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Mahopadhyaya Yashovijayji
By Chandraprakash Shah

As the great Yashovijayji sought the blessing of Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati to formulate and construct Jain scriptures, which he mentioned in the second stanza of Jambuswami Raas, I too seek the blessing of Saraswati to complete the autobiography of this versatile Jain sage.

Jain faith has produced several great monks and nuns after the emancipation of Gautamswami, Sudharman and Jambuswami, who were dominant during their period of living on this planet and promoted Jain Dharma, its rites, rituals, philosophy, science, history, astrology etc beyond our imaginations. I am classifying them as under:

Influential Acaryas:
Acarya Bhadrabahu, Kalikaal sarvagnya Hemcandracarya, Siddhsen Diwaker, Acarya Bappabhattisuri, Hirvijaysuri etc

Critical Commentators:
Abhaydevsuri, Siddhasen Diwaker, Haribhadrasuri, Yashovijayji, Shyamacarya, Araya Samantbhadra, Pujyapadswami, Jinbhadra gain, Virsena, Akalnka etc

Scripture and Agamic literature writers:
Shrut kevlin Acarya Bhadrabahuswami, Arya Rakshit, Acarya Kundakunda, Arya Samantbhadra, Kalikal Sarvagnya Hemcandrasuri, Haribhadrasuri, Devardhigani, Yashovijayji etc

Poetic and Scholatic Personalities:
Kalikal Sarvgnya Hemcandra, Yashovijayji, Vinayvijayji, Acarya Bappabhattisuri, Siddhasen Diwaker etc

Mystic Monks:
Anandghanji, Devcandraji, Mantungsuri, Manvijayji, Mohanvijayji, Yashovijayji etc

Spiritual leaders:
Shrutkevlin Bahdrabahuswami, Arya Kundakunda, Arya Samantbhadra, Pujyapaad, Hemcandra, Mantungsuri, Siddhasen Diwaker, Vruddha Vadidevsuri and very recently Shrimad Rajcandra etc

Social reformists:
Jinduttasuri, Parshwacandrasuri, Vallabhsuri, Jinvijayji etc

Royal patronage:
Candragupta, Kharwel, Gupta dynasty, Solanki and Calukya kings, Samprati, Amoghvarsha, Chola dynasty, Moghul emperor Akabar etc

Many of the Jain monks were from non-jain community, mostly Brahmins. However, they embraced Jainism after complete understanding of Mahavir's principles, Jain ethics etc. They were so impressed with core values of Jainism that they have expressed with honour that if Jainism was not available to them what could have been their future. It is said if one has to learn other "ISM", one has to go through Jain philosophies as it contains all "ISM."

Our hero of the essay is Mahopadhyaya Yashovijayji. He was legendry of the past 300 years. He was termed as "Laghu Haribhadra." His literary works, commentary, construction of various Raas, Cahuvishis, sazzayas etc are unparallel and incomparable within last three centuries. He has written several spiritual volumes. His volume "Adhyatma mat pariksha" is of immense value in which he had discussed and denounced several critical points pertaining to Digambara, Parshwacandra Gaccha, Sthanakvasi sect etc at length. However, he had written commentary on "Ashtasahstri" of Digambaracarya. He had construed Sanskrit commentary on the fourth stanza of Patanjal Yoga Darshan. He did splendid literary works framed in almost all languages prevailing at that time.

The life sketch of this great Jain philosopher, poet, commentator, and writer is hardly available. One can say that it is practically unavailable. His contemporaries included Satyavijay, Manvijay, Vinayvijay etc but they too have not compiled and preserved any data about Yashovijayji although they were learned scholastic personalities. There was a custom in the past in Jain tradition not to write one's own biography due to fear of "ATMAPRASHANSHA" (self honouring and proclaimation). If he could have been Acarya in the lineage of Sudharman Gandhar some information might be collected. However, Yashovijayji was from different world. He was always busy with his scholastic, literary and spiritual work. He worried about the defects and loose conduct those crept in at his time in Jain faith. This he mentioned in his various request Stavans to Simandharswami and Shankheshwar Parshwanath. He tried to bring in reforms with the assistance of Panyas Satyvijayji.

