Sahityakar Jaybhikkhu - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sahityakar Jaybhikkhu" by Atmanandji, focusing on the life and literary career of Jaybhikkhu:

Sahityakar Jaybhikkhu: A Literary Luminary

This text, authored by Atmanandji, celebrates the life and significant contributions of the prominent Jain litterateur, Jaybhikkhu.

Early Life and Education:

Birth: Shri Jaybhikkhu was born on Friday, June 26, 1908 (Jeth Vad 13, V.S. 1964) at his maternal grandparents' home in Vinchhiya, Saurashtra.
Family: His father was Virchand Hemchand Desai, and his mother was Parvatibai. His mother passed away when he was only four years old, leading him to spend his childhood in Vinchhiya.
Hometown: Jaybhikkhu's ancestral village was Sayla (Lala Bhagat's village) in Saurashtra.
Names: He was affectionately known as "Bhikhabhai" within his family, "Balabhai" among friends, and gained public recognition as a writer under the pen name "Jaybhikkhu."
Education: He completed his primary education in Varsoda near Vijapur and his secondary education up to the third year of English at the Tutorial High School in Ahmedabad. Subsequently, he joined the Shri Veer Tattwa Prakashak Mandal in Mumbai, an institution founded by the late Acharya Shri Vijaydharmasuri. He further pursued his studies in Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, and English for eight to nine years in Shivpuri, Gwalior state, a region rich in natural beauty.

Marriage and Literary Beginnings:

Marriage: He married Vijayaben on January 13, 1930.
Pen Name Origin: His pen name, "Jaybhikkhu," is a harmonious blend of his and his wife's names: "Jay" from Vijayaben and "Bhikhu" from Bhikhalal.
Influences: Jaybhikkhu's life was characterized by a spirit of joy and adventure. He believed that the blessings received from serving his gurus, direct experience of the wider world through interaction rather than just reading, and inspiration drawn from nature were more impactful on his development than formal education. He was deeply inspired by Govardhanram Tripathi, particularly his work "Sarasvatichandra," which was his favorite book, and this largely motivated him to become a writer.

Literary Career and Philosophy:

Professional Start: Jaybhikkhu began his writing career in 1933 and resided in Ahmedabad from then on.
Key Life Decisions: Upon completing his studies and facing decisions about his future, he made three crucial resolutions:
1. To not take up a job.
2. To not accept ancestral property.
3. To live by the pen.
Faith in Literature: He firmly believed that Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge) looks after those who dedicate themselves to her with contentment and perseverance, and his own life served as a testament to this belief.
Journalistic Experience: Jaybhikkhu's early career was as a journalist. For many years, his insightful writings appeared in the magazines "Jain Jyoti" and "Vidyarthi." He also contributed to the prominent Gujarati daily "Gujarat Samachar" with his well-known column "It ane Imarat" (Brick and Building), the children's weekly "Zagmag," and occasionally wrote for publications like Akhand Anand, Jankalyan, and Gujarat Times.

Writing Style and Impact:

Unique Style: Jaybhikkhu possessed a highly distinctive writing style. He had the remarkable ability to transform even small or seemingly insignificant stories into profound narratives by infusing them with the essence of humanity.
Renowned Novels: His novels were highly acclaimed by both Jain and non-Jain readers, with some people reportedly reading his novels fifteen to twenty times.
Translations and Awards: His stories were translated into Kannada and Telugu. Thirteen of his books received awards from the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.
Pioneer in Children's Literature: He is considered a leading figure in Gujarati children's literature, having provided a unique, invaluable, and previously unattained perspective and direction to the genre. His natural artistic talent, combined with his diligence, precision, and experience, resulted in works that imparted essential knowledge for child development while also incorporating delightful and innocent entertainment, akin to adding fragrance to gold.
Living by the Pen: Jaybhikkhu lived solely on his earnings from writing and also inspired other artists to do the same. He did not confine himself to narrow literary boundaries but pursued his craft with his characteristic joy.

Later Life and Legacy:

Precognition of Death: He had a premonition of his approaching death. His final message to his family was to live a life like an incense stick ("agarbatti" – spreading fragrance).
Demise: Jaybhikkhu passed away on December 24, 1969, marking the loss of a pillar of Gujarat's cultural landscape.
Continuing Legacy: Following the Gujarati proverb "Diye divo petay" (one lamp lights another), his son, Dr. Kumar Pal Desai, achieved significant recognition at a young age as a writer, professor, journalist, and orator.
Values in Literature: Jaybhikkhu harbored a deep yearning for chastity and ideal character, and his literature served to nurture these very values.
Posthumous Publications: After his death, his books continued to be published through the Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust.

Literary Works:

Dedication: Throughout his life, Jaybhikkhu remained a devoted devotee of Saraswati, dedicating approximately 300 works to Mother Gujarathi.
Major Works: His significant contributions include:
- "Jain Bal Granthavali" Series 1-2
- Biographies of great personalities, including Lord Mahavir, Acharya Buddhisagarsuri, Upadhyay Shri Premvijayji, and Shri Rajendrasuri Memorial Volume.
- He wrote biographies of numerous other religious figures and saints in an engaging style that appealed to both children and adults.
Impact on Jain Narrative Literature: Before Jaybhikkhu, Jain narratives were often perceived as solely focused on dry renunciation or purely mythical facts. His skillful penmanship revolutionized this perception across Gujarat, making Jain narrative literature widely and enthusiastically read by the general populace. Through this medium, Jaybhikkhu commendably propagated Jainism.
Continuation by Son: In recent years, his son, Dr. Kumar Pal Desai, through the Jaybhikkhu Trust, has continued the work of promoting and disseminating tasteful and culturally inspiring literature.