Valmiki Ramayanam Part 02 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, based on the given book title, author, publisher, and catalog link, focusing on the content from the provided pages:

Book Title: Valmiki Ramayanam Part 02 Author(s): Amar Publication Publisher: Amar Publication Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/020792/1

Overall Summary:

This text is Volume 2 of the Valmiki Ramayana, published by Amar Publication. It appears to be a scholarly edition, as indicated by the inclusion of various commentaries and annotations like "Shri Govindarajiya-Ramanujiya-Tanishloki-Maheshwarteerthokyakhyam-Pakhya-Chatushtayalankritam-Munimavaprakashika-Satyatirtheeyadi-Vyaspots-Tippani-Samchalitancha". The provided pages (1-10) are primarily introductory and devotional in nature, setting the stage for the "Ayodhya Kanda" (the second book or canto of the Ramayana).

Detailed Summary of Provided Pages (1-10):

Pages 1-2: Devotional Obeisance and Sponsorship: These pages are dedicated to devotional salutations ("Namah") to prominent figures in Jainism, including Lord Mahavir, Lord Gautam, Acharya Sudharma, and esteemed Acharyas Kailassagar Surishwarji and Padmasagar Surishwarji. This strongly suggests the publication is from a Jain institution, likely the Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra in Gujarat, as indicated by the website and contact information. The text is explicitly marked as "For Private And Personal Use Only."
Page 3: Title Page of Commentary: This page displays the title "Shrimadvalmikiramayanam" (The Valmiki Ramayana) and lists the extensive commentaries it is adorned with. The inclusion of names like Govindarajiya, Ramanujiya, Tanishloki, Maheshwarteerthiya, Munimavaprakashika, and Satyatirtheeya highlights the depth of scholarship involved in this edition.
Page 4: List of Puranas: This page presents a list of eighteen Mahapuranas, starting with Brahma Purana and ending with Vishnu Dharmottara Purana. It also lists additional Puranas like Harivansha Purana, Devi Bhagavata, Vasuki Purana, and others. This section likely serves to contextualize the Ramayana within the broader Hindu scriptural tradition, even though the publication originates from a Jain institution. It's possible this list is part of a larger introduction or a comparative study.
Page 5: Title Page of Volume 2: This is the title page for the second part of the Valmiki Ramayana, specifically indicating "Ayodhya Kanda" (the Ayodhya Canto). It reiterates the title and the extensive commentaries. "AMAR PUBLICATION VARANASI (INDIA)" is clearly indicated as the publisher.
Page 6: Publication and Printing Information: This page provides the price (₹ 500.00), publisher's name and location (Ms. Amar Publication, Satti Chuutra, Varanasi, U.P.), and printer's details (Jain Amar Printing Press, Delhi-7). The "For Private And Personal Use Only" disclaimer is repeated.
Page 7: Commencement of Ayodhya Kanda: This page marks the formal beginning of the Ayodhya Kanda section of the Ramayana. It states, "Atha Shrimadvalmikiramayane Ayodhyakandham" (Now begins the Ayodhya Canto of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana) and mentions the commentaries again.
Page 8: Chapter Title and Verse Number: This page shows "Ayodhyakandham || 2 ||" indicating that this is the second canto and likely the second section within a larger compilation. The presence of "Chhlla" and "Kal" might refer to specific sections or divisions within the canto, though their exact meaning isn't clear from these initial pages.
Pages 9-10: Introduction to the Commentary and Early Verses:
- Page 9: Begins with a traditional invocation and then introduces the commentary by Govindarya, who is described as intelligent and knowledgeable. The text discusses the concept of the Supreme Being (Vishnu) as the cause of the universe, its incompreiansible glory, and the inferiority of others compared to Him. It then transitions to the second canto, which aims to establish the Lord's (Vishnu's) accessibility and auspiciousness, contrasting with the pervasiveness mentioned earlier. The text mentions that in the first canto, Lakshmi yoga was shown, while in this second canto, Yoga with Bhumi is displayed. It also notes the contrasting concepts of 'paramatva' (transcendence) in the first canto and 'saulabhya' (accessibility) in the second. The verses Gatchata Matulakulm Bharatena Tadananah Shatrughno Nityashatrughno Neetaha Pritipuraskritah (1) and Taya Ramayanapurushanam Mahakulaprasutvam Mahagurukripalabdhanurvaidarahasyatvatatsamvadbhutatadakatatakatkadinyarasaharadhanubhangavaishnavachapaparigrahaprabhrti Gunah Sahadharmachariniv yogah saprapancha darshitaḥ. Atha tanuṣṭhitāḥ pitṛvacanaparipālanādisāmānyadharmāḥ bhagavachchheṣatvapāratantryabhāgavatābhimānanisṭhā rūpaviśeṣadharmāśca pratipadyante. Pūrvakānde lakṣmīyogo darśitaḥ. Atra bhūmiyōgaḥ pradarśita ityapi truvatē. Pūrva paratva muktam atra saulabhyamityapyāhuḥ.. Pūrva lakṣmīviśiṣṭam prāpyasvarūpamuktam prāptṛrūpajīvasvarūpamatra nirūpyate. Tatra prathamatiharahsyatayāvashyavijñātavyā laghūpādanāṁ bhāgavatābhimānanisṭhāṁ śatrunuṣṭhāna mukhena darśayati gachateti. Gachchhata vartanirdēśen shatrughnagamananubharatagamane kaalakalatvagadasi vasanadivat tasy tadēkatvaavagamadādivasanadivattasya tadeka suggests a narrative about Shatrughna accompanying Bharata to his maternal uncle's house, highlighting devotional submission.
Page 10: Detailed Explanation of the Opening Verse: This page begins the detailed commentary on the opening verse, explaining the meaning of "matulakulam" (maternal uncle's house), "anaghah" (sinless), and "nityashatrughnaḥ" (one who conquers eternal enemies like lust). It delves into the interpretation of Shatrughna's character as someone who controls his senses and his devotion to Rama, even in the context of his journey with Bharata. The commentary highlights the concept of 'parātantrya' (dependence) and 'bhāgavata' (devotee) through Shatrughna's actions and motivations.

Key Themes and Elements Observed:

Jain Publication: The strong affiliation with the Jain tradition is evident from the name of the Kendra and the repeated emphasis on "Jain Education International."
Scholarly Edition: The extensive listing of commentaries indicates a focus on academic and detailed study of the Ramayana.
Devotional Focus: The initial pages are dedicated to Jain devotional practices, suggesting a dual purpose of presenting the text within its Jain editorial context.
Introduction to Ayodhya Kanda: The content clearly marks the beginning of the Ayodhya Kanda, which deals with events in Ayodhya during Rama's life.
Commentary on Verses: The beginning of a detailed explanation of the Ramayana verses indicates the nature of this publication as more than just a text reproduction.
Emphasis on Devotion and Virtue: The initial commentary focuses on interpreting verses in relation to devotion, sinlessness, and conquering internal enemies, which are central themes in spiritual literature.

This summary provides a foundational understanding of the provided pages, highlighting their devotional and introductory nature, the scholarly approach to the text, and its Jain provenance.