Pundarik Shikhari Stotra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Pundarik Shikhari Stotra," based on the provided content:

Book Title: Pundarik Shikhari Stotra (also known as Shri Shatrunjay Mahatirtha Paripatika) Author: M. A. Dhaky (Editor/Compiler)

Overall Purpose and Significance:

The "Pundarik Shikhari Stotra" is a devotional hymn or poem dedicated to the sacred pilgrimage site of Shatrunjay Hill (Shikharji). It serves as a "Chaitya Paripati," a descriptive catalog of the temples and significant locations on the hill. Such works were crucial in the medieval period for guiding pilgrims, preserving the history of the temples, and expressing religious devotion. This particular stotra is notable for being composed in Sanskrit, unlike many other contemporary "Paripatis" which were in Prakrit, Apabhramsha, or early Gujarati. Its Sanskrit composition, coupled with its early date, makes it a historically significant artifact for understanding the development of Shatrunjay pilgrimage literature.

Historical Context and Dating:

The stotra is estimated to have been composed in the first quarter of the 14th century CE. This dating is based on several factors:

Absence of Later Structures: It does not mention structures built after 1320-1325 CE, such as the Khartar Vasahi.
Comparison with Jinaprabhasuri: It shares significant linguistic and thematic similarities with Jinaprabhasuri's "Shatrunjay Kalpa" (written around 1329 CE). However, it includes a mention of the "Vis Viharmaman Jina" temple, which Jinaprabhasuri omits, suggesting the stotra was composed shortly after Jinaprabhasuri's pilgrimage.
References to Earlier Structures: It refers to temples and renovations by key historical figures like Vaghbhatta (1157 CE), Samara Shah (though not directly, his temple is mentioned, implying a post-1315 CE date), Vastupala, Tejpal, Pithad, and Pethad, placing it after these events.
Possible Author: While the author is not explicitly named, the text, when compared with other similar works and through analysis of linguistic clues, strongly suggests Vijaychandra as the author. This Vijaychandra might be an otherwise unknown figure.

Content and Structure of the Stotra:

The stotra consists of 26 verses.

Meter: Most verses are in the Vasantatilaka meter, with the final verse in Shardulvikridita.
Recurring Phrase: The second half of the second verse, "Shriman asau vijayata giripundarikaḥ" (or variations like "Shriman asau vijayata giripundarikaḥ"), is repeated in almost every verse. This repetition creates a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the magnificence of Shatrunjay Hill.

Key Locations and Temples Described:

The stotra guides the reader through a pilgrimage on Shatrunjay Hill, describing various significant temples and landmarks in a generally sequential order:

Salutation to the Chief Deity: The stotra begins with salutations to the principal deity of Shatrunjay, Yugadi Jin (Adinath).
Palitana Town: It mentions prominent temples in the town of Palitana at the foot of the hill, including the temple of Parshvanath (built by minister Vagbhatta) and Vardhaman Jin (built by Vastupala).
Ascent to the Summit: The pilgrim then ascends, visiting the temple of Nemi Jin (built by Ashuk).
Temple Complexes on the Summit: Upon reaching the summit, the stotra describes the rows of temples, highlighting the grand renovation of the Yugadi Jin temple by minister Vagbhatta, which involved significant expenditure.
Notable Idols and Features: It mentions the "Kapoor-dhaval" (made of white marble) idol of the first Jin, and the "Amritparan" (auspicious gateway) at the entrance.
Historical References: The stotra refers to the installation of idols by Javad Shah and the traditional account of the idol made from a radiant jewel found on the hill.
Iconography: It describes the paired images of Pundarik Swami flanking the main idol of Yugadi, and the Parshvanath temple built by Samar Shah.
Ancient Munis and Temples: It mentions the "Kotikoti Chaitya" related to the multitude of munis who attained liberation on the hill, and the temples of Chandranana and other Viharmaman Jinas.
Other Temples and Features: The stotra also refers to the stone carvings of the Five Pandavas and Kunti, the Chirayu Chaitva tree (a type of tree said to shed milk), and the mention of the renunciation of violence by animals like peacocks and snakes in the presence of the deity.
Order of Jinas and Temples: It lists the padukas (footprints) and lepa (painted) images of the 22 Jinas starting from Ajit Jin.
Temples near the Main Shrine: The stotra details temples located near the main Yugadi shrine: Satyapura-avatara (Vir Jin) to the left (built by Vastupala) and Shakunivihar to the right. It also mentions the Ashtapada Tirtha behind the main temple.
Other Prominent Temples: It includes references to the temples representing Nandishvara, Girnar Giri, and Stambhanakpur (built by Vastupala and Tejpal).

Second Summit (North Summit):

After describing the South Summit, the stotra moves to the North Summit:

Svargarohan Prasad: It mentions the Svargarohan Prasad on the way, dedicated to Nami-Vinami and featuring two distinctive idols visible in the reflection of their swords.
Prominent Jinas on the North Summit: It points out the presence of temples for Moda Jin (Shantinath), Prathama Arhat (Yugadi Jin), Shreyansa Jin, Nemi Jin, and Vira Jinendra.
Other Significant Shrines: Finally, it mentions the temples of Marudevi (mother of Adinath) and the guardian Kapardiyaksa.

Editorial Notes and Scholarly Analysis:

The provided text includes extensive scholarly analysis by M. A. Dhaky:

Manuscript Sources: The edition is based on multiple manuscripts, including one from the Hemchandracharya Jnanamandir in Patan (designated 'B') and another from the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir in Ahmedabad (designated 'A'), dated 1417 CE. A third manuscript ('C') was also consulted for further refinements.
Temple Descriptions: Dhaky notes that the stotra focuses on the venerated idols and temples rather than architectural details like the "Indra Mandap" or surrounding walls. This is attributed to the author's devotional intent.
Author's Style: The poet is described as being of "medium caliber" but skilled in weaving the subject matter into the poem without excessive complexity. The language is fluent, the meter natural, and the use of figures of speech is restrained, making it easily readable and melodious.
Inclusions and Exclusions: The stotra's omission of certain later structures like the Khartar Vasahi is a key factor in its dating. The inclusion of the "Vis Viharmaman Jina" temple, absent in other contemporary works, is also a significant detail for historical dating and authorship.
Influence and Transmission: The presence of verses from this stotra in later works by Somdharma Gani (1447 CE) and Ratnamandir Gani (around 1461 CE) indicates its popularity and acceptance as an authoritative account of Shatrunjay by the 15th century.
Influence on Other Works: The stotra shows remarkable similarity in language, sound, meter, and structure to the "Arbudgiri Kalpa" by Somasundara Suri, suggesting that the latter may have used the "Pundarik Shikhari Stotra" as a model.

Conclusion:

The "Pundarik Shikhari Stotra" is a valuable historical and literary document that provides a detailed, albeit devotional, account of the temples and sacred sites on Shatrunjay Hill. Its composition in Sanskrit and its early 14th-century dating make it a significant contribution to the study of Jain pilgrimage literature and the history of Shatrunjay as a sacred site. The scholarly analysis highlights its importance in understanding the evolution of religious texts and the preservation of historical information within Jain traditions.