Kavi Tirthna Lekho

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the details about Kavi Tirth and related inscriptions:

The text is an excerpt from "Prachin Jain Lekh Sangraha, Part 02," specifically dealing with inscriptions related to Kavi Tirth.

Introduction to Kavi Tirth:

• Kavi Tirth is a small village situated on the opposite bank of Khambhat (Cambay), near the mouth of the Mahi River where it meets the Gulf of Khambhat.
• The village boasts two large Jain temples: one dedicated to Adinath Bhagwan (the first Tirthankar) and another to Dharmnath Tirthankar.
• The temple of Dharmnath is particularly large and is known as a "Vanajinalay Mandir" due to its surrounding Devakulikas (small shrines or cells for deities).
• Kavi Tirth is considered a significant pilgrimage site, and occasional sanghs (pilgrim groups) from surrounding areas undertake journeys there.

Inscriptions Related to Kavi Tirth:

The document discusses several inscriptions, numbered 451 through 454, which were found at Kavi Tirth. The author personally participated in a pilgrimage to this site in Samvat 1967 (1910-1911 CE) and copied these inscriptions at that time.

• Inscription No. 451:

  • This is the main inscription, found on a stone slab in a niche to the left of the main sanctuary door in the Adinath temple.
  • The inscription comprises 32 verses.
  • The first verse praises Adinath.
  • The subsequent 12 verses mention prominent Acharyas of various tapasgachhas (lineages of monks), following the tradition of the Acharya Vijaysensuri, who consecrated the temple.
  • From the 14th verse onwards, the lineage of the temple's patron is described:
    • The family originated from Vadnagar, a renowned city in Gujarat, belonging to the Nagar caste, with the Bhadrasian gotra.
    • An early ancestor was Depal Gandhi, a religious householder.
    • His son was Alu'a, whose son was Ladik.
    • Ladik, with his wife, had two sons: Batuk and Gangadhar. Batuk became a prominent businessman.
    • Batuk had two wives, Pipati and Hiradevi. Pipati bore him a son named Kunwarji, and Hiradevi bore him two sons, Dharmdas and Suvradas.
    • This entire family, led by Bahua Gandhi, migrated from Vadnagar to Stambhatirtha (Khambhat) for trade.
    • In Khambhat, Bahua Gandhi achieved considerable wealth and respect. During this period of prosperity, he was inspired by the religious teachings of Acharya Shri Hiravijaysuri, embraced Jainism, and renounced his previous beliefs. He became a devout shravak (lay follower).
    • Witnessing the wooden and brick temple at Kavi Tirth, Bahua Gandhi decided to rebuild it in stone for permanence and to achieve great merit and success for his wealth.
    • He completely rebuilt the temple in Samvat 1649 (1592-1593 CE).
    • The consecration of this newly built temple was performed by Acharya Vijaysensuri.
  • The final verses offer blessings for the temple's longevity.

• Inscription No. 452:

  • This inscription is also found in the same temple (location not specified in detail).
  • It briefly reiterates the same facts in prose, without adding new information.

• Inscription No. 453:

  • This inscription is located in the Dhananath temple.
  • It states that during the reign of Emperor Akbar, under the authority of the Garasiya Rathod Pratapsingh, Virji, son of Gandhi Bahua of the Laghunagar caste residing in Khambhat, built a temple named 'Ratnatilak' for Dhananath Tirthankar in Kavi Tirth in Samvat 1654 (1597-1598 CE) for his own merit.
  • This temple contained fifty-two jinalayas (shrines).
  • The inscription mentions key supervisors of the construction, including Gandi Veerji, his brother Gandi Kunwarji, and Bhagavan Khub, as well as the architect Virpal (son of Satano of the Gajvar Vishwakarma caste from Rajnagar/Ahmedabad) and masons Goraji and Devji.

• Inscription No. 454:

  • This inscription is carved on the footprints of Adinath in the same temple.
  • The date is mentioned as Samvat 1956 (1900-1901 CE), Vaishakh Sud 7, Wednesday.
  • It records that Gandhi Veerdas (likely the same as Bahua Gandhi, possibly a later generation or a misremembering), along with his brothers Gandhi Kunwarji and Dharmdas, commissioned these footprints, and Acharya Vijaysensuri consecrated them. This detail is noted as possibly being incorrect or a conflation of facts.

Connection to Gandhar Tirth:

• The text briefly mentions inscriptions numbered 456-459 found on idols in the temple of Gandhar village.
• Gandhar village is in the Jambusar taluka of Bharuch district and is also considered a pilgrimage site.
• Kavi Tirth and Gandhar Tirth are often mentioned together as "Kavi-Gandhar."
• Gandhar was a significant port in the 17th century and is mentioned frequently in the works of various scholars.
• Acharya Hiravijaysuri also spent his Chaturmas (monsoon retreat) in Gandhar in Samvat 1938 (1581-1582 CE) when invited to Agra.
• The text notes that Gandhar was once a prosperous place filled with Jain followers but has declined significantly, with only a few huts remaining and the old temple in ruins. The reason for its decline is unclear, with locals attributing it to a sea surge, but the survival of the idols and temple is questioned.

Overall, the document provides valuable historical and genealogical information regarding the construction and consecration of Jain temples at Kavi Tirth, highlighting the patronage of wealthy merchants and the significant role of prominent Jain Acharyas like Hiravijaysuri and Vijaysensuri in promoting Jainism and temple building.