I shall deal with his biography in the following manner:
1. Birth & Birth place
2. Childhood
3. Power of Memory
4. Renunciation of world
5. Agamic and Spiritual study
6. Perception and Blessing of Goddess Saraswati
7. Dharmic atmosphere during his time
8. His contemporaries
9. His literary works
10. His poetic works
11. His Chauvishis
12. His Sanskrit works
13. His request letters in the form of Stavan to Simandharswami and Shankheshwar parshwanath.
14. His devlokgaman and memorial

Birth and Birth Place:
Yashovijaji believed to be born before three and half centuries in the Village Kanoda of present Mehsana district in Gujarat, might be in the year V.S.1670. His child hood name was "JASHA." This can be ascertained from his volume "ADHYATMA MAT PARIKSHA This volume he framed in response to the beliefs of Digambara sect at the time of Acarya Vijaydevsuri, who happened to be in the Vikram Samvat 1650 and there after. His total life spanned to 82 years. He was Oshwal Jain.

Childhood and Power of Memory:
His father died when he just making steps in this world. His mother brought him up with Dharmic culture She was taking him everyday to the Jain Upashraya to listen to the discourses of monk Nayavijayji. Nayavijayji always recited Bhaktamar in the morning. Jasha memorized Bhaktamar. Jasha had an immense memory power since childhood. Whatever he grasped or listened once, he remembered at once and never forgot. There is a famous story about his memorizing Bhaktamar Stotra and reciting it before his mother to break her fasting. This incident led him to embrace Jain initiation later on.

Renunciation of the World:
Nayavijayji learnt and surprised about the memory power of Jasha He asked him several questions, which JASHA replied without hesitations and in positive manners. He called his mother and requested her to offer his son for the noble cause of promoting Jain Values and Faith. He gave her all the advices at his disposal to have JASHA in the Jain Monk tradition. Further Nayavijayji summoned leaders of the Jain Sangh and presented his thoughts to them. He requested them to approach the mothewr of Jasha and request her politely to donate her son for this noble cause. The Sangha leaders went to her house. They presented their propsal and a request from Nayavijaji in polite manners. She was very much pleased and with great pleasures, she accepted the proposal and request. She offered her only and the son between seven families, who was seven at that time to the Jain Sangha. This is the turning point in the life of JASHA. Nayavijayji offered him Jain initiation with all pious rituals and reciting slokas in the presence of four-fold Jain Organisation. He embraced Jain initiation in the lineage of Acarya Hirvijaysuri who converted Emperor Akabar non-vilonet. "JASHA now turned to "YASHOVIJAY." Now he becomes the property of Sangha. The Sangha on the advice of Nayavijayji looked after his mother until she lived.

Agamic and Spiritual studies:
Yashovijayji now stays with his Guru, the learned Nayavijayji. He started studying agamic literatures and spiritual study under the guidance of Nayavijayji. Since he had exceptional memory power, he grasped many things very soon. Nayavijayji normally resided in Ahmedabad in those days. Nayavijayji thought and decided to push, Vinayvijayji and Yashovijayji for further study to Kashi, the Mecca of Sanskrit and Prakrit literature studies. He was very much confident that his pupils would shine out beyond imagination and hoist the flag of Jainism at its highest peak.

Both Vinayvijayji and Yashovijayji sent to Kashi, now known as Varanasi to a Brahmin Sanskrit Scholar. Yashovijayji selected Nyaya (Logic) as his principal subjects and Vinayvijayji opted for Grammaer as his principal subject. However, they both took common subsidiary subjects pertaining to Shad darshan. They studied all the subjects for twelve years and attained excellent scholastic supremacy over their principal and subsidiary subjects. Although the non-jain Brahmin was deceitful of Jains and Jainism, they both pleased their preceptor, with their politeness and dedication towards studies. The Brahmin teacher was so pleased that he taught them both whatever he possessed with all fire and zeal. He had one rare volume on Nyaya and Grammer, which he never shown to any one. One day when he was out of town both V & Y found that volume and memorized 1800 stanzas in one night with the help of lighting lamp of Castor oil. Yashovijayji and Vinayvijayji memorized 1200 and 600 slokas respectively. Later on when their teacher was in good mood, they let him know what they had done in his absence and ask for his forgiveness. They both recited 1800 slokas orally and showed the miracle of their memory power. The teacher once again turned very happy.

