Agyatkartuk Nemith Ras

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agyatkartuk Nemith Ras" by Vidhatri Vora:

Book Title: Agyatkartuk Nemith Ras Author: Vidhatri Vora Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_2_Pundit_Bechardas_Doshi_012016.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/230006/1

This text, "Agyatkartuk Nemith Ras" (meaning "Nemith Ras of Unknown Author"), is a poetic composition presented by Vidhatri Vora. Despite its title, the work is actually a travelogue describing a pilgrimage to Girnar.

The poem begins with the poet directing the listener to sing the praise of Rajul-lover Neminath in Junagadh, in the region of Sorath. It also includes salutations to Yugadidev, Var (likely referring to a significant figure or deity), and Parshvanath. This suggests that on the journey to Neminath's pilgrimage site on Girnar, the poet intends to visit and pay homage at several temples in "Upar Kot." These include temples dedicated to Adinath (described as an avatar of Shatrunjay), Mahavir Swami (the ornament of Satypur), and Parshvanath (located in the Tejlavasi temple).

The poem then proceeds to describe the journey, mentioning the Sonrekha (Suvarnarekha) river in the second stanza. The intervening four stanzas (stanzas 3-6) capture the poet's enjoyment of nature's beauty. In the eighth stanza, the poet is once again immersed in description, and the ninth stanza refers to the foothills of Girnar. By the tenth stanza, the poet seems to have reached "Kat," proclaiming, "How have we arrived at pieces of heaven?" The poem then points out the Jinmandir (temple) built by the virtuous minister there (stanza 11). Following this, it mentions "Nagjhar – Merjhar," "Gajpadakund," and the "Muchkund Cave" (stanzas 12-13).

In stanzas 13-15, the poet describes visiting the temple of Neminath's Kalyanak (auspicious events), Ashtapad, and the Vihara (monastery/place of worship) constructed by Lalitpati (Vastupal) at Sametshikhar. The poet then recalls Rajumati and describes the steep and arduous climb to "Ambaji," "Avalokan" (attributed to Guru Dattatreya), "Samb" (Shamb-Gorakhnath), "Pajun" (Pradyumna-Oghadnath), and Siddhi Vinayak. Stanza 16 references "Sahasavan (Shesavan Sahassamra Vana)" and "Lasana (Lakhavana – Lakshavamana)." Finally, the poet returns to "Gajpadakund," worships Neminath, and concludes the "Bhas" (poem) with devotional fervor.

Although the composition primarily focuses on the description of nature, a continuous undercurrent of religious devotion flows throughout. Despite being a short work of only 17 stanzas, its specialty lies in the wealth of historical information it contains.

The manuscript being studied, preserved at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir, is a measurement of 8601 x 24498 centimeters. It contains a total of 150 compositions with diverse subjects and authors. This particular composition is found on folios 63-64 and 166-167, and is designated with the symbols "and 2" respectively, with variations in readings noted. The script is unclear in places, and some parts are damaged due to ink smudging. The manuscript itself is not older than the 16th century. However, based on linguistic analysis, the creation of the "Bhas" is estimated to have occurred in the first half of the 15th century.

The provided stanzas (1-17) are in an older form of Gujarati, describing the journey and the various sacred sites associated with Neminath's pilgrimage, interspersed with natural beauty and devotional expressions.