Shadbhashamay Rushabh Prabhu Stava - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shadbhashamay Rushabh Prabhu Stava" by Kalyankirtivijay, based on the provided pages:

The "Shadbhashamay Shri Rishabh Prabhu Stava" is a beautiful devotional composition of 40 verses dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev. Its unique characteristic lies in its multi-lingual nature, employing a total of eight languages. The author, Muni Kalyankirtivijay, has showcased his profound understanding of various languages, literary devices, and grammar to create a highly expressive eulogy for Lord Rishabhdev.

The verses are structured in a specific order across these languages:

Sanskrit: Verses 1-4
Prakrit: Verses 5-8
Magadhi: Verses 9-12
Paishachiki: Verses 13-16
Chulika Paishachiki: Verses 17-20
Shouraseni: Verses 21-24
Samasamskrita-Prakrit: Verses 25-28
Apabhramsha: Verses 29-37

A particularly remarkable verse is Verse 38, composed in all eight languages. In this verse, each language used for a particular line conveys a distinct meaning, showcasing the poet's exceptional talent and mastery. The structure of this verse is as follows:

First line: Sanskrit, Samasamskrita-Prakrit
Second line: Paishachiki, Chulika Paishachiki
Third line: Magadhi, Shouraseni
Fourth line: Apabhramsha

Verse 39 is notable for its Chakbandha (circular) composition in Sanskrit. Within this intricate structure, the author has subtly embedded his own name. This verse also uses the Shardulavikridita meter.

Verse 40 serves as the concluding verse, where the author highlights the significance of the entire Stava, using the Malini meter.

The composition is praised for the author's skillful application of poetic abilities, knowledge of the science of rhetoric (Alankara Shastra), and grammatical principles. The author demonstrates his expertise, particularly in the Prakrit languages (Magadhi, Paishachiki, Chulika Paishachiki, Shouraseni, and Apabhramsha), by using grammatical Utsargas (general rules) and Apavadas (exceptions) as examples within the verses. Specific instances cited include:

In Magadhi (Verse 10), the transformation of 'ksha' to 'kshka' (क) and then to 'ksha' in roots like preksha and chakshu is shown.
In Shouraseni (Verse 22), the post-ktva suffix transformation in verbs like kru and gam to dadu is illustrated.

The author has also adeptly incorporated rhetorical devices typically used for describing Shringara (romance) or Veera (heroism) into this devotional context, enriching the Bhakti Rasa (devotional sentiment). These include Arthantaranyas (meaningful exposition), Nidarshana (example), Utpreksha (simile of possibility), Upama (simile), Virodhabhasa (paradox), Vyajastuti (praise by indirect means) among others. Similarly, various word ornaments like Shlesha (pun), Anupras (alliteration), and Chakbandha have been utilized.

Author's Identity: The author's name is subtly embedded in the fourth line of Verse 39 with the word "Ratnajnana" (रत्नाज्ञान), leading to the inference that the poet's name is likely Gyanaratna. It is also deduced that this Muni Gyanaratna belongs to the Khartargachchha tradition, given that other works by Khartargachchha monks are also present in the manuscript.

Avachurni (Commentary): The text includes an Avachurni (commentary) in Sanskrit that provides simple meanings for the difficult words in the Stava, making it easier to understand the verses. It also references relevant grammatical sutras. However, the commentary omits some challenging passages, leaving them ambiguous.

Avachurnikar (Commentator): The commentator of this Avachurni is identified as Muni Mati Vijay of the Tapagachchha tradition, as indicated by the Pushpika at the end.

Manuscript Description: The manuscript's origin (knowledge repository) is unknown. It is a Panchapathi manuscript, with the Stava in the center and the commentary on all four sides. Besides the Shri Rishabh Prabhu Stava, the manuscript also contains three other works:

Shri Neminath Kriyagupta Stava by Shri Jinaprabh Suri.
Yamaka-bound Shri Parshwajin Stava by Padmanandi Muni.
Yamaka-bound Shri Parshwajin Stava by Shri Somasundar (Suri). The latter two Parshwajin Stavas also have an Avachurni and Vritti.

The manuscript's script is clear and legible, but there are some inaccuracies in the writing. The Avachurni for the Parshwajin Stava by Padmanandi Muni mentions its composition year as 1779, suggesting the manuscript's transcription date to be in the 18th century.