Hastikundina Lekho - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Hastikundina Lekho" based on the provided PDF pages:

Book Title: Hastikundina Lekho Author(s): Jinvijay Publisher: Z_Prachin_Jain_Lekh_Sangraha_Part_02_005113_HR.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249648/1

This document is a collection of Jain inscriptions, with a significant portion dedicated to the "Hastikundina Lekho" (Inscriptions of Hastikundi). The provided text focuses on describing and analyzing several inscriptions found at or related to the ancient Jain site of Hastikundi (modern-day Hathundi).

Key Inscriptions and Findings:

Inscription No. 318 (The Primary Hastikundi Inscription):
- Publication: This inscription was initially published in "Epigraphia Indica" (Vol. 10, pp. 17-20) by Pandit Ramkaran of Jodhpur.
- Discovery and Relocation: It was first discovered by Captain Burt near the village of Bijaipur in Jodhpur state while he was traveling from Udaipur to Shrihi near Mount Abu. It was later moved to a Jain dharamshala in Bijaipur, then to the state's historical research department, and finally to the Ajmer museum with the permission of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
- Physical Description: The inscription is carved on a single stone, measuring approximately 2 feet 8 inches wide and 1 foot 4 inches high. It contains 32 lines in total, with the first two lines being the most damaged. The script is Nagari, similar to the Harsha inscription of Vigraharaja dated to Vikram Samvat (V.S.) 1080.
- Dual Inscriptions: The stone actually contains two distinct inscriptions.
  - First Inscription: This inscription is in 40 verses and dates to V.S. 1053. It comprises 22 lines.
  - Second Inscription: This inscription is in 21 verses and dates to V.S. 996. It comprises 10 lines.
- Hypothesis on Origin: The compiler suggests that the inscriptions might have originally been carved on separate stones and later copied onto the same stone due to damage or a desire for preservation. The presence of the V.S. 996 inscription below the V.S. 1053 inscription is noted as unusual if they were originally separate.
- Content of the First Inscription (V.S. 1053):
  - Author: Composed by Suryacharya, as stated in the final verse.
  - Praise of Jain Tirthankaras: The initial verses (1-2) praise Jin-Deva (Tirthankaras).
  - Royal Lineage: The third verse describes a royal dynasty, though the name is lost.
  - Kings Mentioned:
    - Harivarma (Verse 4)
    - Vishwaraja (Verse 5). This king is identified as belonging to the Rashtrakuta (Rathod) dynasty.
    - Vidagdha Raja (Verse 6): This king, following the teachings of Acharya Vasudeva, built a Jain temple in Hastikundi. He also gifted gold equivalent to his father's body weight, dedicating two parts to the deity and one part to the Acharya.
    - Mammat Raja (Verse 8): Successor to Vidagdha Raja.
    - Dhavalraja (Verse 8 onwards): Successor to Mammat Raja. Approximately 10 verses are dedicated to praising Dhavalraja's virtues.
  - Historical Events:
    - Dhavalraja provided refuge to the Gurjara forces when Munjaraj of Malwa attacked and defeated them in Mewar (Verse 10). Munjaraj is identified with the well-known Vapathi Munja of Malwa, who flourished around V.S. 1031-1050. The king of Mewar at the time was likely Khuman. Ahada, near modern Udaipur, is identified as the 'Aghat' location in Mewar.
    - Dhavalraja saved King Mahendra from being defeated by Durlabhraja (Verse 11). Durlabhraja is identified with the Chauhan king Vigraharaja's brother from the Harsha stone inscription (V.S. 1030). Mahendra is identified as the son of Vighrapal and father of Lamana, according to the Nadol Chauhan inscription.
    - Dhavalraja sheltered Dharani Vah, the unprotected ruler of the territory destroyed by Mulraj (Verse 12). This Mulraj is confirmed as the Chalukya Mulraj. The identity of Dharani Vah is uncertain but possibly a Paramara king, who might have been the ruler of Marwar according to legends.
  - Praise of Dhavalraja: Verses 13-18 generally praise Dhavalraja's qualities.
  - Abdication and Renunciation: Dhavalraja, in his old age, enthroned his son Balaprasad and renounced worldly life (Verse 19).
  - Capital City: The capital city, Hastikundi (Hathundi), is described in verses 20-21 (general praise) and 22-27 (descriptive, not historical).
  - Acharya Shantibhadra: Acharya Shantibhadra, a respected figure even by great kings, resided in Hastikundi (Verse 28). Verse 29 is also a praise of this Suri. Verse 30 states that Shantibhadra succeeded Acharya Vasudeva, who was the guru of Vidagdha Raja.
  - Temple Renovation and Consecration: Under the guidance of Shantibhadra Suri, the community (Goshthi/Gehi-Sangh) renovated the temple of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva (Verse 33). Verses 34-35 describe the temple decoratively. Verses 36-37 mention that the temple was originally built by Vidagdha Raja and was renovated due to decay. On Magh Sud Sud 13, V.S. 1053, Shanti Suri consecrated a beautiful idol of the first Tirthankara.
  - Donations: Verse 38 recalls Vidagdha Raja's gold donation and mentions that Dhavalraja, with his son, gifted a well named Pipala, complete with an Arghatta (water-lifting device), to the temple.
  - Prayer for Longevity: The inscription prays for the temple's existence until the sun and moon (Verse 39).
  - Praise of Composer: Verse 40 names Suryacharya as the composer and praises the inscription.
- Prose addition: A prose line follows, stating the date of consecration: Sunday, Magh Sud 13, V.S. 1053 (January 24, 997 CE according to Prof. Kilhorn). The idol of Rishabhadeva was made by Shravakas named Nahak, Jind, Jas, Samp, Purabhadra, and Gami for the destruction of karma and liberation.