Yashovijayji, with the blessings of his teacher entered in to the debate over Nyaya in Varanasi with well-known Hindu ascetic and defeated him in public. This gave him powerful boost and hoisted Jain flag very high. This incident brought him honour and received the title of Expert on Nyaya in Varanasi. He was the first Jain ascetic to be honoured to highest Hindu scholarship seat may be after Siddhasen and Acarya Haribhadrasuri.

Perception and praising of Goddess Saraswti:
After completion of his studies successfully in Kashi, Yashovijayji thought to go for the blessing of Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati to learn more about Jainism and its renovations, Shad Darshan and construction of volumes on various philosophies for the unconditional benefits of the future generations. Yashovijayji sat in deep concentration and meditation to recite "EN KAR"beej mantra. He continued until Goddess appeared before him and asked for Vardaan (Favour). Saraswati was very much pleased with his polite and honourable request and blessed him with her Vardaan. Yashovijayji himself mentioned this episode in the second stanza of his creation "Jambuswami Raas." More proof of such godly miracle is substantiated while reading his literatures. Before leaving Varanasi he received blessing of his teacher and politely requested him to see him when he happened to be in Gujarat and told him if needed anything feel free to ask him. Equipped with godly favour Yashovijayji set out to renovate and construct new volumes. His fame reached to his Guru in Ahmedabad before he reached the destination. While approaching towards Ahmedabad he visited towns like Agra, Jaisalmeir and other prominent places of Marwar region. He had seen the "Gyan Bhandar" of Jaisalmeir. He had given some quotations from Gandhahasti Mahabhashya written by Araya Samantbhadra on Tatavarthasutra. This volume is hardly seen nowadays.

Dharmic Atmnosphere in his time:
There was deep-rooted Digamabara ideology in the Central India. Lunka and Kadwa ideologyies were present. Sheth Shantidass who was instrumental in promoting and establishment of Sagar Gacca played prominent role in the bifurcation of Vijaydevsuri and Vijay Anandsuri folds. Motilal Girdharlal Kapadia provided more details in his preface of "Shantsudharas" volume. Mystic poet Shriman Devcandraji was in the fold of Sagar Gacca. Panyas Satyavijay accepted the orderes from Acarya Vijaysinhsur in the beginning and later on joined Vijayprabhasuriji. While creating "Adhyatmamatpariksha "volume Yashovijayji mentioned that he was in the order of Acarya Vijaydevsuri and later on aligned with Acarya Vijaysinhsuri and Vijayprabhasuri.
Although there was degradation and slackness prevailing in the character and conduct activities, there was tremendous rising of Gyan (Knowledge). In association with Panyas Satyvijayji and Acarya Gyanvimalsuri he tried to remobilized and brought forward modifications to these paths. Even though, it is uncertain about the timings of conferring an honour of "UPADHYAYA" title to Yashovijayjiit it is certain that Acarya Vijayprabhsuri performed this feat.

His Contemporaries: There were many learned and Scholastics personalities present in his time
Acaryas : Vijayprabhsuri, Vijaysinhsauri, Visaydevsuri, Vijay Anandsuri and Gyan vimalsuri.
Upadhyaya: Manvijayji, Vinayvijayji, Pt. Jitvijayji,
Mystic Poet: Anadghanji
Non-Jain Poets: Most possible Premanand and Dayaram

His literary works: The literary works of Yashovijayji spread in Sanskrit, Gujarati, Marwari and Prakrit languages. It contains Nyaya, Philosophy, commentary, Raas, Poems, conversation between Ship and Sea, commentaries on other authors' volumes, Sazzayas, Stavans, request letters in the form of Stavans to Simandharswami, and Bhakti stavans in the form of Chauvishis.

