Chaitra Gaccha Ka Sankshipta Itihas

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chaitra Gaccha ka Sankshipta Itihas" (A Brief History of the Chaitra Gaccha) by Shivprasad:

Origin and Early History:

The Chaitra Gaccha was one of the prominent Svetambara gacchs (sects or lineages) during the medieval period. Its origin is traced back to the place called Chaitra, and its founding Acharya (spiritual preceptor) was Dhaneswarsuri. His successor was Bhuvanachandrasuri. A significant event mentioned is the advent of the Tapa Gaccha in 1229 CE (VS 1285), founded by Jagachchandrasuri, who was a disciple of Devabhadrasuri, who in turn was a successor of Bhuvanachandrasuri. This indicates that the Chaitra Gaccha predates the Tapa Gaccha, and the lineage continued through other disciples of Devabhadrasuri.

Sources of Information:

The history of the Chaitra Gaccha is pieced together through two types of evidence:

• Literary Sources: Primarily, three prashastis (inscriptions or eulogies) are mentioned:
  • The prashasti of the Bhaktamarastotra commentary composed by Gunakarasuri in 1468 CE (VS 1524).
  • A commentary on the Dashavaikalika Sutra from 1712 CE (VS 1768).
  • A prashasti of a commentary on the Samayaktva Kaumudi, written by Gunakarasuri in 1448 CE (VS 1504).
• Epigraphical Sources (Inscriptions): Numerous pratima-lekhas (inscriptions on statues) and sthambha-lekhas (pillar inscriptions) dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries CE provide crucial information about the lineage, acharyas, and branches of the Chaitra Gaccha. The text highlights that no pattavali (lineage record) of the Chaitra Gaccha itself has been found, but references to its early acharyas appear in the prashastis and pattavalis of other gacchs, particularly the Tapa Gaccha.

Key Acharyas and Lineage:

The text lists several important acharyas within the Chaitra Gaccha, with their approximate periods of activity derived from the inscriptions:

• Dhaneswarsuri: The first Acharya.
• Bhuvanachandrasuri: Successor of Dhaneswarsuri.
• Devabhadrasuri: Disciple of Bhuvanachandrasuri.
• Jagachchandrasuri: Disciple of Devabhadrasuri, who later became instrumental in the formation of the Tapa Gaccha.
• Gunakarasuri: Author of important works like Samayaktva Kaumudi (VS 1504/1448 CE) and a commentary on Bhaktamarastotra (VS 1524/1468 CE). He is believed to be connected to the lineage starting from Dhaneswarsuri.
• Charuchandrasuri: Mentioned in a prashasti from VS 1554/1498 CE.
• Other acharyas mentioned through inscriptions include Padmdevsuris, Dharmasinhsuris, Yashodevsuri, Devendrasuri, Harichandrasuri, Yasodavsuris, Devendrasuri, Dharmdevsuris, Raviprabhasuri, Shalibhadrasuri, Amadevasuri, Padmprabhasuri, Bhadreswarsuri, Narachandrasuri, Devabhadrasuri, Ajitsinhsuris, Kanakprabhasuri, Madansuri, Devchandrasuri, Amarprabhasuri, Ajitdevasuri, Hariprabhasuri, Devachandrasuri, Dharmdevsuris, Devprabhasuri, Parsvachandrasuri, Somchandrasuri, Malayachandrasuri, Gunadevasuri, Jinadevasuri, Jaynandsuri, Munitilaksuri, Viradevasuri, Ratnadevsuris, Somakirtisuri, Charuchandrasuri, Virachandrasuri, Somadevasuri, Vijaydevasuri, Lakshmidevasuri, Chandraprakasuri, Gunakarasuri, and many others.

Branches (Branches) of the Chaitra Gaccha:

The inscriptions reveal the existence of several branches within the Chaitra Gaccha, identified by their geographical locations or specific lineages:

1. Bhartrupuriya Shakha: Named after Bhartpur (modern Bhetavar in Rajasthan). Three inscriptions are associated with this branch.
2. Dharanpadriya (Tharapadriya) Shakha: Named after Tharapadra (modern Tharad). This branch is the most extensively documented, with 25 inscriptions found dating from VS 1400 to VS 1582.
3. Chaturdashipaksh: Only one inscription (VS 1506) is known from this branch.
4. Chandrasamiya Shakha: Several inscriptions (VS 1510 to VS 1547) are linked to this branch, consistently mentioning Lakshmisagarsuri as the installer of statues. The lineage before Lakshmisagarsuri in this branch included Malyachandrasuri.
5. Salshanpura Shakha: Only two pratima-lekhas from VS 1530 are associated with this branch, with Acharya Gyanadevasuri as the installer.
6. Kamboiya Shakha: Mentioned in the Rajgacchapattavali, but no other corroborating evidence is found.
7. Ashtapad Shakha: Also mentioned in the Rajgacchapattavali with no further details.
8. Shardul Shakha: A single inscription from VS 1686 (1630 CE) is associated with this branch, mentioned as an "anvaya" (lineage) of the Rajgaccha.
9. Deva Shakha: Mentioned in the prashasti of a Dashavaikalika Sutra commentary from VS 1768 (1712 CE). The origin and founders are unknown.

Activities and Nature of the Gaccha:

• The primary activity of the acharyas of the Chaitra Gaccha appears to have been the installation of Jina pratimas (statues). The extensive list of inscriptions highlights their role as officiants and patrons of such religious activities.
• While figures like Gunakarasuri and Charuchandrasuri are known for composing works or copying texts, the text suggests that, in general, the munis of this Gaccha did not extensively write their own works or commission the copying of texts. Their main contribution was in the realm of pratima pratishthapana (statue consecration).
• The text notes that apart from a few influential acharyas like Dhaneswarsuri, Bhuvanachandrasuri, Devabhadrasuri, and Jagachchandrasuri, the Chaitra Gaccha did not produce many prominent acharyas who significantly impacted the broader Svetambara monastic tradition.

Decline and Dissolution:

The Chaitra Gaccha appears to have existed from the early 12th century CE until the first quarter of the 18th century CE. The absence of any records or inscriptions after the early 18th century strongly suggests that the Gaccha ceased to exist as an independent entity around this time. Its followers likely merged with other prominent gacchas, such as the Tapa Gaccha. The text notes that branches like Salshanpura had a shorter existence, while Bhartrupuriya and Tharapadriya branches persisted for about 200 years.

In summary, the Chaitra Gaccha was a historically significant Jain lineage, primarily known for its prolific engagement in the consecration of Jina images, with its influence traceable through numerous inscriptions over several centuries before its eventual assimilation into other Jain monastic traditions.