आणदा
By डॉ० देवेन्द्रकुमार शास्त्री
Summary
The PDF content describes the publication of an ancient spiritual composition titled "Ānandatilaka" by Mahānandi, written in the Apabhraṃśa language. This work is at least six hundred years old and is rich in spiritual themes, with many of its couplets comparable to those of the famous mystic poet Kabir. The publication is part of a series by the Jainavidyā institution, which aims to publish one significant unpublished work from languages such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhraṃśa, Hindi, Gujarati, and Rajasthani in each issue, with translation. The previous issue featured "Chūnaḍiyā," a nearly 800-year-old composition, which was well-received by readers, encouraging the current publication. The editing and translation of "Ānandatilaka" were done by Dr. Devendrakumar Shastri of Neemuch, a renowned scholar of Apabhraṃśa language and Jain philosophy. He prepared the text using two copies from the institution and printed versions from the Ācārya Bhikṣu Smṛti Grantha published by the Śrī Jain Granthamālā, Bikaner. To allow readers to compare the original texts, textual variations between the two institutional copies were prepared by Paṇḍit Bhevaralal Polyaka and added to the publication. One institutional copy is from a manuscript bundle dated Vikram Samvat 1539, while the other is a later handwritten copy. The main difference is that the older bundle uses specific characters and lacks the vowel-ending forms typical of Apabhraṃśa, whereas the newer copy preserves these features, suggesting it is a copy of an even older manuscript. The editor welcomes reader feedback. A postscript notes that Ratanlal Kataria of Kekri informed the editor that this work had already been published with a Hindi translation by Paṇḍit Deepchand Jain Pandya in the journal Anekānta, V.S. 1999, volume 5,
Conclusion
The publication of "Ānandatilaka" marks a significant step in the journal's ongoing mission to bring unpublished, historically important works to light. This six-century-old spiritual composition, with its dohas comparable to Kabir's, offers readers a rare glimpse into the mystical traditions of the Apabhraṃśa language. The meticulous editorial work by Dr. Devendrakumar Shastri, who consulted multiple manuscript sources including a 15th-century bundle and a later copy, ensures textual authenticity. The inclusion of variant readings further enriches scholarly access. The enthusiastic reader response to the earlier "Chunadia" publication has validated this initiative, encouraging the journal to continue bridging the gap between ancient manuscripts and modern audiences. This effort not only preserves linguistic heritage but also deepens understanding of India's spiritual and literary continuity.