Amari Palanna Be Aprakat Aetihasik Lekho

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Book Title: Amari Palanna be Aprakat Aetihasik Lekho (Two Unpublished Historical Articles on Observance of "Amari") Author: Nagkumar Makatai Publisher: Z_Vijay_Vallabh_suri_Smarak_Granth_012060.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/210108/1

This compilation presents two historical documents that shed light on the practice of "Amari" (meaning cessation of animal slaughter or non-violence) in Western India, offering valuable insights into the historical commitment to this principle. The author, Nagkumar Makatai, emphasizes that while various religions have stressed non-violence, Jainism places it as the foremost of its five great vows, advocating its practice not only personally but also encouraging its observance by others.

The article begins by highlighting the universal importance of non-violence across different faiths, citing the Bhagavad Gita's "Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" and the Jain principle of "Ahimsa Parmo Dharma." It traces the legacy of promoting non-violence through historical figures like Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha, who championed it centuries before Christ. It also mentions Adi Shankaracharya's role in reforming Hinduism by stopping sacrificial violence and, significantly, King Kumarpal of Gujarat in the 12th century, who enforced "Amari" across regions like Malwa, Marwar, Mewar, Saurashtra, Kutch, Anarta, and Lata. The author draws a parallel to Mahatma Gandhi in the 20th century, who strived to make non-violence a global movement, even sacrificing his life for it.

The core of the article focuses on two specific, previously unpublished historical documents that contribute to the understanding of "Amari" in Western India, moving beyond the more commonly known efforts like Ashoka's Girnar inscription.

1. The Junagadh Uparkot Inscription of Samvat 1507 (1450 CE):

This section details a significant stone inscription located at Uparkot in Junagadh. Dated to Thursday, Magh Shukla Saptami, Samvat 1507, it records an decree by Ra' Mandalika. On the occasion of the enthronement of Ratnasingh Suri, a prominent figure of the Brihat Tapagachha, Ra' Mandalika declared "Amari" (cessation of slaughter) for all living beings on specific days: Panchami (5th day of the lunar fortnight), Ashtami (8th day), and Chaturdashi (14th day). Previously, this practice was observed on Ekadashi (11th day) and Amavasya (new moon).

The inscription is presented in its original Sanskrit, followed by a detailed Gujarati translation. The Gujarati portion is highlighted as a valuable example of the spoken Gujarati prose of that era. The inscription details the specific restrictions: no killing of living beings for the purpose of satisfying hunger or for the sake of sport (e.g., hunting deer or peacocks). It also prohibits the slaughter of specific animals (like birds, deer, peacocks, and specifies certain types of meat for Muslims) on these designated days. The inscription sternly warns that violating this decree would result in severe punishment, including death, and forfeiture of property. It emphasizes that all citizens must obey Ra' Shri Mandalika's command for the well-being and prosperity of all.

The author notes that Professor Narmadashankar Purohit of Junagadh College read the entire inscription, and the Gujarati portion was researched and translated by Prof. Keshavlal Dhruv, published in the 'Jain Sahitya Sangraha' in 1952-53.

2. The Vadodara Document of Samvat 1848 (1791 CE):

This section introduces a document from Vadodara, dating back 162 years from the time of writing (making it 1791 CE). This document is a pact written by the butchers' (Khatki) community to the Mahajan (merchant guild) of Vadodara. The document is presented as an important historical and social artifact, preserved in the collection of the Zaveri family in Vadodara.

The document, bearing the seal of Sayajirao Gaekwad, is dated Samvat 1848, Shravan Vad 11, Tuesday. It outlines a voluntary agreement by the butchers' community to observe "Amari" on specific days. These include: 30 days in the month of Shravan, 24 Ekadashi days throughout the year, 48 Mondays throughout the year, the days of Chaturmas (from Shravan Sud 1 to Bhadrapad Sud 12), Mohoti Shivaratri (a significant Shiva festival), and the Samvatsari day (end of Paryushan).

The agreement stipulates that if they engage in slaughter on these days, they would be considered offenders against the government and the Mahajan. For any animal slaughter, a penalty of Rs. 2701 would be paid to the government. Furthermore, if an individual fails to pay this fine, their property would be confiscated, and their nose and ears would be cut off. The document emphasizes that this agreement would be honored by their descendants. It also mentions that on specific "anijmahan" (unavoidable) days, they would seek government permission for their activities.

Overall Significance:

The author concludes by noting that these documents indicate that approximately one-third of the year was designated as "Amari" days, encompassing the most sacred days for both Jain and Hindu populations. The cultural significance of these historical records is emphasized, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the principle of non-violence in Western India across centuries. The article highlights how these historical pacts and decrees reflect a societal effort to promote and enforce non-violence, contributing to the rich heritage of Jainism and its impact on broader Indian culture.