Harshsagar Rachit Rajsi Shah Ras Ka Sar

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Harshsagar Rachit Rajsi Shah ras ka Sar" by Bhanvarlal Nahta, based on the provided PDF pages:

Overview and Context:

The author, Bhanvarlal Nahta, presents a summary of a historical Jain Ras (a type of narrative poem) composed by Harshsagar. This Ras focuses on the life and charitable deeds of Rajsi Shah Nagda. Nahta begins by lamenting the decline in the publication and appreciation of historical Jain Ras literature, which spans approximately 800 years from the 12th century onwards. He emphasizes the importance of these works for both linguistic and historical research. He also highlights the significant contributions of Mohanlal Dalichand Desai, a dedicated researcher of Jain Ras literature, who meticulously copied numerous important Rases, including the one by Harshsagar.

The Ras of Rajsi Shah Nagda:

• Subject: The Ras details the life of Rajsi Shah, a prominent Jain layman from Navanagar (likely modern-day Jamnagar). It describes his significant contributions to the construction of a grand temple and his various acts of piety and charity.
• Historical Significance: The Ras provides valuable historical information, including details about the founding of the temple, its architectural features, and the social and religious conditions of the time. It also sheds light on the spread and influence of the Anchal Gacch sect.
• Content:
  • Temple Construction: The Ras describes the foundation laying and construction of a grand Jain temple in Navanagar, dedicated to Lord Shantinath. It details the dimensions of the temple (99 x 35 yards), its eleven levels, and its architectural elements. The text mentions the involvement of architects like Jaswant and Medha.
  • Family and Ancestry: It traces Rajsi Shah's lineage, mentioning his father Tejsi and his ancestors from the Parmar dynasty. It also enumerates his brothers and sons, highlighting their own philanthropic activities.
  • Charitable Acts: Rajsi Shah is depicted as a compassionate and generous individual. The Ras recounts his efforts during a famine, where he distributed food to the needy, and his hospitality towards visiting merchants. He also organized the distribution of "lahran" (charitable gifts) to a vast network of Jain communities across India.
  • Religious Observances: The Ras describes Rajsi Shah's pilgrimage to Shatrunjay, including the rituals performed and the places visited. It also mentions a pilgrimage undertaken by his son Ramu to the temple of Gaudi Parshvanath.
  • Social Impact: The text highlights Rajsi Shah's efforts to convert "Mudhgyatiya" (ignorant or misguided) people to Jainism, particularly two hundred "Gothis." It also mentions the second consecration of the Navanagar temple in 1696 and the associated festivities and donations to Brahmins.
• Comparison with Another Ras: Nahta notes that another Ras about Rajsi Shah, composed by Megh Kavi in 1610, exists. Harshsagar's Ras is larger and later, offering a more detailed account. However, in terms of poetic quality, Nahta considers Harshsagar's Ras to be of a lower standard, with some unclear sentiments and an overwhelming list of names.
• Dating Discrepancy: The Ras mentions a difference in the date of the temple's foundation stone laying between the first Ras (1668) and this one (1672).

Additional Rases Summarized:

• Saraladevi's Ras: This Ras describes Saraladevi's pilgrimage to Girnar Tirtha in 1692, undertaken with a large following. It details her pious activities, including observing fasts and performing rituals. It also traces her lineage to the Parmar dynasty and the story of how her ancestor, Nag, founded the Nagda gotra.
• Ranade's Ras: This Ras highlights the charitable deeds of Ranade, Rajsi Shah's wife. It describes her organizing a large communal feast for 84 castes, including various delicacies. She also generously donated to the needy and honored guests with perfumes and gifts. The Ras includes philosophical verses emphasizing the suffering in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and the deceptive nature of worldly pleasures.

Geographical Scope and Influence:

The text lists numerous places across India where Rajsi Shah's fame and influence extended through his "lahran" distribution. This extensive list (from page 5) demonstrates the widespread reach of the Anchal Gacch and the significant impact of Rajsi Shah's generosity across various regions, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Sindh, and even parts of modern-day Pakistan. The text also mentions that Rajsi Shah's fame was known in distant lands with unusual inhabitants, indicating the perceived reach of his reputation.

Author's Concluding Remarks:

The author concludes by reiterating the importance of further research and publication of architectural details and inscriptions related to the temples in Navanagar. He believes that the local Jain community should undertake this task to preserve this valuable heritage.

In essence, the summary provides a detailed account of Rajsi Shah Nagda's life as a pious and charitable Jain layman, his significant role in temple construction, his extensive network of charitable activities, and the broader historical and religious context of his time, as depicted in Harshsagar's Ras. It also touches upon the virtuous deeds of his wife, Saraladevi, and Ranade.