Anchalgaccheshwari Mahendrasinhsuri Virachit Ashtottari Tirthmala - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtottari Tirthmala" attributed to Anchalgaccheshwari Mahendrasinhsuri, as presented in the provided pages:

Title: Shri Ashtottari Tirthmala Author: Anchalgaccheshwari Mahendrasinhsuri Publisher: Lakshmichand Kunvaji Nagda Language: Gujarati, with Prakrit verses and Gujarati explanations.

Overview: The "Shri Ashtottari Tirthmala" is a devotional composition that enumerates and praises a vast number of Jain pilgrimage sites (Tirths) and the Tirthankaras (Jinas) associated with them. The text is presented as a "mala" (garland) of verses, likely intended for recitation and meditation, particularly by devotees. The compilation is made accessible through the efforts of Lakshmichand Kunvaji Nagda.

Key Contents and Structure:

Introduction and Purpose (Pages 2, 4, 6):
- The title page clearly states the work is authored by Shri Achal Ganheshwar Shri Mahendrasinh Suri and published by Lakshmichand Kunvaji Nagda.
- Page 6 clarifies the intention behind this specific publication: to extract and present the "Ashtottari Tirthmala" with its meaning from a larger, original book. This smaller booklet is intended for easy reading and understanding by children, young people, and older devotees alike.
- It mentions that the original work included other texts, such as "Shri Vidhi Pakshgacchiy Angarashya" and "Panchpratikraman Sutrani," but this edition focuses solely on the Tirthmala.
- An index (anukramanika) prepared by a knowledgeable Muni is mentioned as being included, guiding the reader through the contents of the Tirthmala.
Structure of the Tirthmala (Page 6-9):
- The Tirthmala consists of 111 Magadhi verses (gathas).
- The initial verses (1-11) offer general praise of the Jineshwar Bhagwants.
- Verses 12-15 describe the Tirthankaras of the past era (Bhootkal).
- Verses 16-18 focus on the Tirthankaras of the present era (Vartaman Kal).
- Verses 19-22 describe the Tirthankaras of the future era (Bhavishya Kal).
- Verses 23-28 offer general praise of various celestial beings and their Tirths, including Bhuvanpati, Vyantar, Jyotish, and Vaimanik Tirths.
- Verses 29-32 discuss the number of idols in different temples and the overall count of Jina idols in the three worlds.
- Verse 33 names four specific Shaashvati (eternal) idols.
- Verses 34-35 praise 170 Tirthankaras with descriptions.
- Verses 36-39 praise Jinns in the Viharmaman state (currently living).
- Verse 40 praises Jinns from all three time periods.
- Verses 41-45 specifically praise the holy site of Ashtapada and its associated Tirths.
- Verses 46-48 praise Girnar Tirth.
- Verse 49 praises Gajagrapad Tirth.
- Verses 50-55 narrate the story of Indramani Raja establishing a Tirth at Gajagrapad to humble King Dasharna Bhadra.
- Verse 56 praises Dharmachakra Tirth, which manifested from Bahubali.
- Verses 57-61 describe the Tirths of Parshvanatha Bhagwan.
- Verses 62-64 describe Rathavat Tirth, where Vajraswami observed Sallekhana, and how Saudharmendra's visit led to its prominence.
- Verses 65-66 praise Chamotpat Tirth.
- Verse 67 offers general praise of Ashtapada and other seven Tirths.
- Verses 68-71 praise Samet Shikhar Tirth.
- Verses 72-75 praise Shatrunjay Tirth.
- Verse 76 mentions Suparshvanatha Tirth in Mathura.
- Verses 77-80 praise Bharuch Tirth.
- Verse 81 mentions Rathambhan Parshvanath Tirth in Khambhat.
- Verse 82 mentions Pandwal village Tirth and Shankheshwar Tirth, both associated with Bhagwan Mahavir.
- Verse 83 praises Gudargiri Tirth in Tharkar.
- Verse 84 praises Tirths like Surachandra.
- Verse 85 praises Bhagwan Mahavir Tirth in Satyapur.
- Verse 86 praises Bhagwan Mahavir Tirth in Jawalipur.
- Verse 87 praises Yakshavasi (Sevanagiri) Tirth.
- Verse 88 describes Chandraprabhu and Parshvanatha Tirths on Jaragarh mountain, mentioning temples built by King Kumarpal.
- Verse 89 praises Tirths like Brahmanwad.
- Verse 90 mentions Shri Virprabhu in Nandiram village in Mewad.
- Verse 91 praises Chittorgadh Tirth.
