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Yatidincharya Vruttini Gaveshana

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Yatidincharya Vruttini Gaveshana

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Yatidincharya Vruttini Gaveshana" by Pradyumnasuri, based on the given pages:

Book Title: Yatidincharya Vruttini Gaveshana (Research on the Commentary of Yatidincharya) Author: Pt. Pradyumnavijayagani (implied as the author of the research/publication) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan (implied from catalog link)

Overall Goal of the Text:

This text is a scholarly research paper or article, likely an introduction or preface to a scholarly publication, focusing on the Yatidincharya, a Jain text describing the daily conduct of ascetics (Yatis). The primary objective is to research, compare, and prepare for the publication of the Yatidincharya composed by Shrimad Devsuriji, highlighting its significance and the challenges faced in its preparation.

Key Points and Content Breakdown:

  1. Introduction to Yatidincharya Texts:

    • The text begins by acknowledging the existence of two famous works titled 'Yatidincharya':
      • One by Shrimad Devsuriji.
      • One by Shrimad Bhavdevsuriji.
    • The Yatidincharya by Shrimad Bhavdevsuriji, along with its commentary by Shrimad Matisagarsuriji, has already been edited and published by Pujyapada Sagarji Maharaj.
    • The Yatidincharya by Shrimad Devsuriji is currently unpublished.
    • A previous attempt to publish the Devsuriji version by Muni Jinvijay was halted due to printing issues and the inability to write an introduction.

  2. The Importance of Shrimad Devsuriji's Yatidincharya and its Commentary:

    • The current research focuses on editing the Yatidincharya by Shrimad Devsuriji.
    • Significant materials for this edition have been found in various libraries.
    • The oldest manuscript discovered is a palm-leaf manuscript from the collection of Shri Veer Vijay Shastri, dating back to Vikram Samvat 1309 (1252 AD). This manuscript is considered pure and contains 389 verses.
    • In contrast, the edition compiled by Shri Jinvijay contained only 336 verses. While Jinvijay found additional verses in other manuscripts, he chose to accept one particular recension and noted others in footnotes. The current research prioritizes the palm-leaf manuscript as its primary basis.
    • Other paper manuscripts from the 17th century have also been found. One manuscript from the collection of a Samvegi's Upaashray has an inscription indicating it was written by Munimanvijay in Vikram Samvat 1644 (1587 AD) based on the recitation of Jagadguru Shri Hiravijaysuriji.
    • Verse counts in the found manuscripts vary.

  3. Comparison with Bhavdevsuriji's Work:

    • Bhavdevsuriji's Yatidincharya has only 154 verses.
    • Pujya Sagarji Maharaj chose to publish Bhavdevsuriji's shorter work for those with brief interests, noting that Devsuriji's work is larger and older.

  4. Analysis of Devsuriji's Yatidincharya and its Commentary:

    • The initial and final verses of Devsuriji's Yatidincharya are provided (Verse 1 and Verse 689).
    • The commentary on Devsuriji's work is by Shrimad Matisagarsuri. His likely period of activity is estimated to be the 18th century, and no earlier than the 17th century.
    • Matisagarsuri's commentary on Bhavdevsuriji's work explicitly states that Bhavdevsuriji composed the Yatidincharya, and Matisagar found it easy to write the commentary.
    • Crucially, Matisagarsuri's name is not found in the beginning or end of Devsuriji's Yatidincharya. However, library catalogs sometimes refer to him as "Commentator Matisagarsuri."
    • The commentary is described as having a loose structure and seems like a first attempt by a novice.
    • A significant observation is that in all available manuscripts of Matisagar's commentary, the commentary on verses 64 to 69 is missing, and in some places, the commentary is incomplete.
    • Surprisingly, all discovered manuscripts of this commentary appear to be written by the same scribe, with consistent page numbering, paper size, quality, and handwriting. The incompletion points in the commentary are also consistent across these manuscripts.

  5. A Glimmer of Hope and the Search for an Unknown Commentary:

    • There is a hopeful discovery: on the first page of a manuscript of the Devsuriji Yatidincharya from Delana Upaashray, in fine print, there is writing that, upon close examination, appears to be a draft of the commentary on the first verse of Devsuriji's Yatidincharya.
    • The style of this draft suggests it could be a commentary that does justice to the grandeur of Devsuriji's work.
    • Despite extensive searching in many libraries, this specific commentary has not been found so far.
    • The author requests any scholar who encounters such a commentary to inform them.

  6. Current Status and Future Plans:

    • The editing of the original text (Devsuriji's Yatidincharya) and Matisagar's commentary is complete.
    • However, the publication is being held back in the hope that this more scholarly commentary might be found, in which case it would be prioritized for publication.
    • To allow scholars to assess the styles, the beginning portions of both commentaries (Matisagar's and the potential unknown commentary) are being provided.

  7. Inclusion of Sample Text (Unknown Commentary):

    • Page 3 and 4 provide a detailed transcription of the beginning of the "Unknown Commentary," which discusses the concept of "Mangala" (auspiciousness) in detail, categorizing it into four types: Nama (name), Sthapana (establishment/representation), Dravya (substance), and Bhava (inner state). It then analyzes the initial verse of Devsuriji's Yatidincharya in relation to these concepts and the idea of auspicious karma. The commentary explains how the Sun's continuous work serves as an analogy for the ascetic's ceaseless dedication to beneficial actions.

  8. Inclusion of Sample Text (Matisagar's Commentary):

    • Page 4 and 5 provide the beginning of Matisagar's commentary, which starts with invocations to the Arhants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Vacakas (teachers), and Sadhus. It then states the intention to write the commentary on Yatidincharya with the grace of the guru. The commentary proceeds to analyze the first verse, identifying "Shubha Karma" (auspicious karma) as the subject that "conquers" or triumphs. It defines "Shubha Karma" as "good natured" or "well-formed" (Nimmia-samma), attributing its achievement to the accumulation of virtues and good deeds. The text then lists a comprehensive set of 42 types of "punya prakrutis" (karma types that lead to positive rebirths and experiences), such as high lineage, celestial birth, perfect bodies, pleasant senses, etc., explaining how these are accumulated. The verse is interpreted as the sun shining without rest, symbolizing the perpetual nature of beneficial actions undertaken by ascetics.

In Essence:

The "Yatidincharya Vruttini Gaveshana" is a research endeavor dedicated to uncovering and publishing the ancient Jain text "Yatidincharya" by Shrimad Devsuriji. It critically examines the existing materials, compares them with a previously published version, and highlights the presence of a potentially significant but elusive commentary. The research emphasizes the textual history and scholarly challenges, showcasing a commitment to accuracy and depth in the study of Jain monastic literature.