Kaun Sa Kundalgiri Siddhakshetra Hai

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kaun sa Kundalgiri Siddhakshetra Hai" by Darbarilal Kothiya, based on the provided pages:

The book investigates the identity of Kundalgiri as a Siddhakshetra (a place of liberation). The author, Darbarilal Kothiya, addresses the claim that the Kundalgiri located near Patera village in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh, now known as Kundalpur, is a Siddhakshetra. This claim is based on a verse in Acharya Yativrishabha's "Tiloypannatti" (4-1479), which states that Shri Shridhara, the last Kevali (omniscient being), attained liberation at Kundalgiri.

Key Arguments and Findings:

• The "Tiloypannatti" Reference: The verse, "कुंडलगिरिम्म चरिमो केवलणाणीसु सिरिधरो सिद्धो" (Kundalgirimm charimo kevalajnānīsu Shridharo siddho), translates to "In Kundalgiri, Shridhara, the last Kevali, attained liberation." This has led some to believe that the Kundalgiri mentioned is the one near Damoh.
• Two Mentions of Kundalgiri in Jain Literature: The author identifies two primary references to "Kundalgiri" as a place associated with liberation in Jain literature:
  1. The aforementioned mention in "Tiloypannatti."
  2. A verse in Pujyapada (Devanandi)'s "Nirvana Bhakti," which lists several mountains where liberation occurred, including "Varasiddhakūṭe" (a peak of great liberation) at the foot of Vaibhara mountain, and also mentions "Kuṇḍala."
• Identifying the "Kundala" in Pujyapada's Verse: The author argues that the "Kuṇḍala" in Pujyapada's verse clearly refers to "Kundalgiri," especially when considering the context of other mountains mentioned, which are known to be in Rajgir (Bihar).
• The "Pancha Shaila" (Five Mountains) of Rajgir: The text extensively discusses the "Pancha Shaila" or five mountains near Rajgir, as described in "Tiloypannatti," Harivamshapurana, and Virasen Swami's Dhavala and Jayadhavala. These mountains are:
  • Rishigiri (Rishyadrik, Rishishaila)
  • Vaibhara
  • Vipula
  • Chinna (also called Balahaka)
  • Pandu (Pandugiri) The author notes that Chinna and Balahaka are synonymous, and Rishigiri, Rishyadrik, and Rishishaila are also synonyms for the same mountain.
• Pandugiri and Kundalgiri are the Same: The crucial argument is that Pandugiri and Kundalgiri are not different mountains but are two names for the same mountain. This is supported by several points:
  • Yativrishabha's usage: Yativrishabha mentions Pandugiri in one context (Tiloypannatti, Chapter 1, Verse 67) and Kundalgiri in another (Tiloypannatti, Chapter 4, Verse 1479) without linking them to the same verse. This suggests he saw them as synonyms.
  • Description of Pandugiri: Pandugiri is described as circular (vṛttākara).
  • Meaning of Kundal: The word "Kundal" refers to a circular or ring-like shape.
  • Pujyapada's omission: Pujyapada, when listing liberation sites, mentions Kundalgiri but omits Pandugiri, implying that Kundalgiri was the more common or preferred name for that specific mountain at his time.
  • Conflation: It's plausible that Yativrishabha, upon finding the name "Kundalgiri" used for Pandugiri in Pujyapada's work, also adopted it.
• The Real Kundalgiri is in Rajgir: Based on this analysis, the author concludes that the Kundalgiri mentioned in "Tiloypannatti" and associated with Shridhara's liberation is the same mountain referred to as Pandugiri, located among the Panch Shaila near Rajgir in Bihar.
• Damoh's Kundalpur is Not a Siddhakshetra: Consequently, the author argues that the Kundalgiri or Kundalpur near Damoh in Madhya Pradesh is not the Siddhakshetra referred to in the ancient scriptures.
• Historical Context of Damoh's Kundalpur: The appendix provides historical context for Damoh's Kundalpur. While it was a site of a Jain temple and had a Bhattaraka seat, its historical significance as a Siddhakshetra is questioned.
  • The earliest known inscription is from Vikram Samvat 1757 (1700 AD), commissioned by Maharaja Chhatrasal during the renovation of a temple.
  • It is believed that the temple was built during the 15th to 17th centuries by Bhattaraks.
  • Chhatrasal's patronage and the temple's supposed divine protection (leading to victory over an army) may have led to it being considered an "Atishay Kshetra" (a place of miracles) later.
  • Crucially, Kundalpur is not mentioned as a Siddhakshetra or even an Atishay Kshetra in important texts like the Prakrit Nirvana Kanda (compiled between 11th and 15th/16th centuries) or its vernacular translation by Bhaiya Bhagwati Das (Samvat 1741). This further weakens the claim for its status as an ancient Siddhakshetra.

Conclusion:

The author strongly advocates that declaring the Kundalgiri or Kundalpur near Damoh as a Siddhakshetra would be premature and lead to a mistaken tradition. The authentic Kundalgiri, as a Siddhakshetra, is the mountain known as Pandugiri within the Panch Shaila of Rajgir, Bihar.