Medpatdesh Tirthmala - Book Summary

This document is a summary of the "Medpatdesh Tirthmala," a Jain text authored by Harikalash Yati and compiled by Vinaysagar. The text is a pilgrimage account focusing on the Jain holy sites within the Medpat region, which corresponds to modern-day Mewar in Rajasthan, India.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented:

1. Purpose and Significance of Pilgrimage (Page 1):

The text begins by emphasizing the deep-seated human desire to visit and venerate Jain holy sites, whether they are sacred places (tirtha), miraculous sites (atishaya kshetra), or temples.
Pilgrims find spiritual fulfillment and consider their lives blessed by touching the sacred earth sanctified by Jain Tirthankaras.
Pilgrimage is described as a means to earn merit, perform karmic purification (nirjara), and attain higher spiritual states through devotion, worship, and praise of the Jinabimbs (images of Tirthankaras).
The difficulty of ancient pilgrimages due to dangerous and perilous routes is highlighted, often necessitating joining large, well-protected caravans (sangha).
The text mentions that Jain acharyas and munis have successfully undertaken pilgrimages to various regions of India.
It notes that numerous "tirthmalas" (pilgrimage accounts) have been written by various scholars from ancient times up to the 19th century, often detailing the number of temples and sometimes distances.
This specific "Medpatdesh Tirthmala" focuses exclusively on the pilgrimage sites within the Medpat region of India.

2. Author and Context (Page 2):

Author: Harikalash Yati is identified as the creator of this work. However, no further biographical information about him is known.
Lineage: Harikalash Yati identifies himself as belonging to the Rajagachchhiya tradition and being a descendant of Dharmaghosh Suri.
Dharmaghosh Suri: This prominent Jain Acharya lived in the 12th century. The Rajagachchha became known as the Dharmaghoshgachchha after him. He was a devout follower of rulers like Vigrahraj Chauhan and Arnoraj of Shakambhari.
Dating the Work: The author did not explicitly mention the date of composition. However, the absence of the famous Ranakpur temple (built during the time of Maharana Kumbhakarna) and the mention of the Kirti Stambh (Jain Kirti Stambh, dated 13th-14th century) in the text, along with the inclusion of Idar (which came under Mewar's control in the 13th-14th century), leads to the estimation that the work was composed before the destruction of Chittorgarh by Sultan Alauddin Khilji in Vikram Samvat 1360 (1303 CE). The author's personal opinion places the composition in the early 14th century.
Harikalash Yati's Scholarship: He is described as a profound scholar of Sanskrit literature, prosody (prosody), and "chitra kavyas" (pictorial poems or poems with visual elements), possessing a strong command of grammar.

3. Content and Key Sites Mentioned (Pages 3-6): The "Medpatdesh Tirthmala" describes various Jain temples and sites in the Medpat region, often providing descriptions of their location, architectural features, and principal deities. Here are some of the key sites mentioned:

Nagahrada (Nagda): Mentions the temple of Navkhanda Parshvanath and a total of 11 Jain temples, including those of Shantinath and Mahavir. It also notes the presence of a statue of Vagdevi (Saraswati).
Devakulpataka (Delwara): Describes three temples adorned with golden finials and featuring 24 "devakulikas" (small shrines within a temple). These temples are dedicated to Mahavir, Rishabhdev, and Shantinath. It is mentioned that Shantinath here was also venerated by Gurudharmasuri.
Aghatpur (Ahar): Characterized by beautiful water tanks, it's a place of learning and is described as being filled with various flowering trees. It houses 10 Jain temples, with Parshvanath, Adidev, and Mahavir being prominent.
Ishpallipur (Isawal): The text refers to the very ancient statue of Adinath, dating back to Vikram Samvat 300, as being continuously venerated.
Majjapadra (Majavada): Surrounded by challenging mountains, this place has a grand chaitya (temple complex) with 52 Jinālaya (Jain temples), and the principal deity is Parshvanath. Shantinath is also mentioned.
Pataka (Badoda/Banswada): Features a prominent temple of Mahavir Swami and another temple of Parshvanath with golden hue, along with 24 mandapikas (pavilions).
Matsyendrapur (Machind): Mentions temples of Parshvanath and Shantinath, including a black-hued Parshvanath.
Kapilvataka (Possibly Kelwara): Described as a capital city amidst mountains, it has five Jinālaya with grand toranas (arches), dedicated to Neminath, Parshvanath, and others.
Vairata/Vardhanpur (Badnor): Situated amidst high hills, it has thirteen Jinālaya adorned with toranas, with Adinath as the principal deity. A temple of Parshvanath is also mentioned.
Mandil (Mandal): Contains five temples of Jineshvaras, with Neminath as the principal deity. The statue of Shantinath is described as eight hands high.
Prajnarajimandala (Mandalgarh Fort): Houses temples of Rishabhdev and Chandraprabh.
Vindhyapalli (Bijolia): Features prominent temples of Shantinath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir Swami.
Chitrakut (Chittorgarh Fort): Described with flowing waterfalls, a tall Kirti Stambh, water tanks, and a river with a bridge. It highlights the large temple of Chintamani Parshvanath (known as Somchintamani) and 22 other temples dedicated to Rishabhdev and others.
Karahatak (Kareda): Has a temple with three mandapas and 24 dehariyas (sanctuaries), housing 72 Jinālaya.
Other Locations: The text also lists many other places like Salera, Jahajpur Mandal, Varipur, Thana, Changika, Vairatdurg, Banheda, Ghasa, Dikasi (Dabok), Anihrad, Nachpur, Dungarpur, and Idarpur, mentioning various Jain temples and deities within them.
Taranga: Mentions the temple of Ajitnath built by Kumarpal and venerated by Dharmasuri.
Other sites: Aarash, Posina, Deverika, Chaitra, and Changapur are also mentioned.

4. Concluding Remarks (Pages 6-7):

The author reiterates that the Medpat region is mountainous and filled with numerous large temples dedicated to Tirthankaras, adorned with flags and finials. He states that he has seen many but not all of them.
He offers his daily salutations to all the Jineshvaras in the region, both those he has seen and those he hasn't, for the growth of right faith (samyaktva).
He extends his respects to all Tirthankaras in the three worlds, worshipped by gods and humans, whether eternal or non-eternal.
The text concludes by stating that Harikalash Yati, in devotion and with a happy heart, composed this "tirthmala" for his daily remembrance and for the increase of merit.
The manuscript is preserved in the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute, Jodhpur.
The document also provides a list of the various poetic meters (chandas) used in the text and notes some difficulties in deciphering certain verses.
It highlights the rich Jain heritage of the Mewar region, mentioning significant acharyas, patrons, and historical figures, lamenting that its fame in the Jain community is not as widespread as it should be.

In essence, the "Medpatdesh Tirthmala" by Harikalash Yati is a significant historical and religious document that serves as a guide to Jain pilgrimage sites in the Mewar region of India. It offers insights into the Jain community's religious practices, architectural traditions, and the geographical spread of Jainism during the medieval period.