Jain Remains From Rajgir - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Remains from Rajgir" by Dr. Rajivkumar:

Rajgir as a Significant Jain Center:

The book highlights Rajgir, an ancient Indian city southeast of Patna, as a historically and religiously significant location. Its antiquity is supported by archaeological findings, including N.B.P. ware dating back to the 7th century B.C., with evidence suggesting even earlier occupation. Rajgir was known by various names, including Girivraja, Rajagrha, Vasumati, Brhadrathapura, and Kusagrapura.

Rajgir's Association with Mahavira and Jainism:

Rajgir was a chief center of Jainism during the lifetime of Lord Mahavira, who reportedly spent a considerable portion of his life there. Tradition also claims it as the birthplace of the 20th Tirthankara, Suvratanatha. Jainism was prevalent in Rajgir even before Mahavira, with Srenika's father being a follower of the Parsvanatha sect. Jain scriptures indicate that Mahavira delivered his first sermon in Rajgir and converted eleven learned Brahmins as his Ganadharas (chief disciples), who also reportedly died there. The Svetambara Jain Canon often depicts Mahavira residing in the Gunasila or Gunasilaka Caitya, located outside the city.

Archaeological Evidence of Jain Remains:

The text details various Jain antiquarian remains found in Rajgir, largely belonging to the pre-Gupta period:

Sonabhandara Cave on Vaibhara Hill: This cave, dated to the 1st-2nd century A.D., contains an inscription by Muni Vairadeva who excavated two caves for Jain ascetics, with images of Arhatas installed. The cave's architectural features, including its polished interior and arched roof, bear a striking resemblance to the Maurya period Barabar caves, suggesting its construction might date to the 2nd or 3rd century B.C. Inside, a Sikhara-shaped sculpture depicts a Jain Tirthankara on each of its four faces (Chaumukha), with pedestals showing bulls, elephants, horses, and monkeys, representing the first four Tirthankaras.
Ruined Temple on Vaibhara Hill: This temple contains a central chamber surrounded by cells with Digambara images from the Gupta period. A seated Neminatha image has a fragmentary inscription referring to Chandragupta (likely Chandragupta II). The sculpture features a conch shell flanked by a Dharmacakra, and a young prince (Cakrapurusa) stands before a wheel halo. Other niches hold standing Tirthankara figures with Kushan art motifs.
Adjacent Rock-Cut Cave: In a more ruinous state, this cave features six small figures of Jain Tirthankaras carved in relief, representing Padmaprabha, Parsvanatha, and Mahavira.
Temples on Udayagiri Hill: Numerous Jain temples, built more recently, are found on Udayagiri. They typically contain "charanas" (footprints) of Tirthankaras, often in black basalt or marble, with Nagari inscriptions. The earliest of these inscriptions dates to V.S. 1504 (1447 A.D.).
Temples on Vaibhara Hill (Later Period): The text mentions a small temple built by Hukumat Rai, and another dedicated to Dharmanatha and Santinatha, containing images and a 200-year-old inscription. A larger temple built by Pratap Singh of Murshidabad is also described, featuring minarets, a cupola, a pradaksina (circumambulatory path), and an octagon chapel with charanas.
Ancient Ruined Temple Exposed by A. Ghosh: This temple, not previously mentioned by other explorers, consists of a central chamber facing east, surrounded by a court with cells containing niches for images, primarily of Tirthankaras. It has inscriptions, one on a Mahavira image dating to the 5th Century A.D., suggesting it might be the oldest shrine at the site. Notable sculptures include a seated figure on a throne supported by a female figure, with lions and a wheel on the pedestal and musical instruments on the halo. Another image is of Rsabhadeva, with bulls and a wheel on its pedestal, bearing an inscription from the 8th century A.D. dedicating it as a pious gift from Acharya Vasantanandin. Loose sculptures of Parsvanatha and Mahavira, and an image with a horse pedestal (Sambhavanatha) are found in the cells. A sculpture depicts a heavenly scene with figures and an Adi-Jina figure. Neminatha is also represented in another room.
Ruins on Vipula Hill: Broadley's account mentions two Jain temples dedicated to Hemanta Sadhu and Mahavira. Further away, a large platform supports four more recent Jain temples dedicated to Chandraprabha, Mahavira, Munisuvrata (said to be born in Rajgir), and one containing four charanas dedicated to Mahavira, Parsvanatha, Santinatha, and Kunthunatha.
Maniyara Math: Originally a small Jain shrine built in 1780 A.D., this site yielded small figures, including one resembling Parsvanatha with a seven-headed serpent hood.
Cave in Udayagiri Hill: This cave houses an ancient image of Parsvanatha with a serene expression and an artistically rendered serpentine hood, considered a fine specimen of ancient sculpture.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that Rajgir remains an active center of Jainism, with extant remains of shrines and sculptures. Jainism continues to attract devotees from across the country to visit its various shrines located on the five hills of Rajgir.