Udayratnagani

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text in English, focusing on the figures discussed:

This document, drawn from the "Shramana Bhagwanto" series, primarily discusses two prominent Jain ascetics: Upadhyay Shri Udayratnagani and Upadhyay Shri Dhanvijayji Maharaj.

I. Upadhyay Shri Udayratnagani

• Lineage and Birth: Udayratnagani was a disciple of Upalabdhiratna, who was a disciple of Shri Heeravijaysuri of the Tapan Shakha, and Udayratnagani himself was a disciple of Upadhyay Shivratnagani. He was born in Kheda in the 18th century (Vikram era). His father was Vardhman, and his mother was Manbai. His birth name was Uttamchand. His elder brother, Harkhchand, also took initiation and was named Harshratna.
• Character and Renunciation: He was a great renunciate (tyagi), ascetic (tapasvi), and self-controlled (sanyami).
• Education and Recognition: He was educated by Mahopadhyaya Siddhiratna Gani and succeeded him as Mahopadhyaya. He was a renowned poet (kavi).
• Literary Contributions: He authored a vast and popular body of Gujarati poetry, including various types of compositions like ras (narrative poems), stavan (devotional hymns), sajhays (songs of devotion/moral instruction), saloks (verses), chhand (meters), and prabhatiya (morning hymns).
• Miraculous Incidents:
  • During a visit to Shankheshwar Parshvanath, with a vow to eat only after seeing the deity, the temple doors remained closed. His heartfelt prayers caused the doors to open automatically.
  • He meditated for four months at the confluence of three rivers near Kheda (Mesh, Vatrak, and Khari). This meditation resulted in the formation of an island-like landmass at the site, leading 500 households from Kheda, including Bhavsar and Vaishnav communities, to embrace Jainism.
• Controversy and Reconciliation: In 1759 Vikram Samvat, he composed a poem titled "Sthulibhadra Navras" with erotic sentiment (shringar ras). His guru deemed this inappropriate and advised against such compositions, or it is said he was excommunicated from the community for it. Following this, he decided to compose poetry for the welfare of the people. His Brahma-charya ni Nav Vad (Nine Steps of Celibacy) sajhay, composed in 1763 Vikram Samvat in Khambhat, serves as evidence of this shift. It is believed that after this, he was readmitted into the community.
• Notable Works: The text lists 31 specific poetic works by Upadhyay Udayratnagani, including:
  • Shri Jambuswami Ras
  • Ashtaprakari Puja
  • Sthulibhadra Ras Navras
  • Shankheshwar Parshvanath Saloke
  • Raja Mahipati – Mantri Mati Sagar Ras
  • Raja Singh (Navkar) Ras
  • Brahmacharya ni Nav Vad – Sajhay
  • Bar Vrat ne Ras
  • Malayasundari Ras (Vinodvilas)
  • Yashodhar Ras
  • Lilavati – Sumativilas Ras
  • Dharmabuddhi – Papabuddhi Ras
  • Bhuvanbhanu Kevali (Raslahari) Ras
  • Suvidhinath Stavan
  • Neminath Saloke
  • Shalibhadra Saloke
  • Bharat-Bahubali Saloke
  • Shatrunjay-Mandan Shri Rishabhdev Stavan
  • Bhattarak Bhavratnasuri Parampara Ras
  • Stavan-Chevashi
  • Dhadhanmundi ni Sajhay
  • Bhaba Parshvanath Stavan
  • Raja Suryayasha (Bharatputra) ne Ras
  • Vardatt-Gunamajari Ras
  • Damannak-Ras
  • Sudarshan Sheth ne Ras
  • Gandhar Mandan Mahavir Stavan
  • Vimal Mehata ne Saloke
  • Neminathraimat Barmasa
  • Harivansh (Ratnakar) Ras
  • Shri Harshratna Gani Sajhay He also composed numerous hymns for Shatrunjay pilgrimage, morning hymns, verses, and other scattered works. His poetry is described as beautiful, insightful, emotionally resonant, and popular.

II. Upadhyay Shri Dhanvijayji Maharaj

• Mundane Name and Initiation: His worldly name was Dhanji. He took initiation in 1931 Vikram Samvat under Shri Kalyanvijayji, who was a disciple of Shri Vijayhirsuri. Dhanvijayji's wife and his three sons (Gajganji, Kamal, and Vimal) also took initiation, with his sons becoming disciples of his own disciples and being named Gunvijay, Kunvarvijay, and Vimalvijay, respectively.
• Literary and Scholarly Contributions:
  • In 1954 Vikram Samvat, he wrote "Hemavyakaran Bravavrutti Deepika" for his disciple Gunvijay in Ahmedabad.
  • In 1950 Vikram Samvat, he composed "Harinshreshan Ras".
  • He discovered a Deepika (commentary) on Kapasutra by Shri andhvijay Gani, a disciple of Shri Vijaysensuri, which was composed in 1974 Vikram Samvat.
  • In 1981 Vikram Samvat, he composed a commentary on the Loknalikasutra.
  • He wrote an explanatory commentary (adhini tikka) on Muni Sundarsuri's "Adhyatm Kalpak".
  • In Phagun month of 16XX Vikram Samvat, he composed 108 didactic sayings titled "Arhanmalika-Abhashatak Amarnam Dharmopadeshaleshni" in Usmanpura, near Rajnagar.
  • In 1700 Vikram Samvat, he wrote a "Balabodh" (elementary explanation) on the karmic text called Saptatika.
• Association with Akbar and Charitable Acts: Shri Vijayhirsuri was bestowed the title "Jagatguru" (Guru of the World) by Emperor Akbar in 1640 Vikram Samvat. During this time, prisoners were released, and Dhanvijayji accompanied the Suri. They went to Kamar Talav and released birds that were caged there. Dhanvijayji, along with the Suri, also liberated Jain monasteries in Merta and resumed the practice of playing music that had been prohibited.
• Character: Shri Dhanvijayji Upadhyay was a great renunciate (tyagi), detached (vairagi), and highly learned scholar (vidvadarya).

The document concludes by stating that the information is compiled based on the "History of Jain Literature."