Harshapuriyagaccha Aparnam Maldhari Gaccha Ka Sankshipta Itihas - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Harshapuriyagaccha Aparnam Maldhari Gaccha ka Sankshipta Itihas" (A Concise History of the Harshapuriyagaccha, also known as the Maldharigaccha) by Shivprasad:

This document chronicles the history of the Harshapuriyagaccha, also known as the Maldharigaccha, a significant lineage within the Shvetambara sect of Jainism during the early medieval period.

Origin and Name: The Gaccha is believed to have originated from a place named Harshapur in Rajasthan. The name "Maldharigaccha" emerged when Acharya Abhaydev Suri, a disciple of the Gaccha's first Acharya Jaisingh Suri, received the honorific title "Maldhari" (meaning "wearer of garlands" or "one who keeps garlands") from the Chalukya king Karna (1064-1094 CE). This title later became the Gaccha's alternate name.

Prominent Acharyas and their Influence:

Jaisingh Suri: The inaugural Acharya of the Gaccha.
Abhaydev Suri: Disciple of Jaisingh Suri. He was highly respected by King Karna and his successor, Jaysinh Siddharaj (1094-1143 CE). Under Abhaydev Suri's guidance, the Chauhan king Prithviraj I of Shakambhari adorned the Jain temple at Ranthambore with a golden pinnacle. He also held influence over King Bhuvanpal of Gopagiri (Gwalior) and King Rakhengara of Saurashtra.
Hemchandrasuri: The renowned scholar and disciple of Abhaydev Suri. He is credited with numerous works and identified himself as a monk of the Harshapuriyagaccha, belonging to the Prashvahanakula and Madhyamashakha lineages. His disciples included Vijayasingh Suri, Shrichandrasuri, Vibudhachandrasuri, Lakshmanagani, Munichandrasuri, Devbhadrasuri, Devaprabhasuri, Yashobhadrasuri, Narchandrasuri, Narendraprabhasuri, Padmaprabhasuri, Shritilaksuri, Rajshekhar Suri, and Vachanalarya Sudhakalash.

Sources of Information: The history of the Gaccha is documented through both literary and epigraphic evidence.

Literary Evidence: Includes the prashastis (concluding verses) of works authored by the monks of this Gaccha and a pattavali (lineage record) known as the Sadgurupaddhati.
Epigraphic Evidence: Over 100 inscribed images of Jinas (Jain Tirthankaras) consecrated by the monks of this Gaccha, dating from 1134 CE (VS 1190) to 1643 CE (VS 1699), have been found.

Key Literary Works and their Authors (Illustrating the Guru-Shishya Parampara): The document details several important works and their authors, which help trace the lineage:

Anuyogadvaravritti: By Hemchandrasuri (5900 verses). His lineage is recorded as Jaisingh Suri -> Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri.
Dharmopadeshamalavritti: By Vijayasingh Suri (VS 1191/1135 CE). His lineage is Jaisingh -> Abhaydev Suri -> Chandrasuri -> Vijayasingh Suri.
Munisuvratacharita: The only known work on the life of Munisuvrata, by Shrichandrasuri (VS 1193/1137 CE). His lineage is Jaisingh Suri -> Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri -> Shrichandrasuri. Vibudhachandrasuri, his guru-brother, assisted in writing the manuscript.
Supashvanahachariya: By Lakshmanagani (VS 1199/1143 CE). His lineage is Jaisingh Suri -> Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri -> Lakshmanagani.
Sangrahani Vritti: By Devabhadrasuri, disciple of Shrichandrasuri (early 13th century CE). His lineage is Abhaydev Suri -> Chandrasuri -> Shrichandrasuri -> Devabhadrasuri.
Pandavacharitamahakavya: By Devaprabhasuri. His lineage includes Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri -> Vijayasingh Suri -> Shrichandrasuri -> Munichandrasuri -> Devanandsuri (mentor) -> Devaprabhasuri (author), with assistance from Yashobhadrasuri and Narchandrasuri. The approximate date is 1214 CE.
Katharatnasagara (also Katharatnakara): By Narchandrasuri, disciple of Devaprabhasuri and preceptor to the minister Vastupal. Its manuscript dates to 1253 CE (VS 1319). His lineage includes Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri -> Shrichandrasuri -> Munichandrasuri -> Devanandsuri -> Devaprabhasuri -> Yashobhadrasuri -> Narchandrasuri.
Alankaramahodadhi: By Narendraprabhasuri, disciple of Narchandrasuri (VS 1280/1226 CE). His lineage is Abhaydev Suri -> Hemchandrasuri -> Shrichandrasuri -> Munichandrasuri -> Devanandsuri -> Devaprabhasuri -> Yashobhadrasuri -> Narchandrasuri -> Narendraprabhasuri.
Nyayakandalipanjika: By Rajshekhar Suri (VS 1385/1329 CE). His lineage is a long one, starting with Abhaydev Suri and including Hemchandrasuri, Shrichandrasuri, Munichandrasuri, Devaprabhasuri, Narchandrasuri, Padmdev Suri, and Shritilaksuri, leading to Rajshekhar Suri.
Sangeetopanishatsaroddhara: By Vachanalarya Sudhakalash (VS 1406/1350 CE). His gurus were Shritilaksuri and Rajshekhar Suri, tracing back to Abhaydev Suri.