It is said that Yashovijayji had created more than 108 volumes and 200,000 slokas.
His important works include:

Pratimashatak for the establishment of Image worshipping-- Sanskrit
Adhyatmamatpariksha for the denouncement of several ideologies, particularly, Digambar and Parshwacandra
Adhyatmaupnishad-Sanskrit
Adhyatmasaar on Spiritualism--Sanskrit
Gyansaar again on spiritualism--Sanskrit
Syadvad Rahasya--Sanskrit
Anekantmat Vyavastha--Sanskrit
Jain Logic ---Sanskrit
Naya Rahasya-on different stand points
Naya pradip-on different standpoints
Dwatrishaddwatrimshika---Spiritualism and related matters. It contains 32 stanzas for each subject. There are 32 subjects---Sanskrit
Guru tatva Vinischaya-Qualities and Selection of Gurus--Sanskrit
Pariksha of Dev and Dharma---Sanskrit
Commentary on Shastra Varta Samuccay of Acarya Haribhadra suri---Details about Shad Darshan---Sanskrit
Analysis of Ashta Sahastri --Sanskrit
Commentary on Sambhodh Sittari ---Sanskrit
Syadvad Manjusha-Commentary on Syadvad Manjri of Mallisensuri
Vritti on Shodashak Prakaran of Acarya Haribhadrasuri---Sanskrit
Raas of Jambuswami---Gujarati
Later portion from Khand three onwards of Shreepal Raas--Gujarati
Raas of Dravya, Guna and Paryay-Jain Metaphysics---Gujarati
Digpat 84 Bol in response to Digambar ideology---Gujarati
Samadhi satak-100 slokas for obtaining Samadhi ---Gujarati
Sazzay of 18 paapstahnak--Gujarati
Sazzay of five Mahavrata--Guajarati
Sazzay of eleven Angas--Guajarati
Sazzay of Amrit veli--Gujarati
Sazzay of 67 Bol of Samyaktva--Gujarati
350 stanzas stavan to Simandharswami--Gujarati
125 stanzas stavan to Simandharswami-request letter to Tirthankar about slackness
150 Kalyank stavan of Maun Ekadashi--Gujarati
Shatstahnak chopai stavan-Gujarati-Six essential substances for Samyaktva
Nischay and Vyavahar stavan -Clarification on real and practical view points--Gujarati
Conversation between Ship and Sea-Gujarati poem
Three Chauvishis--- All in Gujarati

Viharman Jina stavanavali
Present Jina Chauvishi (Twice)
13 more Stavans for different Tirthanakras

And many more

He had vigorous will to promote Jainism and remove all slackness that had crept in at that time. There was a time when opposing brewed against him and many Jain Upashrayas closed the doors for him from entering.. Later on he went to the temple of Shankheshwar Parshwnath and prayed and sang emotionally

"Shankheshwar Pas ab mohe ash tuj ash bhayi
ab tu hi mero Dhani"

Meaning hey! My Shankheshwar Parshwanath you are my ultimate hopes and you are only my master others are betrayers and I forgive them.

He had traveled mainly at Ahmedabad, Patan, Cambay, Limbdi, Ghogha near Bhavnagar, and Chhani near Vadodara in Gujarat. He had very close link with Gyanvimalsuri, Anandghanji, Satyvijayji and Vinayvijayji He had shown his memory power miracles in Cambay and Ahmedabad.

Before concluding, I would like to bow down before this great sage of present era who energized Jainism with his miraculous memory power and promoted it with literatures. Many thanks and honour for Goddess Saraswati who guided me in disguise to complete this essay in its true sense. The credit of the present treasure of Jain Knowledge undoubtedly goes to this child celibate monk YASHOVIJAYJI. All honours to him.

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Author : MR. CHANDRAPRAKASH SHAH
49, Highfield Avenue, London NW11 9EU
Tele: 0044 020 8632 0544, 0091 79 2660 4559 (India)
E-Mail :chandraprakashshah@rediffmail.com & CShah90@aol.com
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