Girnarastha Kumarviharni Samasya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Girnarastha Kumarviharni Samasya" by M.A. Dhaky, in English:

The article "Girnarastha Kumarviharni Samasya" (The Problem of Kumarvihar at Girnar) by M.A. Dhaky critically examines the prevailing notion that a significant Jain temple at Girnar (Ujjayanta Giri) was built by the Solanki king Kumarapala.

The Established Belief and Its Lack of Evidence:

• Current Identification: The temple, located at the northern limit of the main Jain temple complex on Ujjayanta Giri, has been known as "Kumarvihar" for several decades.
• Scholarly Claims: Scholars of Gujarat's history have mentioned that King Kumarapala built "Kumarvihar" on Girnar, but crucially, this is stated to be without any ancient supporting evidence.
• Conflicting Accounts: While literary references and inscriptions from Samvat 1222-1223 (CE 1266-1267) mention that the ascent path (paga/paja) to Girnar was constructed by Ambaka, son of the minister Ranig of Shriman, under Kumarapala's orders, no contemporary or near-contemporary authors, including Hemchandracharya (of the Purnatallagachchha) or Somaprabhacharya (of the Rajgachchha), state that Kumarapala built any Jain temples (jina-chaityas) on Ujjayanta Giri.

Further Examination of Later Accounts:

• Vastupala and Tejpal: Later, in CE 1232-1234, ministers Vastupala and Tejpal built new temples on Girnar. They also undertook renovations for existing temples (like those of Tirthadhipati Jin Arishtanemi and Ambikadevi), but they made no mention of anything done in "Kumarvihar".
• Absence in Later Literature: This lack of mention extends to contemporary and later writers such as Udayaprabhasuri, Narendraprabhasuri, Jaisingh Suri, Kavi Someshwar, Kavi Arisinh Thakkar, Kavi Balchandra, Merutungacharya (Prabandhachintamani, CE 1305), and Rajashekhar Suri (Prabandhakośa, CE 1441).
• Kumarapala-related Biographies: Even fourteenth-century biographies related to Kumarapala, such as Kumarapalcharitra, Kumarapala Bhupalcharitra, and various detailed accounts compiled within Kumarapalcharitra Sangrah, do not contain any mention of "Kumarvihar" being built by him.
• Girnar-Specific Literature: Furthermore, available and newly published literature related to the Girnar pilgrimage, including Revantagiri Ras by Vijayansuri (CE 1234), Girnar Kalpa by Dharmaghoshasuri (CE 1264), Sanskrit stotras by Gyanchandra and Vijayasimha (CE 1320-1325), and various works by Jinaprabhasuri (CE before 1335), Kakkasuri (CE 1337), and numerous medieval Gujarati tirthamalas, chaityaparis, and vivahalas, do not contain even a single reference to Kumarvihar.

The "Nagarative Evidence" and the True Identity of the Builder:

• Overwhelming Negative Evidence: Considering this "vast negative evidence," the article concludes that the identification of the Girnar temple as "Kumarvihar" is a "sheer illusion."
• Architectural Clues: The temple faces west and has a mulaprasad (main shrine), a gudhamandap (inner hall), and a modern rangamandap (assembly hall) replacing the original. It originally had 72 devakulikas (smaller shrines), which are now destroyed. The architectural style, angles, and ornamentation of the original temple date back to the 15th century. The kotak (ornamental archway) of the gudhamandap also exhibits 15th-century style. This strongly suggests that the builder must have existed in the 15th century.

