Ek Aetihasik Jain Prashasti - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ek Aetihasik Jain Prashasti" based on the provided pages:

The book "Ek Aetihasik Jain Prashasti" (A Historical Jain Eulogy) authored by Punyavijay and published by Punyavijayji, is a scholarly examination of historical Jain inscriptions and literary works that preserve and celebrate not only Jain literature but also significant non-Jain literature. The text highlights the Jain community's role in safeguarding and annotating diverse literary traditions, driven by genuine appreciation and a love for literature.

Key Themes and Content:

Jain Preservation of Literature: The introduction emphasizes that Jain scholars and patrons have actively protected, copied, and commented upon various literary works, both Jain and non-Jain. This preservation was not solely for refutation but also out of admiration and a passion for literature. Examples cited include the works of Haribhadrasuri, Hemchandracharya, and Yashovijayopadhyaya, as well as the preservation of non-Jain poets' works like Vatsaraja's "TS" and Sadgal's "Kurtha" in Jain Bhandars (libraries) in Patan.
- Examples of preserved non-Jain works:
  - Three copies of Mahakavi Rajashekhar's "Kavyamimansa" were found in Jain Bhandars.
  - A copy of the Buddhist text Kamalsheel with commentary was also discovered.
  - A text on the Shambhlimat doctrine, considered ancient, exists in the Patan Jain Bhandar.
  - Numerous other works on logic (Nyaya), poetry-drama, rhetoric (Alankara), astrology (Jyotisha), and ethics (Niti) are found in Jain collections, with some copies being unique and unavailable elsewhere.
- Jain commentaries on non-Jain works: The text also lists several instances of Jain scholars providing commentaries and annotations on prominent Sanskrit literary works, such as Haribhadra's commentary on Diddhaga's Nyayapravesha, Malayagiri's commentary on Dharmottara, Namisadhu's commentary on Ruyyaka's Kavyalankara, Manikchandra's commentary on Mammata's Kavyaprakasha, and Yashovijayopadhyaya's extensive commentary on Mammata's Kavyaprakasha.
Preservation of Gujarat's History: Beyond literary texts, Jain patrons have also played a crucial role in preserving accounts of Gujarat's historical figures – kings, ministers, wealthy merchants, and pious individuals – as well as the grandeur of cities like Patan.
Four Categories of Historical Records: The author proposes four categories for understanding these historical records:
1. Biographical Works: Texts that contain the lives of individuals.
2. Inscriptions: Stone inscriptions bearing names and details.
3. Eulogies within Texts: Commendatory verses written by authors at the beginning or end of their own works.
4. Eulogies written by Commission: Commendatory verses commissioned by the person for whom a text was being written or copied.
The author states that a complete understanding of Gujarat's glories cannot be achieved without all these forms of documentation, hence the necessity for collecting such literature. The "present eulogy" (Prashasti) falls into the fourth category.
The Specific Eulogy (Prashasti): The eulogy discussed in detail is presented as being related to the "Nishithachurni" (a Jain scripture) and its commentary "Visheshodeshakavyakhya."
- The "Nishithachurni" was composed by Jinadasa Mahattara.
- The commentary was written by Shri Chandrasuri, a disciple of Shri Shilbhadrasuri, in Vikram Samvat 1174.
- The eulogy itself is transcribed from a manuscript copied in Samvat 1571, which in turn was a copy of an earlier manuscript. The current printed version is based on a copy made in Samvat 1735 in Khambhat.
Genealogy and Deeds of the Dynasty: The core of the text is the eulogy detailing the lineage and charitable/religious activities of a particular family, primarily focusing on Pethad Shah and his descendants.
- Ancestry: The lineage begins with Sumati, followed by Abhu, Asad, Mesh (Moksha), Vardhaman, Chandrasinh, Paya, and then Pethad. Pethad had seven brothers: Narsingh, Ratnasinh, Chaturthamalla, Mujala, Vikramsinh, and Dharmana.
- Pethad Shah's Contributions:
  - He founded four "Gyanabhandars" (libraries/repositories of knowledge).