Content of the Second Inscription (V.S. 996):
- Similar to First Inscription: This inscription of 21 verses is similar to the first, elaborating on the grants and donations mentioned in the first inscription.
- Praise of Jainism: Jainism is praised in the first verse.
- Kings Mentioned: Harivarma (Verse 2), Vidagdha Raja (Verse 3), and Mammat Raja (Verse 4).
- Royal Edict: Mammat Raja reissued a new royal decree (Shasanpatra) to uphold his father's grant.
- Grants in Hastikundi: Following the instruction of Acharya Balabhadra (likely Vasudeva), Vidagdha Raja built a temple in Hastikundi. He issued an edict concerning various taxes and levies for the temple's support:
  - 1 Rupee per 20 Pithiyas of goods brought for sale.
  - 1 Rupee per cart carrying goods.
  - 1 Karma per ghada (pot) from oil mills.
  - 13 Chelika of betel leaves from Bhats.
  - 1 Palak per person from gamblers.
  - 4 seers of wheat and barley per Arghatta (well).
  - 5 Pal of grain per Peda.
  - 1 Vipaka currency coin per Bhar (2000 Pal).
  - 10 Pal each for every Bhar of cotton, brass, saffron, and madder.
  - 1 Manak for every Drona of grains, barley, lentils, salt, resin, etc.
- Distribution of Grants: Three parts of these donations were for the Lord (temple), and one part was for the Acharya as educational expenses.
- Dates: This edict was issued by Vidagdha Raja in Ashadh, V.S. 973, and reconfirmed by Mammaraja in Magh, V.S. 996.
- Continuity: The final verse states that this decree should remain in the lineage of Keval Suri as long as mountains, earth, sun, Bharatvarsha, Ganga, Saraswati, constellations, netherworlds, and oceans exist.
- Carving: The inscription concludes by stating that Sutradhar Satyageshwar carved this inscription in V.S. 973 and 999.
Inscriptions Nos. 319-322 (Related to Hathundi/Mahavir Temple):
- Location: These inscriptions are found on different pillars in the Mahavir temple located one mile from Hathundi village. This place is historically known as "Rata-Mahavir" and is considered a pilgrimage site.
- Connection to Primary Inscription: The primary inscription (No. 318) was also found in this same temple by Colonel Burt.
- Temple Identification: While inscription No. 318 refers to a Rishabhadeva temple, the current temple is dedicated to Mahavir. The compiler notes that the temple appears to be very old, as suggested by these inscriptions.
- Historical Context and Debate:
  - Shilavijay's Tirthmala: Mentions Hathundi as a place of Mahavir Puri.
  - Jintilak Suri's Tirthmala: Lists Hathundi among villages with Mahavir temples.
  - Compiler's Speculation: There's a discussion about whether the current Mahavir temple was originally the Rishabhadeva temple, or if a separate Rishabhadeva temple existed and its inscription was moved. The fact that Colonel Burt found the inscriptions in the Mahavir temple's wall supports the idea that it might have originally housed Rishabhadeva. Alternatively, the Mahavir idol might have been installed later.
  - Lavanyasamay's Account: Lavanyasamay's "Balabhadra (Vasudeva Suri) Ras" mentions a Mahavir temple in Hastikundi. This adds to the debate, suggesting either a reference to an ancient text or the existence of a Mahavir temple during his father's time.
- Current Status: The village currently has only one Jain household.
- Rathore Dynasty: The area was formerly ruled by Rathores, some of whom became Jains and were known as Hathundiya. Some Hathundiya Shravakas are found in other Marwar villages.
- Hastikundi Sangha: A statue of Rishabhadeva, consecrated by Vasudevacharya of the Hastikundi Sangha (not the same Vasudevacharya mentioned earlier, but from his lineage) on Phalguna Sud 8, V.S. 1325, is located in the Babela temple in Udaipur.
Detailed Breakdown of Inscriptions 319-322:
- Inscription No. 319:
  - Carved on a pillar in the sabhamandapa of the Rata Mahavir temple.
  - Dated V.S. 1335, Shravan Vad 1.
  - States that the Panchakula (committee) of Samipati (Sewadi) decided to provide 24 Dama annually for the naicha (worship/upkeep) of Shri Rata Mahavir from the mandapika (toll collection point).
- Second Inscription below No. 319:
  - 6 lines, dated V.S. 1336 (the following year).
  - Adds 12 Dama to the previous 24 Dama for the welfare of Seth Nag by Seth Arsinha, making the total annual contribution from Samipati's mandapika 36 Dama.
- Inscription No. 320:
  - Carved on another pillar in the same sabhamandapa.
  - Dated V.S. 1345, Bhadrava Vad 9, Friday.
  - Under the rule of Samantsingh of Nadol (Chahaman dynasty), the Hakim of Samipati and the Panchakula decided to provide 24 Dama annually for the naicha of Shri Mahavir Dev of Hathundi village.
  - Written by Krishnavijay.
- Inscription No. 321:
  - Carved below the eastern verandah of the same temple.
  - Dated V.S. 129 (likely a typo and should be V.S. 1329 or similar, given the context of other inscriptions), Chaitra Sud 11, Friday.
  - Mentions that Purnachandra Upadhyay, disciple of Ratnaprabha Upadhyay, got two alcoves (golaka) and a spire made.
- Inscription No. 322:
  - Incomplete inscription on another pillar in the same temple.

In essence, "Hastikundina Lekho" meticulously documents and analyzes ancient Jain inscriptions, providing valuable insights into the history of Jainism, royal lineages, religious practices, and economic activities in ancient India, particularly in the region of Rajasthan. The inscriptions highlight the patronage of Jain temples by kings and merchants and the administrative mechanisms established for their upkeep.