15th-Century Literature Provides the Solution:

• Key to the Mystery: Certain literature from the 15th century, particularly tirthamalas and chaityaparis from the mid-to-late 15th century, helps resolve this issue. These texts, when describing the order of temples after the Tirthadhipati Jin Arishtanemi's temple, the Kharatarvasahi, and the Kalyanatraya, identify the last temple as being established by Punsi Kothari (also referred to as Punsi, Punai) and dedicated to Shanti Jinendra, featuring 72 devakulikas.
• Specific References:
  • "Girnar Chaityaparihati" by Hemahamsak (Samvat 1515 + 1459) states: "Kothari Punsi erected the temple of Shri Shanti Jinendra."
  • "Girnar Tirthamala" by a disciple of Vriddhatapagachchhiya Ratnasinh Suri (after CE 1453) similarly mentions this, noting the 72 deharis (shrines): "One (Munam? Punsi) Kothari's vasahi, Shri Shanti Jinendra was established. All 72 shrines are good."
  • An unnamed "Girnar Chaityaparihati" describing the pilgrimage of Sanghpati Shavraj also clarifies: "Many Jain deities, Shanti, were worshipped. Punai Kothari established it."

Identifying Punsi Kothari:

• Further Identification: The identity of Punsi or Punai Kothari is further clarified by two texts from Tapagachchha monks:
  • Panchashatiprabodha Sambandha (Samvat 1521 | CE 1465) by Shubhashilgani, a disciple of Lakshmisagar Suri, mentions in two places that during the time of Ratnashekhar Suri (disciple of Jayachandra Suri), Purnasingh Koigarik (Kothari), along with Sanghpati Latha?, built temples on Girnar Giri and performed consecrations. One section is explicitly titled "Sambandha related to the Girnar Tirtha Prasada built by Purnasingh Kothagarika," stating that under the orders of Tapagachchadhipati Shri Ratnashekhar Suri, Purnasingh Kothagarika built a great temple there and consecrated Shri Rishabhadeva.
  • Somsaukhyakavya (Samvat 1524 | CE 1468) by Somasaubhagyakavya of Pratishthasoma provides more detail. It states that Purnasingh Kothagarika, a respected shreshthi (merchant) of Bidar, built a tall temple on Girnar Giri by following the guru's instructions. Jinakirtisuri performed the consecration there, as per the order of the Gachchhanath.

Dating the Temple's Construction:

• Dating Clues: While Shubhashilgani and Somasaubhagyakavya don't give the exact year, a "Girnar-Shatrunjaya Patt" from Samvat 1507 (CE 1451) found in the Dharanvihar at Ranakpur, after mentioning the Kalyanatraya temples, shows "Punaasi Vasati." This indicates the temple was built a few years prior to CE 1451.
• Architectural Parallels: The style of the mahāvitana (ceiling) in the gudhamandap of Punasi Vasati is very similar to the three large ornate ceilings in the Kharatarvasahi, which was built before CE 1441. Therefore, the construction of Punasi Vasati likely occurred before CE 1441.
• Further Confirmation: The Kalyanatraya temple north of Punasi Vasati was renovated in Samvat 1494 (CE 1438) by Oswal shreshthi Samarasimha, who was recognized by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Ahmedabad. Notably, the consecrating acharya for this renovation was Jinakirtisuri. This suggests that Jinakirtisuri may have also performed the consecration at Punasi Vasati around the same time.
• Conclusion on Builder and Date: Thus, the temple commonly referred to as "Kumarapala's" was actually built in CE 1438. The builder was not the Solanki emperor Kumarapala but Bidar's Purnasingh Koshagarika, also known as Punsi Kothari.

Architectural Significance:

• Impressive Ceiling: The most striking feature of the temple today is the gudhamandap's large karotik (ceiling) with a diameter of about 20 feet. It features intricate carvings, gold leaf work, and floral motifs, representing a remarkable example of 15th-century West Indian architecture. This ceiling, with an additional layer compared to those in Kharatarvasahi, is considered particularly impressive.

In essence, the article systematically debunks the long-held belief that King Kumarapala built the temple known as "Kumarvihar" at Girnar, presenting substantial historical and literary evidence to identify Purnasingh Kothari, a 15th-century merchant, as the actual builder, with the temple being constructed around CE 1438.