Yayavara - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Yayavara" by Sukhlal Sanghavi, based on the provided PDF excerpt:

Book Title: Yayavara Author: Sukhlal Sanghavi Publisher: Z_Darshan_ane_Chintan_Part_2_004635.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249260/1

This essay, "Yayavara," by Sukhlal Sanghavi, discusses the meaning and usage of the Sanskrit word "Yayavara." Sanghavi begins by referencing a previous article in the "Shrirang" magazine titled "Our Yayavara Birds," where the term "Yayavara" was used for "Migrant Birds." This usage resonated with Sanghavi, prompting him to explore the word's origins and deeper meanings.

Etymology and Root Meaning:

Sanghavi traces the word "Yayavara" back to the Sanskrit root "ya," which means "to go" or "to move."
He points out that the Gujarati and Hindi word "ja" (meaning "go") also derives from this root.
In everyday language, the repetition of "ja" (e.g., "ja ja kare chhe" in Gujarati) signifies someone who walks or moves frequently. Similarly, the Sanskrit form "yayāti" conveys this sense of repeated movement.
The suffix "vara" added to "yaya" (implying habit or nature) forms "Yayavara." Thus, the literal meaning of "Yayavara" is someone who goes many times or has the nature of going and coming.

Traditional and Spiritual Meanings in Indian Literature:

Sanghavi explains that in Indian literature, "Yayavara" carries a specific and enriched meaning beyond its literal derivation. It encompasses both the etymological sense and a traditional, established meaning.
Traditionally, a "Yayavara" was someone who did not remain bound to a single place, much like a parivrajaka (a wandering ascetic). They wandered freely and detachedly.
The Mahabharata mentions groups or "ganas" of "Yayavaras," indicating they were not isolated individuals but often formed communities or orders. The Mahabharata also identifies the sage Jaratkaru as the best among the "Yayavaras."
This suggests that, similar to the Buddhist Sangha of monks or the Tapas Sangha (assemblies of ascetics), there was also a "Yayavara Sangha" (assembly of Yayavaras) in India.

The Ideal of Non-Possession (Aparigraha):

Sanghavi emphasizes that being called a "Yayavara" was not merely due to wandering; it also implied specific virtuous qualities. The most significant of these was non-possession (aparigraha).
The Bhagavata Purana describes four modes of livelihood or conduct for Brahmins: shalin (dwelling and cultivating), yayavara (wandering for alms), shila (living according to scriptures), and unchan (gleaning grain).
The commentator Sridhara defines the "Yayavara" way of life as always begging for grain, without prior storage. A Brahmin who consistently sought alms for their needs, without accumulating anything, was considered to be following the "Yayavara" way of life.
At its core, this way of life was driven by the noble intention of non-possession.

Yayavara as a Class of Ascetics:

Thus, "Yayavara" represented a particular class or category among the many saints and ascetics in ancient India who practiced non-possession. Sanghavi notes that this class, though perhaps in a very limited form, is not entirely extinct even today.

Modern Application and Appreciation:

Sanghavi acknowledges the linguistic expertise of the grammarian Panini in establishing the word "Yayavara." He finds it used in texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Smriti, and Bhagavata.
He expresses his admiration for the person who used the word "Yayavara" for "migratory birds," considering it a highly skillful and appropriate choice.
He believes that by applying "Yayavara" to birds that undertake long, detached journeys of thousands of miles from distant regions of Europe and North Asia to Gujarat and other parts of India, the original essence of the term – encompassing wandering and non-possession – is preserved.
Sanghavi credits Shri Harinarayan Acharya, a nature enthusiast, for potentially being the first to use "Yayavara" for migratory birds, suggesting this reflects his refined, scholarly thinking.

In essence, Sukhlal Sanghavi's "Yayavara" is a thoughtful exploration of a Sanskrit term that, while literally meaning "one who goes repeatedly," evolved to represent a profound spiritual ideal of detached wandering and rigorous non-possession, a concept he finds beautifully resurrected in its application to migratory birds.