Rajgruhno Shilalekh

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rajgruhno Shilalekh" (The Inscription of Rajgir) by Jinvijay, based on the provided pages:

I. Discovery and Physical Description:

• Origin: The inscription was found in the town of Bihar, located 12 miles north of Rajgir, a famous ancient site in eastern India.
• Original Location: The inscription was originally part of a temple dedicated to Parshvanath in Rajgir. It was later moved to the Jain temple of Mathian Laka in Bihar. The exact time, person, and reason for its relocation are unknown.
• Physical Form: The inscription is carved onto two black stone slabs of similar dimensions.
  • Width: Approximately 17 inches.
  • Length: The first slab is 2 feet 10 inches long, and the second is 2 feet 8 inches long.
  • Script: The letters are about half an inch in size.
  • Slab 1: Contains 16 lines of text and a carving of a lotus with 20 petals on the upper left side.
  • Slab 2: Contains 17 lines of text.
  • Condition: Both slabs are slightly damaged at the top and bottom.
• Publication: The inscription was brought to light by Babu Pooranchand Nahar, a Jain scholar from Calcutta. It was subsequently published based on a rubbing (copy) provided by Shri Mohanlal Dalichand, editor of the "Jain Shwetamber Conference Herald."

II. Content and Structure of the Inscription:

• Total Text: The inscription comprises a total of 33 lines.

• Format: It is primarily in verse (padyam), with 38 verses indicated by numbers. However, parts of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and the last three lines are in prose (gadyam).

• Key Information Conveyed:

  1. Praise of Parshvanath: The inscription begins with verses praising the Tirthankar Parshvanath, for whom the temple was built.

  2. Description of Rajgir: Three verses then describe the city of Rajgir, highlighting its significance:

     • It was the birthplace, place of initiation, and site of enlightenment (three Kalyanakas) for Muni Suvrat, the 20th Tirthankar.
     • It was the setting for great emperors such as Jay, the Chakravarti; Ram and Baldev, the Vasudevas; and Jarashandh, the Pratichakravarti.
     • King Shrenik heard the teachings of Mahavir Swami in this city.
     • The city is adorned by two mountains, Vipul and Vaibhar, situated to its east and west, respectively.
     • The inscription poses a rhetorical question about who wouldn't praise such an important pilgrimage site.

  3. Historical Context and Officials: The prose section identifies the rulers and officials of the time:

     • "Sahipaj" (likely referring to Sultan Firoz Shah of the Tughlaq dynasty, who ruled Delhi from 1351 to 1388 CE). Although historical records suggest his control over Bengal and Bihar was not absolute, this inscription, dated 1412 VS (1355 CE), clearly indicates his authority over Bihar at that time.
     • "Malikva," appointed by the Sultan as the provincial ruler (Mandal-eshwar) of Magadh.
     • "Sadurdeen" (possibly Nasiruddin), a local official. This official provided significant assistance in the construction of the temple.

  4. Genealogy of the Temple Builders: Verses 5 to 13 detail the lineage and family of the temple's constructors:

     • From the lineage of Minister Dalia, emerged a notable figure named Sahajpal.
     • Sahajpal's son was Tihapal.
     • Tihapal's son was Raha.
     • Raha's son was Thakkar Mandan, who had a virtuous wife named Thidevi.
     • Thakkar Mandan had five sons: Sahdev, Kamdev, Saharaj, Vachharaj, and Devraj. He also had daughters.
     • The inscription shows a detailed family tree with further descendants like Dhansingh, Dharmasingh, Gunaraj, Limbraj, Pasinh, and Ghadsingh.
     • The temple was built by the last two sons of Thakkar Mandan, Vachharaj and Devraj. They also made significant efforts to promote Jainism in eastern India.

  5. Preceptors and their Lineage: The inscription then provides the lineage of the preceptors (Pratishtha karta - those who performed the consecration):

     • Sudharma, a Ganadhara (chief disciple) of Mahavir Swami, was the first Yukapradhan (leader of his era).
     • From his lineage came Vajraswami, a scholar of Dashpurva texts, from whom the Vajra branch originated.
     • From the Vajra branch, in the Chandra kula, emerged Utsursuri.
     • He was succeeded by Vaddhman Acharya.
     • Vaddhman Suri was followed by the renowned Jineshwar Acharya, who received the title "Khartar," and his disciples also became famous by that name.
     • His disciple was Jinchandra, who authored the "Sangrangshala."
     • Abhaydeva Suri was his disciple. Through the power of mantras, he revealed a statue of Parshvanath from the ground and wrote commentaries on various scriptures like Sthananga.
     • Following him were Jinvallabh, Jinvallabh, Jinchandra, Jinapati, Jineshwar, Jinprabodh, and Jinchandra.
     • The last Jinchandra was succeeded by Jinkushalsuri, who consecrated the first Tirthankar's idol in the Vipulgiri temple.
     • After him came Jinvad, Jinvardhi, and Jinchandra as acharyas.

  6. Temple Construction and Consecration Details:

     • It was through the teachings of Jinchandra Suri that the brothers Vachharaj and Devraj, residents of Viharpur, built this grand temple of Parshvanath and consecrated it with great celebration.
     • Date of Consecration: Vaishakh Vad 6, Vikram Samvat 1412 (which corresponds to 1355 CE).
     • Performing Acharya: Bhuvanhit Upadhyay.
     • Bhuvanhit's Teachers: His initiation guru was Jinchandra Suri, and his academic guru was Jinvardhisuri.
     • Composition of the Inscription: The inscription itself, written in a specific metrical style (vichitravritta), was also composed by Bhuvanhit Upadhyay.
     • Carving of the Inscription: It was carved onto the stone slab for merit by Vidha, son of Thakkar Maha, a skilled artisan.

  7. Reinforcement of Key Details in Prose: The prose section reiterates the following:

     • The date of consecration: Vaishakh Vad 6, Vikram Samvat 1412.
     • The inspiration: The noble teachings of Khartar Gachchha Acharya Jinvardhisuri's disciple, Jinchandra Suri.
     • The builders: Vachharaj and Thakkar Devraj, descendants of the minister's lineage and son of Thakkar Mandan.
     • The event: The joyous pilgrimage across eastern India undertaken by Bhuvanhit Upadhyay, accompanied by monks like Hariprabhanigani, Medasutiganipra, Harshmrutiganipra, and Punyapratihniganipra, bringing happiness to the community.

III. Clarification of a Discrepancy:

• The original inscription has "Trinetra" instead of "Jinchandra" in one instance. This is noted as a mistake, possibly due to an omission of the letter 'e' from "Jinchandra," leading to the erroneous reading of "Nidra" or "Trinetra." The corrected reading "Jinchandra" is considered accurate based on the rubbing.

In essence, the Rajgruhno Shilalekh is a significant Jain inscription that meticulously details the history of a Parshvanath temple in Rajgir. It highlights the city's spiritual importance, the family lineage of its benefactors, the illustrious line of Jain acharyas who guided them, and the historical context of the 14th century with references to contemporary rulers.