Epigraphic Evidence: A detailed table lists inscribed images of Jinas from VS 1190 to VS 1415. Notable figures mentioned in these inscriptions include Lakshman Bhajak, Vadichandra Suri, Devanandsuri (VS 1259), Narchandrasuri (VS 1288), Narendraprabhasuri (VS 1288), Manikychandrasuri (VS 1298), Prabhanandsuri (VS 1321, 1337), Ratnadev Suri (VS 1344), Padmatilaksuri (VS 1352), Shritilaksuri (VS 1371), Shitalchand Suri (VS 1375), Padmdev Suri (VS 1380), and Rajshekhar Suri (VS 1380, 1386, 1393, 1409, 1415). The text establishes the identity of some individuals across different inscription dates based on contemporaneity.

Sadgurupaddhati: This gurvali (lineage record) in Prakrit, dating to the 14th century CE, provides a more extensive list of disciples of Shrichandrasuri, including Haribhadrasuri, Siddh Suri, and Mandev Suri, beyond the two mentioned in literary works. It also lists disciples of Munichandrasuri and Narchandrasuri.

Later Period and Decline: The 15th-16th centuries saw a larger number of inscribed Jina images associated with the Maldharigaccha. Prominent Acharyas from this period include Matisagarsuri, Vidyasagarsuri, Gunadundarsuri, Gunadhansuri, Gunadagarsuri, and Lakshmisagarsuri. Sarvasundarsuri, a disciple of Gunadundarsuri, composed the "Hansrajvatsaraj Chaupai" in VS 1510/1454 CE, which is a significant literary work from the 16th century associated with the Gaccha.

The scarcity of evidence from the late 16th century and the 17th century suggests a decline in the number of followers. Only two significant pieces of evidence from the 17th century are noted: the "Sindhuraprakaravritti" by Gunakirthisuri (VS 1667/1611 CE) and an inscription mentioning Kalyanasagarsuri (VS 1699). While the Maldharigaccha maintained an independent existence until the end of the 17th century, by the 18th century, its followers are found to be associated with the Tapagaccha.

Brief Introductions to Key Acharyas: The document provides biographical sketches of prominent Acharyas, including:

Abhaydev Suri: His influence on kings, his renunciation, and his peaceful demise through fasting are highlighted.
Hemchandrasuri: His extensive literary contributions and a list of his 9 authored works are provided. Details about specific works like "Anuyogadvaravritti," "Shatak Vivaran," and "Jivasamasavivaran" are given.
Vijayasingh Suri: His commentary on the "Dharmopadeshamala" is mentioned.
Shrichandrasuri: His authorship of "Munisuvrataswamicharita" and his other works are detailed.
Lakshmanagani: His contribution to "Supashvanahachariya" and his assistance to Hemchandrasuri are noted.
Devabhadrasuri: His works and lineage are discussed.
Devaprabhasuri: His "Pandavacharitamahakavya" and other literary efforts are highlighted.
Narchandrasuri: His role as a preceptor to Vastupal and his literary works, including "Katharatnasagara" and the inscriptions for Vastupal, are described.
Narendraprabhasuri: His work "Alankaramahodadhi" and other compositions for Vastupal are mentioned.
Rajshekhar Suri: His major works like "Nyayakandalipanjika" and "Prabandhakosha" are listed, along with the inscribed images he consecrated.
Sudhakalash: His work "Sangeetopanishatsaroddhara" and its relation to an earlier work are explained.

In essence, the text meticulously traces the lineage, literary output, and socio-historical impact of the Harshapuriyagaccha/Maldharigaccha, showcasing the scholarly and spiritual contributions of its esteemed Acharyas.