Vividh Kavi Virachit Sazzaya Shlokadi Sangraha - Book Summary

This document is a detailed scholarly analysis of "Vividh Kavi Virachit Sazzaya Shlokadi Sangraha" (A Collection of Sazzayas and Shlokas Composed by Various Poets), compiled by Muni Kalyankirtivijay and published by ZZ_Anusandhan. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/229484/1. The text emphasizes that this collection is for private and personal use only.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

Introduction and Content Overview (Page 1):

The book is a compilation of "sazzayas" (a type of devotional song or verse) and "shlokas" (verses) composed by various poets.
It was created for personal use by Ganivardhanji of Patan Nagar, similar to how one might collect useful stotras and self-study materials in a diary today.
The manuscript contains a total of 16 compositions.
However, the "Kshamani Sazzaya" composed by Shri Samaysundarji is not published due to the poor condition of the original manuscript's text, making editing difficult.
The remaining 15 compositions consist of 12 "sazzayas" and 3 "shlokas."
"Khima Panchavanni" is composed by Shri Labdhivijayji.
"Narishwarup Prarupan Swadhyay" is by Muni Riddhivijayji, a disciple of Pandit Meru Vijay.
The author of "Shri Balbhadra Rishi Sazzaya" is the lay poet Salig.
"Sansar Swarup Sazzaya" is by Muni Shripadmakumar.
"Hitashiksha Bol Sazzaya" is by Hans Sadhu.
"Samata Sazzaya" is by Muni Hemvijayji, a disciple of Pandit Kamalk Vijay.
"Jibh Sazzaya" is by Muni Lavanyasamy.
The author of "Nihnav Vichar Sazzaya" is not specified, only identified as "Sukavi" (a good poet).
"3-Mitra-Upanay Sazzaya" is by Vachak Naysundar, a disciple of Pandit Bhanumeru, who was a disciple of A. Vijaysundar Suri, who was a disciple of Vadtapgachhamandan A. Devsundar Suri.
The text also mentions "Shri Dasharnabhadra Rajarshi Shlok," "Shri Shantinath Shlok," and "Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath Shlok."
The five compositions "Shri Veeshthanaknam-Swadhyay," "Shravakna Pantris Guni Sazzaya," and the three mentioned "Shlokas" are by Shri Gunvijayji, a disciple of Pandit Shri Kanakvijayji. "Shlok" is equated to "Salok."
The author of "Shri Siddh Swarup Swadhyay" is identified by the concluding phrase "Sakal Yogisaro" in the "sazzaya" as Shri Sakalchandji Upadhyay.

Manuscript Details and Special Mentions (Page 2):

This manuscript was obtained from the collection of the compiler's revered Guru.
While the manuscript doesn't specify the writing year, the handwriting suggests it was written around the 18th century.
The script is described as beautiful, and the writing is clear and pure.
Special features:
- The "Shri Shantinath Bhagwan Shlok" mentions the cities of Ratanpur, Salakhanpur, and Dahiouda.
- The "Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath Shlok" praises Goddess Saraswati, referring to her by various names such as Tripura, Tottala, Bali, Kali, Mahakali, Kalagni, Harasiddhi, Amba, Siddhi, and Buddhi. It also mentions her abodes as Sopara-Patan and Ajjhari village.

Detailed Summaries of Compositions (Pages 2-35):

The document then proceeds to provide the Gujarati text and detailed content of several "sazzayas" and "shlokas":

