अप्प संवोह कव्व

Summary

This text presents the Apabhramsha language spiritual poem "Appa Samvoha Kavva" (Self-Address Poem). The work contains three sections with a total of 58 cantos and 589 verses. Although the first section initially names the text "Niya Samboha," all three sections conclude with the title "Appa Samvoha Kavva." The poet's philosophy is that preaching to others leads to spiritual decline, so he addresses only himself, seeking his own salvation through self-reflection. Scholars including Dr. Rajaram Jain attribute the work to poet Raidhu, but a manuscript dated 1534 VS found in the Amer Shastra Bhandar, Jaipur, identifies the author as Mandalacharya Shri Singhanandi, who may also have written the Panch Namaskar Mantra Mahatmya. The text begins by praising the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira, describing his conquest over passions and karmas. The first section explains the purpose of composition, emphasizing that all beings are alone in the universe, belonging to no one. The poet advises abandoning attachment and cultivating equanimity. The work discusses the futility of worshipping false deities, stating that one becomes like whatever they worship. It distinguishes between false and true gurus, describing a true guru as one possessing right faith, knowledge, and conduct, who is free from anger, pride, deceit, and greed, practices non-violence and truthfulness, and remains detached. The text concludes by urging the soul to follow the enlightened one, abandon false teachers, and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.