Pat Darshan - Book Summary | JainGPT

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pat Darshan" based on the provided pages, focusing on its content, purpose, and structure:

Book Title: Pat Darshan (The glory of Shatrunjaya as depicted in a 19th Century Jain Scroll) Authors: Kalpana K. Sheth, Nalini Balbir Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India ISBN: 978-81-910633-0-1 First Edition: 2010

Overall Purpose: "Pat Darshan" is a scholarly work that presents, analyzes, and translates a unique 19th-century Jain scroll, known as a Siddhacala-pata. The scroll's primary purpose is to celebrate the supreme importance of Shatrunjaya (also known as Siddhacala), a major Jain pilgrimage site in Gujarat, by illustrating and narrating the glories associated with it and the 24 Tirthankaras. The book aims to make this significant historical and religious document accessible to a wider audience through detailed textual and visual analysis.

Content and Structure:

The book is divided into three main sections:

Part I: Original Text (Pages 1-98) This section is dedicated to the reproduction and presentation of the Gujarati scroll's content. It includes:

Photographs of the Original Document: Images of the paintings of each Jina and the corresponding Gujarati text.
Text in Devanagari: The Gujarati text transliterated into the Devanagari script.
Hindi Translation: The Gujarati text translated into Hindi.
Transliteration: The original Gujarati text presented in a Latin transliteration.
- Punctuation: Western punctuation is used, with inverted commas for dialogues.
- Compounds: Hyphens are used for compounds in the transliteration.
- Dandas: Profuse use of "dandas" in the original document, which do not always function as punctuation. The "." (visarga) is treated as a sentence end marker.
- Orthography: Inconsistencies in orthography are preserved as they are considered linguistic features.
- Editorial Marks: < > indicates superfluous syllables, and () indicates restored omitted syllables.

The text systematically covers the 24 Tirthankaras, from Rsabhanatha (the first) to Mahavirasvami (the twenty-fourth). For each Tirthankara, the scroll typically provides:

A painting of the Tirthankara.
A section of Gujarati text describing their connection to Shatrunjaya, often including their life details (number of ganadharas, chief ganadhara's name, number of monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, size, life duration, color, and identifying symbol/lanchana).
Narratives of miracles, events, or stories associated with the Tirthankara and Shatrunjaya, explaining the origin of place names or the sacredness of specific locations.
A recurring phrase indicating the Tirthankara "selected Emancipation as his bride" or "reached Emancipation" at Siddhacala.

Part II: Hindi Section (Pages 98-123) This section provides further analysis and context in Hindi:

Stories Mentioned in the Scroll: Detailed explanations and elaboration of the narratives embedded within the scroll, particularly focusing on the legends associated with Shatrunjaya and specific locations on the hill.
Shravak (Layman) and Shravika (Laywoman): Information related to lay followers.
Restoration of Shatrunjaya Tirtha (Shatrunjaya Tirathoddhar): Discusses the historical and traditional accounts of the renovation and upkeep of the Shatrunjaya pilgrimage site, attributing them to various kings, sages, and devotees.
Various Names of Shatrunjaya: Explores the numerous names attributed to Shatrunjaya and their etymological or historical significance.

Part III: English Section (Pages 124-143) This section provides a scholarly analysis and context in English:

Contents of the Text:
- The Jinas' Identity Cards: Analysis and Charts: A detailed analysis of the information provided for each Jina, including the variations and gaps in the data concerning ganadharas, monks, nuns, etc. This section also presents comparative charts of this information with other Jain texts like the Avasyakaniryukti and Pravacanasaroddhara.
- The Narrative Material: Miracles, Names and Landscapes: An in-depth analysis of the embedded stories, highlighting their function in explaining the sacredness of Shatrunjaya, its locations, names, and the miracles associated with them. It discusses the influence of traditional materials and oral sources.
- Analysis of the Stories in Specific Sections: Focuses on the narratives related to key Jinas (1, 2, 4, 16, 20, 22, 24), discussing themes like the sacredness of Vimalacala, the origin of names like Pundarika, Bharata, Carcagiri, Kadambagiri, Bahubala, Hastikarpal, and Baradagiri, and the stories of Ajitanatha, Neminatha, and Mahavira.
The Colophon: Details the historical context of the scroll, its dating (1859 V.S. / 1725 Saka), its origin in Gujarat or Western India, and its preservation at Jain Vishva Bharati University. It also identifies the likely sect (Svetambara Murtipujak).
The Paintings: A description and analysis of the 24 paintings of the Tirthankaras, noting their style, details, adherence to traditional iconography (colors, lanchanas), and the surrounding figures of devotees. It also highlights the artistic qualities and the celebratory atmosphere conveyed by the paintings.
References: A comprehensive list of primary Jain texts and secondary scholarly studies relevant to the topic.
Index of Proper Names: A detailed index of all the proper names mentioned in the text, with cross-references to the relevant sections.

Key Themes and Significance:

Glory of Shatrunjaya: The overarching theme is the supreme spiritual significance and glory of Shatrunjaya as a place for achieving Emancipation (Moksha).
Connection of Jinas to Shatrunjaya: The scroll systematically links each of the 24 Tirthankaras to Shatrunjaya, portraying them as having either attained or contributed to its sacredness.
Narrative Tradition: The book highlights the rich Jain narrative tradition, especially the stories and legends that explain the historical and miraculous origins of various sites and features on Shatrunjaya.
Iconography and Textual Analysis: It provides a scholarly approach by combining the visual (paintings) and textual (Gujarati prose) elements of the scroll, supported by comparative analyses with other Jain works.
Historical Context: The work situates the scroll within the 19th century and the broader tradition of Jain literature dedicated to pilgrimage sites.
Cultural Preservation: The book serves as a significant effort in preserving and disseminating a valuable historical Jain document.
Devotion and Faith: The narratives and paintings convey a deep sense of devotion and faith in the power of Shatrunjaya and the Tirthankaras to guide souls towards liberation.

In essence, "Pat Darshan" offers a scholarly and multi-faceted exploration of a significant Jain artifact, illuminating the deep spiritual and cultural importance of Shatrunjaya within the Jain tradition through the lives and legends of the 24 Tirthankaras.