Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika Author(s): Munishri Suyashchandravijay, Munishri Sujaschandravijay (compilers/editors) Original Author: Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229340/1

Overall Purpose and Nature of the Work:

The "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika" is a significant Jain text that serves as a guide to Jain pilgrimage sites and temple traditions. It's compiled by Munishri Suyashchandravijay and Munishri Sujaschandravijay, based on the original work by the esteemed Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji. The title itself, "Dwatrinshika," suggests a collection of thirty-two (or a significant number) of such devotional poems or stanzas.

Understanding "Tirthamala" and "Chaitya Paripati":

The introduction clarifies the meaning of "Tirthamala" (or "Tirthavali") and "Chaitya Paripati."

Tirthamala/Tirthavali: These are important sources of historical and other information related to pilgrimage. They describe the chaityas (temples) or pratimas (idols) of well-known and lesser-known pilgrimage sites, recounting their true or imagined history, their glory, and other related matters, accompanied by praise and veneration. The text points to earlier records of holy sites in scriptures like the Acharanga Niyukti and Nishith Churni as the origin of modern Tirthamalas.
Chaitya Paripati: These compositions, when undertaken during a journey to a village or city, sequentially list the names of derasar (temples), the names of the places they are in, and the number of Jina Pratimas housed there, while also describing their glory.

The Significance of Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji's Work:

The text highlights that Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji composed this work as a heartfelt remembrance of his own pilgrimages. Phrases like "Anansisham, pranatah, natah, vande" (I bowed down, I offered salutations) in the verses are presented as evidence of this remembrance of past journeys.

Scope and Content:

The "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika" references pilgrimage sites located across various regions and languages, including:

Geographical Areas: Girnar, Shikharji (Sammetsikhar), Shatrunjay, Nakoda, Ahmedabad, Vagad, Kuru-desh, Sorath, Khambhat, Badrinath (in the Himalayas), and many others. The text mentions that around 60 to 70 such Tirthamala compositions are available.
Specific Pilgrimage Sites Mentioned (verses 1-23): The text specifically enumerates numerous holy sites, including:
- Gujarat/Saurashtra Region: Shatrunjay, Girnar, Ghogha, Bhavnagar, Bhrugukachh (Bharuch), Hallar, Kanthal, Gujarat, Kutch, Khambhat, Shankheshwar, Shri Godhipur, Arbud (Abu), Sirohi, Mahevapur (Mevapur), Lodravpattan (Lodravpur), Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Rini Pur (near Bikaner, identified as present-day Tarana Nagar), Phalavardhika (possibly Phalvardhan Parshvanath - Medta Road?), Godwad, Ranpur (Ranakpur).
- Northern India: Ayodhya, Chandrapuri, Champanagari (Champapuri).
- Eastern India: Sammetsikhar, Rajagriha, Vaibharagiri, Vipulachalagiri, Ratnachalgiri, Swarnagiri, Udayachalagiri, Pavapuri, Vadgram, Kakandi (birthplace of Bhagwan Sambhavnath), Futua (Fatehpur?), Pataliputra (Patna).
Veneration of Jain Idols: The verses are dedicated to offering salutations and remembering the various Tirthankaras and their associated temples.

Key Themes and Philosophies:

Veneration of Pure Temples (verses 24-25): The text emphasizes the characteristics of a Jain temple worthy of worship. Such temples are established by pure Acharyas, have idols with well-concealed private parts, possess beautiful forms, are not claimed by wrong-faith followers, and are lovingly served by those with right faith (Samyaktva).
Glory of the Jain Path and Worship (verses 26-27): The work highlights the importance of the Jain path and the merit gained through Jain worship. It describes the Jain Agamas (scriptures) as the sole source of light for the pure path and the Arhat (Jina) idol as a source of purification and the eradication of faults.
Critique of Pseudo-Jains (verses 28-29): The verses strongly criticize those who, due to wrong faith (mithyatva), do not believe in the establishment of idols or who disparage the worship of revered figures. These individuals are labeled as "Jain-abhasas" (pseudo-Jains) and are predicted to face dire consequences in the cycle of rebirth.
Desire for True Devotion (verses 30-31): The author expresses a deep desire to witness the "Bhavatirth" (the true essence or presence of the Tirthankaras) and prays for unwavering devotion and the continuation of worship until the state of Vitaraga (non-attachment) is achieved.
Concluding Prayer: The final verse expresses the wish that this "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika," composed by Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji, a disciple of Ganadhara Amrutdharma Gani, may bring about the purification of the souls of the virtuous.

Author's Background (Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji):

The text provides biographical details about Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji:

Born in 1801 (Vikram Samvat) in Kesaradesar village in the Bikaner state, to a prosperous family of the Maloo caste.
Became a disciple of Amrutdharma Gani in 1812 (VS).
Received education in logic, grammar, literature, and philosophy from Rajashom Upadhyaya.
Was awarded the title of 'Upadhyaya' by the leader of his sect due to his exceptional intellect.
Authored numerous works, including commentaries on the "Gautamiya Mahakavya," "Atmabodha," commentaries on the Prakrit work "Shripal Charitra," and various devotional songs and discourses for festivals.
Passed away in 1783 (VS).
Had disciples like Kalyanjay and Vivek Jay.

Manuscript Details:

The "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika" is an unpublished work by Upadhyaya Shri Kshamakalyanji.
The manuscript described is a 2-page copy written in clean script, preserved in the Nemi-Vigyan-Kastursuri Bhandar.
It was written in the year 1848 (VS) (Chaitra Shukla Saptami).
Each page contains 12 lines, and each line has approximately 35 to 45 characters.

In essence, the "Jain Tirthavali Dwatrinshika" is a devotional compilation by a renowned Jain scholar, offering a poetic journey through significant Jain pilgrimage sites, celebrating their spiritual importance, and reinforcing core Jain principles, while also offering a critique of practices deviating from the true path.