प्रास्ताविक
Summary
The text discusses the significance of the Apabhramsha language and literature, particularly highlighting the contributions of the 10th-century poet Mahakavi Pushpadant. It notes that scholar Rahul Sankrityayan ranked Pushpadant second only to Mahakavi Svayambhu in his anthology "Hindi Kavya Dhara," a view supported by other historians. The text cites Uddyotanasuri (9th century), who described Apabhramsha's influence as unstoppable like monsoon rivers, capable of quickly captivating the mind. Apabhramsha literature encompasses various genres, including stotras, prabandha kavyas, and charita kavyas, covering themes of philosophy, history, and culture. Jain manuscript discoveries reveal a rich tradition of devotional literature in Apabhramsha that influenced Hindi's Bhakti period. Notable works include those by Dhanapala, Jinadattasuri, Devasuri, Jinaprabhasuri, and Dharmaghoshsuri. The 'doha' meter is prominent in Apabhramsha, similar to Sanskrit's 'shloka' and Prakrit's 'gatha'. The literature is divided into heroic works by bards and spiritual works by Jain ascetics, with Hindi's nirguna bhakti poetry showing influence from Jain Apabhramsha doha literature. Scholars like Dr. Hiralal Jain and Dr. Ramsingh Tomar note parallels between Kabir's compositions and earlier Jain Apabhramsha works, particularly in concepts of a formless yet all-pervading Brahman, reflecting Jain anekantavada. Prabandha kavyas in Apabhramsha are categorized into pauranic and romantic styles. Despite its vast and significant corpus, Apabhramsha literature was initially neglected. The Jain Vidya Sansthan at Shri Mahavirji has initiated efforts to preserve and study this literature, publishing the journal "Jain Vidya" with special issues on Svayambhu and Pushpadant. The text acknowledges contributors and expresses gratitude to
Conclusion
The document underscores the profound yet historically neglected significance of Apabhramsha literature, particularly its Jain traditions, which deeply influenced later Hindi devotional poetry, including the works of Kabir. The analysis reveals that Apabhramsha’s thematic and stylistic elements—such as the use of the ‘doha’ meter and the philosophical concept of anekantavada—directly shaped the Nirgun Bhakti movement. Despite this rich heritage, the field remains underexplored, with many manuscripts still awaiting scholarly attention. The Jain Vidya Sansthan’s initiatives, including the publication of the ‘Jain Vidya’ journal with special issues on poets like Pushpadant, represent crucial steps toward revitalizing research. However, the document calls for expanded efforts to fully uncover and integrate this literary corpus into mainstream Indian literary history, highlighting both the urgency and the vast potential for future academic inquiry.