  - He constructed a grand temple (Chaitya) in Sunderpur (Sanderaka), near Anhilpataka (Patan), which was revered by his family deity and protector deity.
  - He built a temple adorned with golden images and a torana (archway) in Vijapur.
  - He undertook the renovation of the Neminath temple at Arbuda (Abu) mountain, built by Minister Vastupal, likening it to the liberation of his father's soul from the ocean of worldly existence.
  - He repaired and strengthened with gold a brass image of Adinath that had been left incomplete by Bhimashah.
  - In Vikram Samvat 1360, during the reign of the young king Karnadev, Pethad, along with his six brothers, performed a grand installation ceremony for a magnificent image of Lord Mahavir in a large temple in the city.
  - He then proceeded to pay homage at Siddhapura (Shatrunjaya) and Girnar, thereby sanctifying his human life.
  - He undertook six pilgrimage expeditions (Yatra).
  - During the famine of Vikram Samvat 1377, he provided relief by distributing food and other necessities to the needy.
  - Following the advice of Shri Satyasuri, he commissioned the writing of four Gyanabhandars and also utilized other funds for nine specific locations (Kshetras).
- Pethad's Descendants' Contributions:
  - Mandalik: Pethad's son was Pav (Ladhan). Ladhan's son was Ahansinh, and his son was Mandalika.
    - Mandalik renovated temples at sacred sites like Girnar and Abu.
    - He built many Dharmashalas (rest houses for pilgrims/travelers) in various villages using wealth earned through just means.
    - He was respected by many kings.
    - During the famine of Vikram Samvat 1468, he provided assistance with food and clothing.
    - In Vikram Samvat 1477, he participated in pilgrimages to Shatrunjaya and other major holy sites.
    - Under the guidance of Gyanandasuri, he engaged in religious activities like writing books and honoring congregations.
  - Parvat and Dungar: Mandalik's sons were Parvat, Dungar, and Narmad. Parvat was accompanied by his son Sahasvir and relatives like Poiea. Dungar had wife Mangaladevi and son Kanha.
    - In Vikram Samvat 1559, Parvat and Dungar performed the consecration ceremony for images they had commissioned.
    - In Vikram Samvat 1560, they undertook pilgrimages to holy sites like Jirapalli (Jirawala), Parshvanath, and Abu.
    - At the port of Gandhar, they donated copies of the Kalpasutra along with other items to various monastic halls (Upashraya) and provided packets of sugar along with silver coins to the merchants of the city.
    - Following the teachings of Shri Vivekaratna, they showed great respect for the fourth vow (Brahmacharya).
    - Under the guidance of Shri Vivekaratnasurishvara, they organized a grand festival for the installation of the Acharya (Vivekaratna), offering gifts like silk garments and honoring the assembled monks.
    - In Vikram Samvat 1571, they commissioned the writing of the "Nishithachurni" text, contributing to the establishment of scriptural repositories.
Information about Famines: The eulogy provides historical information about two significant famines: one in Vikram Samvat 1377 and another in Vikram Samvat 1468.
Acharya Vivekaratna: The text mentions that Vivekaratna attained the position of Acharya between Vikram Samvat 1560 and 1570.
Manuscript and Publication: The eulogy was found at the end of the "Nishithachurni" and "Visheshodeshakavyakhya." The manuscript itself is described as having undergone transcription multiple times, with the current version stemming from a copy made in Samvat 1735 in Khambhat. The author acknowledges that the original text contained inaccuracies, which were corrected in the published version, with original readings preserved in brackets where significant interpretation was involved. The manuscript belongs to the collection of Seth Ambalal Chunilal of Patan, currently managed by Anandji Kalyanji Trust, and Master Kunvarji Damji, whose generosity made this publication possible.

In essence, "Ek Aetihasik Jain Prashasti" serves as a valuable historical document, illuminating the Jain community's multifaceted contributions to literature, culture, and the preservation of historical records in Gujarat, particularly highlighting the philanthropic and religious endeavors of the Pethad Shah dynasty.