Khima Panchavanni (A collection of fifty verses on forgiveness) by Shri Labdhivijay: This composition emphasizes the importance of forgiveness (Kshama) and contrasts it with anger (Krodh), illustrating with numerous examples from Jain lore of how forgiveness leads to liberation and anger to downfall. It highlights figures like Bharata, Bahubali, Prasannachandra Rishi, Arjuna Mali, Khandak Suri, Amarabhuti, and others.
Narishwarup Prarupan Swadhyay (Self-study on the nature of women) by Muni Riddhivijay: This "sazzaya" describes the worldly nature and potential pitfalls associated with women, emphasizing the fleeting nature of worldly attachments and the importance of focusing on the Dharma. It uses strong language to describe worldly allurements.
Shri Balbhadra Rishi Sazzaya by Salig: This "sazzaya" narrates the story of Shri Balbhadra Rishi, brother of Krishna. It describes his suffering after being accidentally shot by Jara Kumar, his remorse, and his eventual renunciation and attainment of liberation. It also touches upon the concept of karma.
Sansar Swarup Sazzaya by Muni Shripadmakumar: This "sazzaya" discusses the nature of the cycle of worldly existence (Sansar), emphasizing the impermanence of worldly possessions and relationships, and urging the reader to focus on Jain Dharma and the attainment of liberation.
Hitashiksha Bol Sazzaya by Hans Sadhu: This composition offers moral and ethical teachings, emphasizing the importance of a guru, modesty (Lajja), avoiding hypocrisy and false prestige, and focusing on true spiritual practice. It warns against the deceptive nature of unrighteous people in the Kali Yuga.
Samata Sazzaya by Muni Hemvijay: This "sazzaya" extols the virtue of equanimity (Samata) and warns against criticism and fault-finding of others. It highlights that such negative actions are detrimental to one's own spiritual progress.
Jibh Sazzaya by Muni Lavanyasamy: This "sazzaya" addresses the tongue (Jibh), criticizing its role in indulging in unpleasant tastes and failing to chant the names of the Tirthankaras. It urges the tongue to engage in devotion to the Jinendra.
Nihnav Vichar Sazzaya: This "sazzaya" discusses the concept of "Nihnavas" (schisms or heresies) in Jainism, detailing the lineages and timelines of various individuals who deviated from the established Jain principles. It mentions figures like Jamali, Tivragupta, Subuddhi, Kalingasuri, and others, tracing the historical spread of deviations.
3-Mitra-Upanay Sazzaya by Vachak Naysundar: This "sazzaya" presents a parable about three types of friends: the "Eternal Friend" (Nitya Mitra), the "Occasional Friend" (Parva Mitra), and the "Greeting Friend" (Juhar Mitra). It illustrates how true friendship is tested during times of adversity, with only the "Greeting Friend" proving to be genuinely helpful and ultimately leading to spiritual liberation.
Shri Dasharnabhadra Rajarshi Shlok by Shri Gunvijay: This "shlok" narrates the story of King Dasharnabhadra, who, after displaying excessive pride, was humbled by Indra. He then renounced his worldly life and attained Keval Gyan (omniscience), eventually achieving liberation.
Shri Shantinath Shlok by Shri Gunvijay: This "shlok" describes Lord Shantinath, the 16th Tirthankara, and mentions various cities associated with him, including Hastinapur, Ratanpur, Salakhanpur, and Dahiouda. It highlights his qualities and the spiritual benefits of worshipping him.
Shri Shankheshwar Parshvanath Stavan by Shri Gunvijay: This "shlok" is a hymn praising Lord Parshvanath of Shankheshwar. It describes Goddess Saraswati and praises the grandeur of the Shankheshwar temple and the devotion of its pilgrims. It emphasizes the importance of worshipping the Tirthankaras and avoiding devotion to other deities.
Shri Veeshthanaknam-Swadhyay by Shri Gunvijay: This "sazzaya" lists and explains the meaning of the "Twenty Virtues" or "Twenty Places of Reverence" in Jainism, starting from Arihant and ending with the Tirth.
Shravakna Pantris Guni Sazzaya by Shri Gunvijay: This "sazzaya" enumerates thirty-five virtues of a Jain lay follower (Shravak), covering aspects like adherence to Dharma, ethical conduct, respect for elders, self-control, and proper behaviour.
Siddh Swarup Swadhyay: This "sazzaya" describes the nature of the liberated soul (Siddha), highlighting its formless, pure, and eternal state, free from karma and worldly attachments. It is described as the ultimate yogi.

Glossary of Difficult Words (Pages 35-38):

The document concludes with a glossary of difficult or technical terms used in the various compositions, providing their meanings in Gujarati.

In essence, this compilation offers a rich collection of Jain devotional literature, covering themes of ethics, philosophy, history, and the path to liberation, composed by various esteemed poets within the Jain tradition.