Dr. Kumarpal Desai
Tilakmanjari
विद्वान सर्वत्र पूजयते । The learned are worshipped everywhere. King Munj and king Bhoj of Dhara held poet Dhanpal in high esteem for Dhanpal was a very learned man, and a poet of a high order. Munj considered him as his son and had conferred on him the title 'kurchal Saraswati' (goddess Saraswati with a beard and moustache). King Bhoj had conferred the title kavishvar (best among the poets) and siddha Saraswati (an accomplished scholar). Dhanpal had, once, out of spite for the Jain religion, compelled the king to ban the Jains monks' travel in Malwa. However his own younger brother had renounced the world and was known as Shobhanacharya. He explained to his elder brother the basic tenets of Jainism and their importance and converted him. Thus converted he, then, composed a work in praise of tirihankar Rishabhdev.
Once, on a wintry night, Dhanpal read out his work to king Bhoj. Bhoj suggested some alternations and said that he should add some words of praise about his love for religion. Dhanpal refused to do so saying, "It would mean I am not true to myself. I am sorry but I cannot act against my conscience." The king, hearing these words was furious and threw the book into fire. Hot words were also exchanged between the two. Poet Dhanpal was sad when he returned home. He was restless. His daughter Tilakmanjari wanted to know the cause of his sadness. Dhanpal loved her very much and she was equally accomplished. She would read the works of her father with great interest. Dhanpal informed her daughter that his labour of years had turned to ashes.
Tilakmanjari consoled her father and said, "Grieve not, father. I remember every word of what you had written in the volume." These words of Tilakmanjari lifted his drooping spirit. He was proud of his daughter and her retentive memory. She began to dictate to him and Dhanpal began to write. And lo and behold! Within no time the book was ready. This happened in Vikram Samvat 1084 and the work, exemplifying the nine ras (sentiments) was, thus, recomposed.
A true creator is always faithful to his/her vocation. His/Her creations are unforced, naturally born. He/She will never use the pen to indulge in false praise or 'sell' it to make a living out of it. Poet Dhanpal was one such poet. He chose to suffer humiliation than to bend his wishes to the king's. Thanks to his daughter Tilakmanjari, the lost work of Dhanpal was salvaged and retrieved. "What would have happened to the work if Tilakmanjari was not there to help him?", wondered Dhanpal. He entitled the work Tilakmanjari in appreaciation of his daughter's help - a tribute to her memory which made the impossible possible.
