Jain Shila Lekh Sangraha 01 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shila Lekh Sangraha 01" by Hiralal Jain, based on the provided pages:

Overview:

"Jain Shila Lekh Sangraha 01" (Collection of Jain Inscriptions, Part 1) is a monumental work compiled and edited by Hiralal Jain and published by the Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala Samiti. This book aims to systematically collect and present inscriptions related to the Digambara Jain tradition, which are scattered across various ancient sources like stone inscriptions (shila lekha), copper plates (tamrapatra), idol inscriptions (murti lekha), and colophons in manuscripts (granth prashasti). The primary goal is to facilitate the study and reconstruction of Jain history, religion, and society.

Publisher and Publication Details:

Publisher: Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala Samiti
Author/Editor: M.A., LL.B., Sanskrit Professor at King Edward College, Amravati, Shri Hiralal Jain.
Volume Number: The 28th publication of the Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala.
Price: Two Rupees (as per page 2).
Printing: Prefaces and indexes were printed by Mangesh Narayan Kulkarni at Karnataka Printing Press, Bombay. The rest of the book was printed by A. Bose at Indian Press Limited, Banaras Cantt.
Publication Date: Amravati, March 21st, 1928.

Significance and Purpose:

The editor, Hiralal Jain, emphasizes the critical need to collect and preserve these inscriptions, highlighting that they are a rich source of information for understanding the history of Jainism and the Jain community. He notes that previous attempts to collect these inscriptions (by B. Lewis Rice and R. Narsinhachar) were in Kannada and Roman scripts and were costly, limiting access for many Jain scholars and enthusiasts. This Devanagari edition aims to make this valuable historical material accessible to a wider audience.

The book focuses on inscriptions found in Shravana Belgola, a significant Jain pilgrimage site. These inscriptions are crucial for understanding:

Jain History: They provide evidence for the activities and lives of ancient Jain acharyas, monks, poets, kings, ministers, and patrons.
Jain Religious Practices: Details about temple construction, idol installation, monastic traditions, ascetic practices (like Sallekhana), and religious donations.
Jain Social and Political History: Insights into the interaction of Jainism with various dynasties and the socio-political landscape of ancient and medieval India.
Linguistic and Paleographic Studies: The inscriptions offer valuable data for studying the evolution of scripts and languages.

Content and Structure:

The book is meticulously structured to cover the inscriptions found in and around Shravana Belgola. The introduction and the body of the work are organized as follows:

