BOOKS IN GUJARATI

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Deep diving into Gujarati and its connection to different sectors of knowledge

More than 46 million people speak Gujarati, which is officially recognised by the Indian constitution. It is the language of the state of Gujarat. The language's evolution can be dated to roughly the 12th century CE. With three genders, singular and plural forms, and three cases (nominative, oblique, and agentive-locative) for nouns, Gujarati inflection is fairly complex. Devanagari script in its cursive form is typically used to write it.


Hinduism


Lord Shiva is honored at Vadodara, Gujarat, in the Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple. Even though the temple's architecture is quite basic and it is supported by pillars, it is one of India's most unique must-see religious attractions. The name "Stambeshwar Mahadev '' comes from the fact that the temple is mostly supported by pillars. The temple, often referred to as the Disappearing Shiva Temple, is notable for the fact that every day during high tide, it disappears beneath the water. However, as the tide begins to fall, it begins to emerge from the water once again, revealing the Shiva Linga, which is 4 feet high. The myth states that Lord Kartikeya himself installed this Shiva Linga. Myth has it that after murdering the demon Tarakasura, Lord Kartikeya feels remorseful. Kartikeya established Shiva Lingas at three locations and conducted prayers to atone for his sin of killing a revered Shiva devotee, following Lord Vishnu's advice. 


Hinduism is thus in the very blood of the state of Gujarat, with most of its residents belonging to the religious identity. Since it cannot be traced back to its beginning and no one is aware of it, it is also known as "Sanatana Dharma." Karma and Dharma are this religion's two main tenets. The three creator gods of Hinduism are Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.


Literature


The writings of the Jain philosopher and saint Hemachandra, are the source of the first instances of Gujarati literature. By the late twelfth century, the language had reached its complete development. The Balava Bodha by Tarunaprabha is one of several instructional books by Jain monks that date from the beginning of the fourteenth century. Vasanta-vilasa by Gunavanta is a non-Jain text from the same era. Narasimha Mahata (or Mehta) and Bhalana are two 15th-century Gujarati bhakti (devotional) poets (or Purushottama Maharaja). The latter reduced the Bhagavata-10th purana's volume to a few songs. 


The saint Mira Bai is by far the most popular of the bhakti poets in Gujarat. Mira Bai believed that the god Krishna was her genuine husband despite being married to a human. She writes some of the warmest and most heartfelt poems in Indian literature, describing her relationship with her god and lover. Premananda Bhatta, who created narrative poems based on Purana-like tales, is among the most well-known non-bhakti Gujarati poets. Even if his topics were commonplace, his characters were passionate and lively, and he gave the literature in his tongue a fresh new energy.


Saints


Some of the well-known saints whose works are read by people of Gujarat-


  1. Shastriji Maharaj, a swami of both the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and the founding member of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, was ordained Shastri Yagnapurushdas (BAPS). One of Shriji Maharaj's numerous goals when he entered this world was to establish Ekantik Dharma through disseminating genuine upasana. Understanding that Akshar and Purushottam entered this world as Gunatitanand Swami and Shriji Maharaj, respectively, is true upasana. Becoming an aksharrup and worshiping Purushottam is true upasana. One must first associate with Gunatitanand Swami in order to become an aksharrup. After that, one can worship Shriji Maharaj.


  2. Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj: The fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan was Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj. He represented joy, innocence, and sincerity in human form. He is an inspiration for all sincere spiritual seekers because of his saintly life of devotion and service to God and his guru.


Philosophy


The longest-lasting intellectual tradition in India is the Hindu philosophy, which Gujarat has adopted. It has a few stages that can be verified. The earliest was the proto-philosophical era, during which the Upanishads' proto-logical ontological records were gathered and the karma and freedom hypotheses first appeared. The traditional era followed, during which there was constant philosophical exchange between diverse schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. A few systems, including Sankhya, Yoga, etc. went out of style during this time, while others, including Kashmir Shaivism, flourished. Finally, there were very few operating schools left after the classical era. Muslim invasions caused political and financial repercussions that hindered academic advancement. The grammarians, the Logic school (Nyaya), especially New Logic (Navya-Nyaya), and, most crucially, the Vedanta schools were the schools that survived.


FAQ


Q1. What was the first Gujarati novel ever written?


Karan Ghelo by Nandshankar Mehta was the first ever Gujarati novel written in 1866.


Q2. Who is referred to as the first sonnet poet of Gujarat?


Balwantray Thakore was the first sonnet poet of Gujarat.