Vasant Vilas Fagu

This document is the publication information and introduction to the "Vasant Vilas Phagu," an ancient work in the Gurjar-Rajasthani language. Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided text:

Book Title: Vasant Vilas Phagu (वसंत विलास फाग) Author: Madhusudan Chimanlal Modi (मधुसूदन चिमनलाल मोदी) Publisher: Rajasthan Prachyavidya Pratishthan Jodhpur (राजस्थान प्राच्यविद्या प्रतिष्ठान जोधपुर) Series: Rajasthan Puratan Granthamala (राजस्थान पुरातन ग्रन्थमाला) Volume Number: 36 (संकलित गन्थाङ्क ३६) Publication Year: Vikram Samvat 2016 / Christian Era 1960

Key Aspects and Content:

• Significance: The "Vasant Vilas Phagu" is highlighted as a significant work in Old Western Rajasthani (OWR) literature, attracting considerable scholarly interest for its literary merit, artistic value (especially in 15th-century Gujarati pictorial art), and historical age.
• Multiple Recensions: The text acknowledges the existence of different versions or recensions of the "Vasant Vilas Phagu," specifically mentioning a "Laghuvachana" (लघुवाचना) and a "Brihadavachana" (बृहद्वाचना). This edition aims to present a collated text of both, maintaining the original verse order.
• Scholarly Efforts: The publication acknowledges previous editions and studies by scholars like Prof. K.H. Dhruva and Prof. K.B. Vyāsa, noting their contributions and the ongoing interest in the work. It also mentions studies focusing on its pictorial aspects by Mr. N.C. Mehta.
• Author's Contribution (Madhusudan Chimanlal Modi):
  • New Material: Modi's edition is notable for utilizing a new manuscript of the "Laghuvachana" (smaller version) and another manuscript of the larger version from the Devasa-Pala Bhandara in Ahmedabad. This brings the total collated manuscripts to four, enhancing the critical apparatus.
  • Orthographic Analysis: A key contribution is Modi's systematic tackling of orthographic variants in OWR manuscripts, classifying them and explaining their nature. This analysis helped correctly identify the meter of "Vasant Vilas," which had been a stumbling block for previous editors.
  • Integration of Sanskrit/Prakrit Verses: The edition emphasizes that the Sanskrit and Prakrit stanzas interspersed within the OWR verses are integral to the poem's aesthetic and meaning, with each mutually supporting the other. The text is presented according to the poet's original intention for better understanding and enjoyment.
  • Elucidation of Textual and Interpretive Points: Modi aimed to clarify some complex textual and interpretive issues that were not fully addressed by previous scholars, while avoiding repetition of already covered points.
• "Phagu" Genre: The text defines a "Phagu" as a light, amorous poem describing the beauties of spring and the love affairs of young couples. It notes the prevalence of the form, especially around the Holi festival, and its adoption by Jain poets who gave it a religious turn. "Vasant Vilas" is specifically identified as secular and erotic.
• Authorship and Date: The text touches upon the ongoing debate regarding authorship and date. The General Editor, Muni Jinavijaya, suggests the "Vastupala era" (circa V.S. 1300) and hints that the word "Muñja" in the concluding stanza might punningly refer to the author's name. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged to change these initial thoughts. The possibility of a non-Jaina authorship is discussed due to the poem's secular and erotic nature, though many manuscripts are found in Jain monasteries, and Jain poets have imitated its style.
• Anthological Value: The poem is recognized for its anthological value, as the interspersed Sanskrit and Prakrit stanzas are culled from eminent poets. The author appears to have constructed the OWR verses based on this anthology.
• Metrical Form: The Phagu form is described as often based on the "Doha" meter (13+11 matras) with slight modifications (12+11 matras) to accommodate the characteristic "Yamaka" (rhyming). The poem's metrical structure is described as "gāit atāsa" (song-based verses) rather than strictly classical matra-based forms, due to its intended sung nature and the evolving phonological structure of Old Western Rajasthani.
• Phonological and Grammatical Analysis: The introduction delves into the phonological changes occurring in the language, such as the disappearance or shortening of final vowels, internal vowel changes, and the substitution of phonetic pronunciations over written forms. This explains variations in spellings and grammatical terminations.
• Manuscript Details:
  • Salapatra Edition (Dhruva): Based on a scroll manuscript, it lacks the first six verses and has variations in verse order and readability.
  • Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (B.O.R.I.) Mss. (A & B): Utilized by Vyāsa.
  • Patan Ms. (C): Found through Acharya Jinvijayaji.
  • Devasa-Pala Bhandara Ms. (newly acquired): Dated V.S. 1574, written by Punyaraja.
  • Agra Ms. (for the smaller version): Dated V.S. 1574, written by Punyaraja.
• Content Summary of the Poem (from the Textual Extracts): The extracts provide verses depicting scenes of spring: the arrival of spring, cuckoos singing, mango blossoms, fragrant breezes, young couples enjoying nature, the beauty of women, and the pangs of separation. The verses often follow a pattern of OWR stanzas interspersed with Sanskrit or Prakrit verses.

In essence, this publication presents a critically edited version of the "Vasant Vilas Phagu," enriched by new manuscript discoveries and detailed scholarly analysis, aiming to provide a definitive text and a deeper understanding of this important OWR literary work.