Samayasundarji

This document is a biographical sketch of Kavivar Shri Samaysundarji Maharaj, a prominent Jain monk and prolific writer in medieval Gujarati literature.

Here's a summary of the provided text:

• Prominent Jain Scholar and Poet: Shri Samaysundarji is recognized as a highly influential Jain monk and a significant contributor to Gujarati literature during the latter half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century CE. He was known for his literary genius and ascetic lifestyle.

• Early Life and Initiation:

  • Information about his life is derived from his own writings and verses composed by his disciples.
  • He was born in the Porwad Vahanik (merchant) community in Marwar, India.
  • His parents' names were Rupsingh and Liladevi.
  • His earliest known Sanskrit work, 'Maavat', dates back to 1641 VS (Vikram Samvat), where he refers to himself as "Gan Samaysundar." This suggests he achieved the title of "Gani" (a learned monk) about 8-10 years after his initiation, after dedicated practice and study.
  • He is believed to have received initiation around 1630 VS from Acharya Shri Jinchandrasurishwarji Maharaj, becoming a disciple of Shri Sakalchandji Gani, and was known as Muni Samaysundarji.
  • A disciple's verse indicates he took his vows in his "young youth," suggesting he was around 20 years old at the time of his initiation. This leads to an estimated birth year of around 1610 VS.
  • His pre-initiation name and studies are not explicitly mentioned in his works.

• Education and Mastery of Languages:

  • After his initiation, he dedicated significant time to studying under Shri Mahimraj (later Acharya Shri Jinsinhsuriji) and Upadhyay Shri Samayrajji Maharaj.
  • He deeply studied religious scriptures, commentaries, and poetry.
  • Possessing innate poetic talent, his extensive studies under his gurus enabled him to achieve exceptional proficiency in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Gujarati, Marwari, Hindi, Sindhi, and Punjabi languages.

• Titles and Recognition:

  • His extraordinary talent, sharp intellect, extensive knowledge, and ascetic life impressed Acharya Shri Jinchandrasuriji Maharaj, who conferred upon him the title of "Gani" on the fifth day of Magh Sud in 1640 VS.
  • In 1648 VS, he accompanied Acharya Shri Jinchandrasuriji Maharaj to Lahore, accepting an invitation from Emperor Akbar.
  • During this period, he impressed Emperor Akbar with his "Ashtalakshi" composition, where he interpreted an eight-lettered sentence in eight hundred thousand different ways.
  • On the second day of Fagan Sud in 1649 VS, Acharya Shri Jinchandrasuriji Maharaj awarded him the title of "Vachakacharya" (Master of Recitation/Interpretation). After receiving this title, he began referring to himself as "Vachak" in his works.
  • Around 20-21 years after becoming Vachakacharya, he was awarded the title of "Pathak" or "Upadhyay," as indicated by the poet Rajam.
  • There are many indications of him being honored with the "Upadhyay" pada at Lathera in 1671 VS by Acharya Shri Jinsinhsuriji.
  • After the passing of Acharya Shri Jinsinhsuriji in 1680 VS, Shri Samaysundarji was the seniormost and most knowledgeable monk in the Khartargachh. It is naturally assumed that he was then awarded the title of "Mahopadhyaya" (Great Upadhyay).

• Literary Contributions and Influence:

  • During this period, he began composing various poetic forms in Gujarati, including Raas, Prabandh, Geet, Stavan, and Chhatrisi.
  • He traveled extensively across Sindh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Saurashtra, establishing himself in different places during the Chaturmas (a four-month period of religious observance) and propagating the Dharma.
  • He enriched literary heritage by composing devotional hymns (Stavan) on the Tirthasthanas (holy places) he visited.
  • His scholarly discourses, melodious voice, and ascetic lifestyle profoundly influenced both Jain and non-Jain people.
  • As a result of his influence, he was instrumental in preventing animal sacrifice in many places. A Sindhi official, Makhdum Muhammad Sheikh Qazi, was so moved by his pure words that he decreed a ban on cow slaughter throughout Sindh and on the killing of aquatic creatures in Panchnadi.
  • Similarly, he advised Rawal Bhimji, leading to the cessation of the sacrifice of bulls in Jaisalmer. Mentions are also found of him advocating for the prohibition of meat consumption in places like Mandovar and Merta.
  • He had 42 disciples and many grand-disciples.
  • Throughout his long monastic life, he achieved great success as both a monk and a literary figure, becoming recognized as the foremost monk not only of his own Gachh but of the entire Jain Sangha.

• Later Life and Demise:

  • Due to old age, he finally settled in Ahmedabad.
  • He passed away in Ahmedabad on the 13th day of Chaitra Sud in 1703 VS.
  • He lived for over ninety years, leaving a significant mark on the propagation of Jainism.

• Legacy and Literary Works:

  • Shri Samaysundarji Maharaj's literary service is enduring. He composed works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Gujarati, covering grammar, commentaries, poetics, prosody, logic, astrology, history, narrative poems (Prabandh), aesthetics, dialogues, elementary teachings (Balavabodh), Visi, Chhatrisi, Stavan, Sajhay, and Geet.
  • He created approximately twenty works in Sanskrit and thirty major works in Gujarati.
  • His Sanskrit works include Bhavashatak, Rupakamala Avsuri, Kalikacharya Katha, Samachari Katha, Visheshashatak, and Dashavaikalik Tika.
  • His Gujarati compositions include works like "Char Pratyek Buddharas," "Mrigavati Ras," "Pushpar Ras," "Vatupal-Tejpal Ras," "Shatrunjay Ras," and "Bar Vrat Ras." These Raas compositions range from 100-125 lines to 3700 lines.
  • The sweetness of his language, the vividness of his descriptions, and the accuracy of his depictions made his literature of the highest quality.
  • The number of Geet (songs) composed by him exceeds a thousand. These songs became so popular due to their melodic beauty and lyrical elegance that a proverb emerged linking them with the architecture of Kumbh Rana: "Songs of Samaysundar, paintings on walls, or the structures of Kumbh Rana."
  • Additionally, Samaysundarji composed poetry in Hindi, Sindhi, and Punjabi. His poems were so poetic and popular that many followers imitated them.
  • His "Ashtalakshi" work, where he provided over ten lakh twenty-two thousand four hundred and twenty-seven interpretations of an eight-lettered sentence, showcased his immense scholarship. The text concludes by stating that Shri Samaysundarji, possessing such extraordinary talent, was a brilliant and esteemed monk. (With acknowledgments from "Nal-Davantir Ras.")

The second part of the excerpt briefly introduces Shrimad Devchandji Maharaj, another esteemed saint of the Khartargachh, known for reviving knowledge, practice, and religious principles. He is described as a jewel of this land and an accomplished saint-mahatma, scholar, poet, great ascetic, and capable literary figure. His birth is mentioned as occurring in the village of Rang, near Bikaner in Marwar, in the Lunia gotra of the Oswal caste.