Introduction (Bhumika):
- Sravana Belgola Monuments: A detailed description of the historical and religious significance of Shravana Belgola as a pilgrimage site.
- Geographical Layout: Explanation of the two main hills, Vindhyagiri (Dodda Betta) and Chandragiri (Chikka Betta), and their respective importance.
- Chandra Giri: Detailed descriptions of various Jain temples (bastis) on this hill, including:
  - Parshvanatha Basti (containing a large statue of Parshvanatha and a Manastambha).
  - Kattale Basti (noted for its dark interior and origin linked to Gangraja).
  - Chandra Gupta Basti (believed to be constructed by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya).
  - Shantinatha Basti.
  - Suparshvanatha Basti.
  - Chandaprabha Basti (possibly associated with King Shivamara).
  - Chamundaraya Basti (identified with the construction by Minister Chamundaraya).
  - Shasana Basti (linked to Indrakula Griha).
  - Majjigan Basti.
  - Eradukatte Basti.
  - Savatigandharva Basti (associated with Queen Shantala Devi).
  - Terin Basti (associated with Bahubali).
  - Shantishvara Basti.
  - Kuge Brahmadeva Pillar (commemorating King Marasimha II).
  - Mahanavami Mandapa.
  - Bharateshwara structure and statue.
  - Iruve Brahmadeva Temple.
  - Kanchin Dane (a tank).
  - Lakshana Sagara tank.
  - Bhadra Bahu's Cave.
  - Chamundaraya's Rock.
- Vindhyagiri: Focuses on the monumental statue of Gommateshwara (Bahubali) and its installation.
  - Gommateshwara Statue: Detailed description of its immense size (57 feet), artistic merit, and the controversy around its measurement. The text discusses various scholars' opinions on its height and the possibility of it being carved from a single rock.
  - Detailed measurements from various sources are provided.
  - The narrative of Chamundaraya's role in the statue's creation is recounted, drawing from various texts like Bhuja-balishataka, Gommateshwara Charita, etc.
  - The date of installation is debated, with a strong argument for March 23, 1028 AD.
  - Other structures on Vindhyagiri like the enclosure, talgharas, Brahmadeva pillar, Gullakaji statue, Mandapas, and inscriptions are also mentioned.
- Sravana Belgola Town: Description of temples within the town, such as Bhandari Basti, Akkana Basti, Siddhanta Basti, Danashale Basti, Nagara Jinalaya, Mangayi Basti, Kalyani tank, JaliKatte tank, Chennan tank.
- Villages Around Sravana Belgola: Descriptions of monuments in nearby villages like Jinanathapura (Shantinatha Basti, Areghal Basti), Hale Belgola, and Sannehalli.
- Historical Utility of Inscriptions: Discussion on the importance of inscriptions for tracing dynasties and the historical debate surrounding Chandragupta Maurya's association with Bhadrabahu and Shravana Belgola.
- Dynastic Records: Detailed accounts of various dynasties mentioned in the inscriptions, including the Ganga dynasty, Rashtrakuta dynasty, Chalukya dynasty, Hoysala dynasty, Vijayanagar dynasty, and Mysore dynasty.
- Lists of Acharyas: Comprehensive genealogies and lists of Jain acharyas, establishing lineage and historical timelines.
- Classification of Sects: Discussion of the Sangha, Gana, Gachchha, and Bali divisions within Jainism.
- Purpose of Inscriptions: Categorization of inscriptions based on their purpose – memorials for Sallekhana, temple construction, idol installation, land grants, pilgrimage records, eulogies, etc.
- Estimating Contemporary Milk Prices: Evidence from inscriptions is used to infer historical milk prices.
Inscriptions (Lekha):
- The main body of the book presents the actual inscriptions. These are numbered sequentially, with cross-references to previous editions (Rice and Narsinhachar).
- The inscriptions are presented in Devanagari script.
- Where necessary, explanations or summaries of the inscription's content are provided, particularly for those with Kannada portions.
- Verse numbering is included for easier reference.
- Footnotes are used to highlight variations in readings from previous editions or to provide additional context.
Indexes (Anukramanika):
- Two indexes are provided: one for general names and terms, and another specifically for Jain monks, poets, and works.

Key Themes and Findings:

The Chandragupta-Bhadrabahu Connection: The book extensively discusses the traditional Jain account of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's renunciation and pilgrimage with Bhadrabahu to Shravana Belgola, supported by various inscriptions and literary references.
Chamundaraya's Patronage: Chamundaraya emerges as a pivotal figure in the history of Shravana Belgola, credited with the construction of the Chamundaraya Basti and the installation of the colossal Gommateshwara statue.
Hoysala Dynasty's Jain Sympathy: The inscriptions reveal the significant patronage of Jainism by the Hoysala rulers, particularly Vishnuvardhana and Queen Shantala Devi, who commissioned numerous temples and supported Jain monastic institutions.
Sallekhana Practice: Numerous inscriptions memorialize the practice of sallekhana (voluntary religious death by fasting), highlighting its prevalence and the detailed rituals described in Jain texts.
Inscriptions as Historical Data: The book demonstrates how these seemingly simple commemorative stones are invaluable resources for reconstructing the political, social, economic, and religious history of ancient and medieval South India.

Dedication and Preface:

The book is dedicated to the author's father, Shri Modi Balchandji, for his contribution to the author's education and religious knowledge.
The preface by Nathuram Premi highlights the long-standing need for such a collection and expresses gratitude to Hiralal Jain for his selfless service. He also acknowledges the indispensable contribution of the Mysore Government and its Archaeological Department.
Hiralal Jain's preface details his motivation for undertaking this immense task, acknowledging the challenges and the long process of compilation and editing, which began in 1925. He expresses his sincere thanks to the Mysore Government's archaeological directors and to Pandit Nathuram Premi for his initiative and unwavering support.

In essence, "Jain Shila Lekh Sangraha 01" is a foundational scholarly work that brings together and illuminates a vast corpus of Jain inscriptions, making them accessible and contributing significantly to the field of Jain and Indian historical studies.