- Verses 92-97 praise Abu Tirth.
- Verses 98-99 praise Mandal Tirth.
- Verse 100 praises Taranga Tirth.
- Verse 101 mentions Bhagwan Munisuvrataswami Tirth in Vayada.
- Verses 102-104 list various Tirths and regions, including Bhinmal, Anandpur, Siddhpur, Gujarat, Malwa, Konkan, Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Kutch, Panchal, Maru, Shakambhari, Hastinapur, and Shauripuri, and forts like Tribhuvanagiri and Gopagiri (Gwalior).
- Verse 105 praises 170 Tirthankaras in Adhidvipa.
- Verse 106 praises Ghar-Dehrasar (home temples).
- Verse 107 praises idols installed by gods and humans.
- Verse 108 offers salutations to Jinns of all three time periods.
- Verse 109 praises Shaashvata and Ashaashvata Tirths.
- Verse 110 describes Tirths associated with the Pancha-Kalyanaka (five auspicious events) of Jinns.
- Verse 111 mentions the poet Nararatna, whose name implies a double meaning, referring to the composer of this Ashtottari Tirthmala.
The Verses (Pages 10-46):
- The text then proceeds to provide the actual verses (in Prakrit, with Gujarati transliteration and word-for-word meaning).
- The verses begin with salutations to Arihant Bhagwants, emphasizing their qualities: conquerors of internal enemies, enlightened, omniscient, having perfect vision, having completed their father's work, self-enlightened, possessing eternal knowledge, residing in Moksha.
- The verses are filled with praise for the Jinas, describing them as:
  - Mascots of the three worlds.
  - Saviors from the ocean of Samsara.
  - Guiding lights for the three worlds.
  - Cherished jewels of the universe.
  - Refuge for the refuge-less.
  - Uplifters of the suffering.
  - Destroyers of the fear of worldly existence.
  - Destroyers of old age and death.
  - Ships to cross the ocean of sin.
  - Treasures of virtues.
  - Armor against the arrows of Kamadeva.
  - Gardens for ascetics to enjoy.
- The verses detail the names of Tirthankaras from past, present, and future eras sequentially, dedicating specific verses to individual Tirthankaras and their significant Tirths.
- Numerous specific Tirths are mentioned and praised, often with short narratives or significant associations:
  - Ashtapada: Mentioned multiple times, highlighting its importance and the presence of many Tirthankaras.
  - Girnar: Specifically praised.
  - Samet Shikhar: Revered as a major pilgrimage site.
  - Shatrunjay: Celebrated as a highly sacred Tirth.
  - Mathura: Mentioned for Suparshvanatha Tirth.
  - Bharuch: Praised extensively, with mentions of its history and the presence of multiple Tirthankaras.
  - Shankheshwar: Associated with Parshvanatha.
  - Abu Tirth: Featured prominently with multiple verses describing its grandeur and the temples built by Vimal Mantri and Vastupal.
  - Taranga Tirth: Mentioned for Munisuvrataswami.
  - Hastinapur, Shauripuri, Champanagari, Koti-Koti-Koti, etc.: Many significant locations are enumerated.
- The verses also touch upon significant events and legends, such as the story of King Dasharna Bhadra and Indramani Raja, and the divine intervention of Dharanendra for Parshvanatha.
- There's a significant focus on the enumeration and praise of Tirthankaras themselves, listing their names and sometimes their characteristics or the reasons for their association with certain Tirths.
- The Tirthmala concludes with a comprehensive salutation to all Tirths, Tirthankaras, and sacred sites, emphasizing the importance of devotion and virtuous living.

Overall Significance: The "Ashtottari Tirthmala" serves as a devotional guide and a comprehensive catalog of important Jain pilgrimage sites. It aims to foster devotion by reminding devotees of the sacred places and the virtues of the Tirthankaras. The detailed list encourages reverence and provides knowledge about the vast spiritual heritage of Jainism, making it a valuable text for understanding the geography of Jain pilgrimage and the lineage of Tirthankaras. The effort to make this text accessible to a wider audience highlights its importance in Jain religious education.