Patan Na Chaitya Sambandhi Be Aprakat Krutio

This document summarizes two previously unpublished Jain works related to temples in Patan, Gujarat. The works, identified by the authors Munisuyashchandravijay and Sujaschandravijay, shed light on the history and notable figures associated with Jainism in Patan.

Key Points from the Text:

• Founding of Patan: The city of Patan (originally Anhillpurpatan) was founded in V.S. 802 with the help of the Jain merchant Champa and facilitated by Shilgun Suriji, at a place called Lakhara, near a village inhabited by a community known as Dhandher. The first Jain temple was built there for Lord Parshvanath by Vanraj Chavda in the same year. Subsequently, many other temples like Mulavasati, Vimlavasati, Munjasalavasati, and Shantavasati were constructed.
• Destruction and Revival: Patan faced destruction in V.S. 1353-1356 by the army of Alauddin, led by Malik Kafur, which resulted in the damage of many Jain temples.
• The Dhandher Community: The text mentions the Dhandher community, whose ancestors were involved in the installation of Jain images in a temple in the Sthirapadiya region. They later settled in Anhillpurpatan and became known as Dhandhervadak.
• The Punamiya Gachchha: The text discusses the establishment of the Punamiya Gachchha by Chandaprabha Suri, a branch of the Chandragachchha. This new Gachchha differed by performing rituals on the full moon (Poonam) instead of the fourteenth day (Chaudas) and by encouraging householders to undertake certain pious activities like consecrations, while ascetics were advised to abstain from them.
• Prominent Acharyas: The Punamiya Gachchha had influential acharyas like Lalitprabha Suri (on the third seat) and his successor, Bhavaprabha Suri. Bhavaprabha Suri was a learned scholar who authored many works, including "Pratimashatak-Laghuṭīkā," "Jyotirvidabharaṇa-Sukhabodhika Ṭīkā," and various 'Ras' (narrative poems).
• Vira Shreshthi and His Descendants: Vira Shreshthi, from the Shrimali lineage, was a prominent layman of the Punamiya Gachchha. He established a temple for Lord Virpramatma in Veeravada and later installed its image in Patan (Dhandhervada). His deeds are further documented in a praise inscription by an anonymous poet. His descendant, Tejasi Shravak, also performed many pious acts, including the consecration of Lord Shamlapārśvanātha, the installation of the Pital Kūṭa of a thousand images, and grand ceremonies for the conferral of Acharya titles. The lineage of Vira Shreshthi is provided, tracing down to Tejasi and his family.
• Kesara and Joiti, Shivachand and Sarang: The text mentions Kesara and her daughter Joiti, and Shivachand and Sarang, whose specific roles or connection are not clearly detailed in the initial works or Vira's lineage.
• Summary of the First Work: The first work praises Lord Shamlapārśvanātha. It states that the image of Lord Shamlapārśvanātha, originally in the temple of King Kumarpal in Patan's Dhandhervada, was consecrated by the Punamiya Gachchha's acharya Lalitprabha Suri. During a period of turmoil caused by the Mlecchas (foreign invaders), the image was moved for safety by knowledgeable individuals. Later, in V.S. 1778, Vira's descendant, Doshi Tejasi, along with Bhavaprabha Suri and the entire sangha, re-consecrated this image.
• Summary of the Second Work: The second work, written in a metrical style (possibly 'Kavita'), reiterates that Doshi Vira built a temple and consecrated an image of Lord Shamlapārśvanātha from the "Choukh" (four-faced) idol in the temple of King Kumarpal. The text suggests further research into the remaining three images of the Choukh. It also mentions the temple of Lord Virpramatma in Dhandhervada, the restoration of the temple of Kalikundswami, the seven temples built by Vira Shreshthi, and the significant installation of a thousand Pital (brass) images (1024 idols) by Tejasi in V.S. 1774. The term 'Kumbhari' refers to Kumbhadiya Pada, and the last verse mentions the consecration of a new temple for Lord Adinath in Kumbhadiya Pada in V.S. 1656, along with a brief introduction to the consecrator's family.
• Guru Swadhyaya and Indranandi Guru: The document also briefly introduces a historical work titled 'Guru Swadhyaya' (meaning spiritual study). This work praises the lineage of acharyas from Sudharma Swami, the first disciple of Lord Virprabhu, up to the author's preceptor, Indranandi Suri. The text then details the life of Indranandi Suri, including his birth in V.S. 1418 in Purpataṇ (Marwar), his initiation by Udayanandi Suri in V.S. 1508 with the name 'Indranandi,' and his studies under Somjaysuri, a disciple of Ratnamandana Suri. Indranandi was appointed as 'Gani' (a senior monk) in V.S. 1530 by Somjaysuri in Siddhpur. In V.S. 1541, during a pilgrimage to Idar led by Harichand of Sanand and Soni Ambapata from Ahmedabad, Indranandi Gani was elevated to the position of Ganadhar (Acharya).
• Manuscript Location: The manuscripts for both of these works were found in the manuscript collection of the Hemchandracharya Jain Gyanbhandar in Patan.

In essence, the document provides valuable historical information about the Jain community and their religious activities in Patan, highlighting the contributions of prominent merchants, acharyas, and the architectural and devotional heritage associated with Jain temples in the region.