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Samdhikavya Samucchaya

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First page of Samdhikavya Samucchaya

Summary

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

Book Title: Sandhikavya Samucchaya (संधिकाव्य-समुच्चय) Author: Edited by R. M. Shah Publisher: L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad Series: L. D. Series 72 Publication Date: First Edition, January 1980

Overview:

The "Sandhikavya Samucchaya" is a collection of twenty 'Sandhi' poems composed between the 13th and 15th centuries CE in the ancient Gurjar language (Apabhramsa and Old Gujarati). This collection, edited by R. M. Shah, is significant as it presents these works with their revised texts for the first time. The book is published with the financial assistance of the Government of Gujarat.

Key Features and Significance:

  • Linguistic Bridge: The Sandhi poems serve as a crucial link between Apabhramsa and Old Gujarati, showcasing the evolution of the language. They exhibit a stronger influence of Apabhramsa compared to other Old Gujarati poetic forms.
  • Cultural and Historical Value: These poems are valuable sources for studying the language, history, and culture of the regions that constituted the boundaries of ancient Gurjar, namely present-day Gujarat, Western Rajasthan, and Malwa.
  • Literary Merit: The collection is intended to be useful for literary enthusiasts and linguists. The poems are noted for their engaging narrative, simple language, and flowing meter, making them emotionally resonant.
  • Scholarly Work: The editor, Dr. R. M. Shah, has provided an extensive and scholarly introduction (Bhumika) that covers the nature, origin, and development of Sandhi poetry, the subject matter and sources of the collected works, their authorship and period of composition, their metrical structure, and a review of each poem.
  • Glossary and Corrections: The book also includes a glossary of important words and a list of corrections to enhance its utility for researchers.

Structure of the Book:

The book is divided into several sections:

  1. Introduction (Bhumika): (Pages 1-14)

    • Preface (Prastavik): Briefly introduces the collection and its significance.
    • Nature, Origin, and Development of Sandhi Poetry (Sandhikavya: Swaroop, Udbhav ane Vikas): Discusses the genre and its evolution.
    • Subject Matter and Sources (Vishay-Vastu ane Mul-Srot): Details the content and origins of the poems.
    • Authorship and Period of Composition (Kartrutva ane Rachana-Samay): Identifies the poets and their respective eras.
    • Metrical System (Chhandovidhan): Analyzes the poetic meters used.
    • Review of Each Poem (Prati-Parichay): Provides a brief description of each of the twenty Sandhi poems.
    • Conclusion (Upsanhar): Summarizes the overall findings.

  2. Main Text (Mul Path): (Pages 1-136) This section contains the twenty Sandhi poems.

  3. Glossary (Shabdakosh): (Pages 121-132)

  4. Errata (Shuddhipatra): (Pages 133-136)

  5. Index (Anukram):

The Twenty Sandhi Poems:

The collection includes the following twenty Sandhi poems, with brief summaries of their content as described in the introduction:

  1. Rishabh-Paranak Sandhi: The life of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, focusing on his first meal after a long penance, offered by Shreyans Kumar.
  2. Virjinn-Paranak Sandhi: The story of Lord Mahavir's first meal offered by Chandanbala.
  3. Gajasukumar Sandhi: The inspiring story of Gajasukumar, who attained omniscience and liberation on the same day he took diksha.
  4. Shalibhadra Sandhi: The tale of Shalibhadra, a wealthy merchant's son who renounces his vast possessions after realizing his lack of true freedom, eventually becoming a monk.
  5. Avantikumara Sandhi: The story of Avantikumara, a wealthy merchant's son, who, influenced by Acharya Suhasti Suri, renounces worldly life and practices severe penance.
  6. Madanarekha Sandhi: Based on the story of King Nami Rajarshi from the Uttaradhyayana Sutra, focusing on his mother Madanarekha.
  7. Anathi Sandhi: The story of Muni Anathi, illustrating that despite material wealth, humans are helpless regarding birth, old age, and death.
  8. Jivanushasti Sandhi: A didactic poem that instructs beings by describing their journey through various states of existence and the suffering therein.
  9. Narmada Sundari Sandhi: The famous story of the virtuous Jain lady Narmada Sundari.
  10. Chaturanga Bhavana Sandhi: Discusses the four rare elements of human life as described in the Uttaradhyayana Sutra: human birth, hearing the Dharma, having faith in Dharma, and the capacity for restraint.
  11. Ananda Shravaka Sandhi: The life story of Ananda Upasak, a chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, who achieved great meditative powers by observing eleven stages of a lay follower.
  12. Antaranga Sandhi: A metaphorical poem depicting how the internal enemy, Kama (desire), is defeated by Lord Jinendra, who saves sentient beings.
  13. Keshigautama Sandhi: The dialogue between Keshigautama, a disciple of Lord Parshvanatha, and Gautama, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, addressing doctrinal differences.
  14. Bhavana Sandhi: Focuses on the twelve virtues (Bhavanas) that aid in renunciation and guides ordinary individuals on their life path, with examples from Haribhadra Suri's Upadesha Pad.
  15. Shila Sandhi: Celebrates the glory of virtuous conduct (Shila), particularly the vow of celibacy, highlighting its benefits and the consequences of its violation.
  16. Upadhana Sandhi: Explains the significance and methodology of the Upadhana penance, a well-known Jain practice.
  17. Haimatilaka Suri Sandhi: A poem about the life of Acharya Haimatilaka Suri, who lived in the early 14th century, possibly composed by one of his disciples. It provides historical details of his life.
  18. Tapa Sandhi: Glorifies the twelve types of penance prescribed in Jainism and encourages their practice, describing the sufferings caused by indulgence and the rewards of austerity.
  19. Anathi-Maharishi Sandhi: Similar to the Anathi Sandhi, but with expanded descriptions and narratives.
  20. Upadesha Sandhi: A straightforward didactic poem urging the observance of the twelve vows of a lay follower and other ethical principles.

Authorship and Dating:

The introduction provides details about the likely authors and approximate periods of composition for many of the Sandhis. For instance, Sandhis 1-5 are attributed to Acharya Ratnaprabha Suri (12th century), Sandhis 6-10 to Jinaprabha Suri (12th-13th century), and Sandhi 11 to Vinayachandra Suri (13th century). Other Sandhis are attributed to different scholars, and some authors remain unknown.

Metrical Structure (Chhandovidhan):

The Sandhi poems predominantly employ the 'matrameḷa' (syllable-meter) metrical patterns prevalent in 'Sandhibandha' Mahakavyas. The primary meters used are:

  • Paddhati: 16 matras, common in most Sandhis.
  • Vadanaka: 16 matras, characterized by specific patterns of short and long syllables.
  • Madanaavatar: 20 matras, used in a few instances.
  • Dhrutaka and Dhruvak: These are concluding verses or couplets that often employ the 'Shatpadi' meter, characterized by specific matra counts and rhyming schemes.

Manuscript Sources (Prati-Parichay):

The introduction also details the manuscripts used for editing, mentioning various collections like the L. D. Institute's collection, Khambhat's Jain Bhandars, Patan's Jain Bhandars, and the Abhay Jain Granthalaya in Bikaner.

Overall Contribution:

The "Sandhikavya Samucchaya" is a significant contribution to the study of Apabhramsa and Old Gujarati literature, offering scholars access to previously unpublished or less-studied poetic works that shed light on linguistic, religious, and cultural developments in medieval India.