Following this divine precedent, Lord Rushabhdev married two women, and the poet invokes him for prosperity.

• Section 3: The Matted Locks:

  • Example Verse 4: The Yamuna river, wishing to prevent the Lord from destroying her brother Yama, is depicted as having approached the Lord. The poet praises the Lord, whose matted locks adorned his ears, and wishes him lasting prosperity.
  • Example Verse 12: The Lord's matted locks on his arms are described as resembling a black serpent placed by Brahma to guard the nectar-like meditation in the heart's pond. These locks bestow fortune, and the poet prays for his well-being.

• Section 4: Breaking the Fast with Sugarcane Juice:

  • Example Verse 5: Lord Rushabhdev is the first among kings, ascetics, and Arihants. His extreme penance is breaking for the first time, and sugarcane juice is the best among all juices. With the understanding that this juice would be auspicious for the Lord, Shreyans offered it, and the poet praises him.
  • Example Verse 21: This verse poetically describes sugarcane juice's properties: its growth involves poison (or it grows from the earth), its origin is with poison, its existence is in a poisonous abode, it is surrounded by venomous creatures, yet it is called 'Amrut' (nectar). The poet questions its relevance for the Lord who consumes nectar from heaven, and instead, praises the Lord who accepted the sugarcane juice offered by Shreyans for the welfare of the devotees.

Creative Techniques and Comparison:

The poet Hemvijayganni has infused the "Shatak" with numerous imaginative and metaphorical descriptions, making it a delightful read that uplifts the heart. The text is compared to the works of the great poet Dhanpal, who also praised Lord Rushabhdev with sweetness, joy, and original metaphors. However, Hemvijayganni's focus on specific aspects of Lord Rushabhdev's life makes his praise unique and deeply evocative.

Editorial and Manuscript Information:

• Place and Year of Composition: The work was composed in VS 1656 at Stambhatirth (Khambhat).
• Editing: The text was later revised by Pandit Shrilabhvijayganni.
• Manuscript Source: The editing and publication are based on a xerox copy of a manuscript from the Sagar Gaccha Jain Pedi Bhandar in Radhanpur (Catalog No. Dha. 6/63), obtained through Ā. Shri Yogtilak Suriji.
• Manuscript Condition: The manuscript's writing is from Akbarpur (Khambhat). It appears to be an early draft, as it contains some inaccuracies and missing words/lines. There were difficulties in deciphering some letters due to the xerox quality, with the assistance of senior gurus helping to resolve some issues.
• Manuscript Details: The handwriting is described as beautiful. Each page typically has 13 lines, except for the last two pages (8/2), which have 12 lines. The total number of verses is approximately 250.

The text concludes with the completion of the fourth section and the entire "Rushabh Shatak," noting the year of completion as VS 1656 in Stambhatirth and mentioning the manuscript was written in Akbarpur for the pleasure of the Sangh.