प्रास्ताविक
By मुनि श्री नयनन्दी
Summary
This PDF is the seventh issue of the research journal "Janavidya" published by the Janavidya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji, and is a special issue dedicated to Muni Shri Nayanandi. The issue focuses on the Apabhramsha language, which is described as the mother of all modern North Indian languages. The text explains that various modern languages developed from different dialects of Apabhramsha, such as Western Hindi from Shauraseni, Rajasthani and Gujarati from Nagar, and Punjabi from Paishachi. The article traces the historical development of Apabhramsha, dividing it into four periods: the initial period (300 BCE to 600 CE), the early medieval period (600 to 1200 CE), the late medieval period (1200 to 1700 CE), and the modern period (from the 18th century onward). It notes that the most significant period for Apabhramsha literature was from the 6th to the 13th century. The text highlights that a vast amount of Apabhramsha literature was composed by Jain and non-Jain scholars, covering topics from Jain Puranas and stories to secular subjects. It categorizes Jain Apabhramsha narrative poems into two styles: the Puranic style and the romantic style. The issue specifically examines the work "Sudamsanachariu" by Muni Nayanandi, a Jain monk who composed it in Vikram Samvat 1100 during the reign of King Bhoja in Dhara Nagari. This poem is a love story about Seth Sudarshan, illustrating how he overcomes worldly temptations and desires to ultimately achieve liberation. The text emphasizes that the poem, while containing romantic elements, ultimately leads to a message of renunciation and the victory of detachment over attachment. The issue includes contributions from several scholars who shed light on Muni Nayanandi's personality, works, and poetic talent.
Conclusion
This special issue on Muni Shri Nayanandi underscores the enduring relevance of Apabhramsha as the mother of modern North Indian languages and a vital medium for Jain literary expression. The detailed analysis of the *Sudamsanachariu* reveals how this premodern romance narrative, while rich in worldly sensuality, ultimately channels desire toward spiritual renunciation, demonstrating the triumph of detachment over attachment. Such works offer modern readers a nuanced understanding of human psychology and moral resilience. The preservation of these texts in Jain libraries highlights their cultural and linguistic significance, providing a corrective to the misconception that Apabhramsha literature is limited to devotional themes. This issue thus reaffirms the need for continued scholarly attention to Apabhramsha, not only as a linguistic ancestor but as a living source of ethical and aesthetic insight.