प्रास्ताविक
Summary
The text discusses the Apabhramsha language, which was a highly capable language during the medieval period, serving both as a vernacular and a literary language. It was used to compose poems on various life subjects. Apabhramsha is considered the mother of many modern North Indian languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Punjabi, Sindhi, Marathi, Bihari, Bengali, Odia, and Assamese. In recent years, scholars have focused on unpublished Apabhramsha texts, bringing to light a treasure trove of literature, including the epic 'Jambusamichariu'. Jambuswami was a disciple of Sudharmacharya, a Ganadhara of Lord Mahavira, and is considered the last Kevali of this period, attaining nirvana in 463 BCE, 64 years after Mahavira. He played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Jain Agamic knowledge through an oral tradition that continued for centuries. Despite his historical significance, little contemporary information about his life exists, with most details coming from Jain and some Brahmanical literature. His biography became enriched with various anecdotes over time, leading to over 100 compositions about him in different Indian languages and regions from the 5th-6th century to the 20th century. Among these is the Apabhramsha work 'Jambusamichariu' by Mahakavi Veera, a great poet of the language. This epic provides a comprehensive study of Jambuswami's life. The work remained unpublished for years, existing only in manuscripts. It was first introduced in Hindi by Pandit Paramanand Ji, and Dr. Vimalprakash Jain earned a PhD by researching it and providing a Hindi translation. The oldest manuscript used by Dr. Jain dates to 1516 Vikram Samvat, housed in the Amer Shastra Bhandar at Shri Mahavirji. Mahakavi Veera was born in Malwa region, in the village of Gulkhed, to a Jain family. His
Conclusion
This special issue on Mahakavi Veera and his Apabhramsha epic *Jambusamichariu* underscores the enduring significance of Apabhramsha as a literary and vernacular bridge between ancient and modern Indian languages. By bringing unpublished manuscripts to light, scholars are recovering a vast cultural heritage, with Veera’s work exemplifying how Jain biographical traditions were transmitted across centuries and regions. The detailed study of this epic reveals not only the poet’s multilingual mastery but also the deep influence of earlier masters like Pushpadanta on later Apabhramsha literature. Ultimately, this research reaffirms the critical role of Apabhramsha in preserving Jain philosophical and narrative traditions, while highlighting the urgent need for continued archival work to safeguard these irreplaceable texts for future scholarship.