Amdavadno Shilalekh

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Amdavadno Shilalekh," based on the provided pages:

Title: Amdavadno Shilalekh (The Inscription of Ahmedabad)

Source: Z_Prachin_Jain_Lekh_Sangraha_Part_02_005113_HR.pdf

Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249645/1

Page 1 Summary:

This inscription is located in the Dharnach Mandir within Hadibhai ni Wadi in Ahmedabad, a famous and well-known location. The inscription measures 2 feet 9 inches in height and 1 foot 6 inches in width, containing 39 lines of text written in Sanskrit in a verse format. There are 34 verses in total.

The inscription details the life of Shah Shri Nihalchand of the Ukesh (Aaswal) lineage, who was a follower of the Jivdaya (non-violence) dharma during the rule of the British East India Company in Ahmedabad. Nihalchand's son was Shah Shri Khushaldas, whose virtuous wife was named Manaki. They had a son named Kesarisinh. Kesarisinh, through his wife Suraj, fathered the renowned Seth Shri Hadisinh. Seth Hadisinh was a wealthy individual who earned immense wealth and lived a life of indulgence. He constructed a magnificent garden on the northern outskirts of Ahmedabad and built a beautiful, new Jin Mandir (Jain temple) within it. He also commissioned numerous Jin Pratimas (idols). The temple is described as having three floors and three spires, with ornate halls. The idols were installed by Shantinsagarsuri.

(Note on the margin: It is mentioned that in this particular lineage (Gachh), there were many acharyas (monks) with similar names, and names like Siddhursi and Kakkar appeared every third or fourth instance.)

Page 2 Summary:

This section (pages 9 to 12) of the text further describes Gujarat and the city of Ahmedabad. Seth Hadisinh, the leader of merchants and owner of vast wealth in Ahmedabad, is again mentioned. He had two intelligent wives: Rukmini and Harkunwar. They had a virtuous son named Jaysinh.

After Seth Hadisinh passed away, his devoted wife, Harkunwar, as per his wishes, completed all the construction work, including the aforementioned temple. Though a woman, Harkunwar accomplished tasks that even men would find difficult.

During the consecration ceremony of the temple, Harkunwar sent invitations through 'kumkum patrika' (vermilion invitations) and messengers to the Chaturvidh Sanghs (four types of Jain congregations: monks, nuns, male devotees, and female devotees) from various villages. Consequently, people and sanghs from thousands of villages joyfully arrived in Ahmedabad. Many acharyas and sanghpatis (leaders of congregations) also came with their groups. In total, approximately four hundred thousand people gathered for the occasion. Harkunwar generously hosted and welcomed all these fellow devotees, incurring significant expenses.

The consecration ceremony commenced on Magh Sud Chhath (6th day of the bright half of Magh) in Samvat 1903 (Shaka 1768). A grand procession with a 'jalayatra' (procession with water for consecration) took place on this day. On the seventh day, 'kumbhasthapana' (establishment of auspicious pots) was performed. On the eighth and ninth days, 'Nandavarta Pujan' (worship of a particular ritualistic design) was conducted. On the tenth day, 'Dikpal' and 'Devpal Pujan' (worship of guardian deities) were performed, and on the eleventh day, 'Vistthani Pujan' (worship related to twenty specific places or figures) was offered. On the twelfth day, devotees performed the worship of Siddha (enlightened beings) and Chakradi (referring to celestial wheels or powers). On the thirteenth day, the 'Chyavan Mahotsav' (celebration of transmigration) was observed. The fourteenth day was dedicated to the 'Janma Mahotsav' (birth celebration), and the full moon day featured the 'Snana Mahotsav' (bathing ceremony).

On Magh Vad Ekam (1st day of the dark half of Magh), an 'Ashtadasha Abhishek' (eighteen-fold ceremonial bath) was performed, followed by the 'Pathshalagamanotsav' (celebration of entering a school) on the second day. The third day marked the 'Vivah Mahotsav' (marriage celebration), the fourth day the 'Diksha Mahotsav' (initiation ceremony), and on the fifth day, the 'Anjan Shalaka' (ritual of painting eyes onto idols) was performed. From the sixth to the tenth day, the 'Prasad Pratishtha' (consecration of the deities with offerings) was conducted, along with the installation of 'kalash' (water pots), 'dhvaj' (flags), and 'dand' (poles) on the temple. On the eleventh day, the idols ('bimba') were brought into the temple and installed. The main deity ('mulnayak') installed was the Pratima of Shri Dharmanath, the twenty-first Tirthankar.

This prasasti (eulogy) was composed by Pandit Sarup, a disciple of Mahopadhyaya Hitpramod, from the Kshemshakha of the Brihadvrittar Gachh. It was written by Viyaram, the son of the Mod Chaturvedi Brahmin Vanamalidas, and carved by Ishak, the son of Salat Rehman.

Page 3 Summary:

This inscription (numbered 557) is located on Mount Shatrunjaya, on a stone at the base of the Adhinath Tunk (peak or mound dedicated to Adhinath), before the elephant path. The inscription, written in clear Gujarati, records a resolution made by the Samast Sangh (entire congregation) on Chaitra Sud Purnima of Samvat 1867. The resolution stated that no new temple should be built in the area of the elephant path from that point onwards.

The reason for this resolution was that people had begun constructing so many temples on Shatrunjaya that it was causing obstruction to the pathways. Therefore, a meeting of the elders from various villages was convened, and this resolution was passed to halt further construction in that specific area.

In essence, the "Amdavadno Shilalekh" is a significant Jain inscription that meticulously documents the construction of the Hadisinh Jain temple in Ahmedabad and its grand consecration ceremony, highlighting the piety and philanthropic efforts of Seth Hadisinh and his wife Harkunwar. The subsequent mention of the Shatrunjaya inscription indicates a collection of such records, with the latter focusing on a regulatory measure to manage temple construction on the sacred mountain.