Vignptika Sangraha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vignptika Sangraha" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Vignptika Sangraha (विज्ञप्तिका संग्रह) Author: Muni Kalyankirtivijay (सं. मुनि कल्याणकीर्तिविजय) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan

Overview:

"Vignptika Sangraha" is a collection of six "Vijnaptis" (prayers or eulogies) written in Prakrit and Apabhramsha languages. These Vijnaptis are characterized by beautiful, elaborate adjectives, profound meaning, and skillful composition in poetic meters with elegant use of words and literary devices, showcasing the author's poetic talent.

Content Breakdown of Each Vijnapti:

First Vijnapti: Muni Jnansagar Suri
- Subject: Revered Muni Jnansagar Suri, disciple of Acharya Somasundar Suri and guru of Devsundar Suri.
- Content: Describes the Acharya's various qualities and physical characteristics, including his knowledge (gyan), perception (darshan), conduct (charitra), ability to guide people (janpratibodh), victory over passions (mohajay), austerity (tap), and physical attributes.
- Fruit of Praise: The tenth verse states that those who praise his qualities will swiftly attain the bliss of liberation (moksha).
- Structure: The first nine verses are in the Sragvini meter (20 matras, samachatuspadi). The final verse is in the well-known Dvipada Ghaṭṭa meter of Apabhramsha literature (32 matras with caesura at 10-8-14).
Second Vijnapti: Acharya Kulamandanasuri
- Subject: Acharya Kulamandanasuri, radiant like the sun in the vast sky of the Vishal Tapgachha.
- Content: Similar to the first, it describes his physical characteristics and various virtues like refuting false doctrines (kumatbhed), delivering excellent sermons (uttamdharmadeshna), mastery of Jinagam (jinagamaparagamita), adherence to committees (samiti), observance of restraints (guptipalan), and forgiveness (kshama).
- Fruit of Praise: The praise of his qualities leads to the bliss of liberation (mokshasukh).
- Structure: Composed of eight verses in the Rola meter (24 matras, samachatuspadi).
Third Vijnapti: Acharya Gunaratnasuri
- Subject: Acharya Gunaratnasuri, the adornment of the pure Tapgachha, like the waters of the Ganges. He is also the author of works like Kriyaratnasamuchchaya and a commentary on Shad-darshana-samuchchaya.
- Content: The author highlights his proficiency in logic (tarkashastra), pure conduct (shuddhsanyam), self-control (jitendriyatva), destruction of karma (karmavidaran), dispelling doubts (sanshay chhedan), severe austerities (ugratap), and adherence to Jinendra's commands (jinajnyapalan), along with his bodily beauty.
- Fruit of Praise: The praise of his qualities leads to the bliss of heaven followed by liberation (swargasukhpuraḥpurnu mokshasukh).
- Structure: All ten verses are in the Sragvini meter (20 matras, samachatuspadi).
Fourth Vijnapti: Mahattara Shri Charitruchula
- Subject: Mahattara (senior female ascetic) Shri Charitruchula. This is a rare eulogy of a female ascetic by a male scholar, with no other information available about her.
- Content: Beautifully describes her qualities like right faith (samyaktva), conduct (charitra), fame (yash), obedience to guru (gurvajnyapalan), reverence (jayanā), equanimity (samata), knowledge of scriptures (siddhantagyan), fearlessness (abhaydan), difficult austerities (dushkartap), victory over passions (kashayajay), and detachment (vairagya).
- Fruit of Praise: The eulogy's reward is stated as attaining excellent fortune (uttamlakshmi).
- Structure: Consists of eight verses in the Rola meter (24 matras, samachatuspadi).
Fifth Vijnapti: Chaturmukh Shri Mahavir Swami
- Subject: Chaturmukh Shri Mahavir Swami. The location of this Chaturmukh shrine is not mentioned.
- Content: Describes Lord Mahavir's physical characteristics and virtues like dispelling fear (bhaynash), saving from the cycle of rebirth (samsartarakta), victory over delusion (mohajay), and being worshipped by gods and humans (sura-nar-pujyata), using eloquent and emotional language.
- Fruit of Praise: The final verse indicates that the fruit of praising his qualities is attaining a superior divine status (uttamdevapana).
- Structure: The first ten verses are in the Pajjhatika meter (16 matras, samachatuspadi, with 'jamana' at the end of each line). The last verse is in the 32-matra Dvipada Ghaṭṭa meter with caesura at 10-8-14.
Sixth Vijnapti: Shri Simandhar Swami Bhagwan
- Subject: The currently living Tirthankar, Lord Simandhar Swami.
- Content: Similar to the previous ones, it describes his virtues such as fulfilling desires (manovanchhitdayakta), being the world teacher (jagadguru), and his physical attributes, all in pleasing verses.
- Fruit of Praise: The praise of his virtues leads to the bliss of liberation (shivasukh).
- Structure: Composed in the Rola meter (24 matras, samachatuspadi), with the final verse in the 32-matra Dvipada Ghaṭṭa meter with caesura at 10-8-14.

Author Attribution:

The verses for the fifth and sixth Vijnaptis are attributed to Pandit Shri Dharmashekhar Gani in the pushpika (colophon).
Although no names are mentioned for the other four Vijnaptis, the language and composition style strongly suggest that Pandit Shri Dharmashekhar Gani is the author of all six Vijnaptis.

Manuscript Details:

This collection was compiled from a copy obtained from a jnana bhandar (library) in a specific region of Bihar.
Based on the condition of the manuscript, its script, and variations, it is estimated that the writing dates back to the 15th century CE.
The script is described as very beautiful and clear.
Each page has 17 lines, with the last page having 9 lines.

Overall Significance:

"Vignptika Sangraha" is a significant work of Jain literature, preserving valuable prayers in Prakrit and Apabhramsha, composed by a learned scholar, Pandit Shri Dharmashekhar Gani. The collection highlights the virtues of prominent Jain Acharyas and Tirthankaras, offering spiritual guidance and inspiration.