बुद्धिरसायण-ओणमचरित-दोहड़ा
By कबि नेमि प्रसाद, भंवरलाल पोल्याका
Summary
The document presents a scholarly analysis of an Apabhramsha language poem titled "Buddhirasayana-Oṇamcharita-Dohaḍā," composed by the poet Nemiprasada. The work is a dialogue between Ravana and Mandodari, written in the Doha meter, a form favored by Apabhramsha poets for its musicality and ease of memorization. The narrative is didactic, emphasizing the importance of human effort over fate and illustrating that even a knowledgeable and righteous person, like Ravana, can fall to hell due to character flaws, specifically the abduction of Sita. The poem argues that Ravana, despite being a great warrior and intelligent, was condemned for this single transgression, while Mandodari, who took Jain initiation, attained a divine rebirth. The text is noted for its simple yet ornamented language, rich with aphorisms and idioms. The editor, Prof. Praveenchandra Jain, and translator, Bhanwarlal Pothyaka, provide a translation accessible to general readers. The manuscript, originally listed as "Buddhirasayana Dohaḍā" by Dr. Devendrakumar Shastri, is correctly identified as "Oṇamcharitu," derived from the Prakrit word "Oṇam," meaning "bent" or "humble," which is also a festival in South India. The poet's name is indicated in a pun within the text, not as "Jinavaradeva" as previously suggested. The language suggests a composition date after the 14th or 15th century. The translation is based on a single manuscript copy, with conjectural corrections noted in footnotes. The work is considered unique for its genre, presenting a philosophical discourse on the consequences of sin and the value of Jain dharma.
Conclusion
This document presents a unique Apabhramsha poem, "Buddhirasayana-Oṇamcharita-Dohada," which uses the dialogue between Ravana and Mandodari to deliver a potent moral lesson. The work emphasizes that even a figure of immense intellect and devotion, like Ravana, can face ruin due to a single moral failing—in this case, the abduction of Sita. The poem’s core implication is the supremacy of ethical conduct over knowledge or devotion, asserting that character flaws lead to inevitable downfall, as Ravana’s fate of hell illustrates. By framing this lesson within a popular narrative and using a simple, lyrical meter, the text makes its didactic message accessible. The outcome for the reader is a clear reinforcement of Jain principles, particularly the importance of dharma and the consequences of actions, suggesting that true wisdom lies in righteous living.