Ranpur Tirthna Lekho

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the Ranpur Tirth:

Book Title: Ranpur Tirthna Lekho (Inscriptions of Ranpur Tirth) Author: Jinvijay Publisher: Z_Prachin_Jain_Lekh_Sangraha_Part_02_005113_HR.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249659/1

This text, "Ranpur Tirthna Lekho," is a detailed account of the historic Jain pilgrimage site of Ranpur, located in the Godwad region of Marwar (present-day Rajasthan, India). The author, Jinvijay, presents information derived from inscriptions and historical records, with a significant portion dedicated to quoting a detailed article by Shri D.R. Bhandarkar from the Archaeological Survey of India's annual report for 1907-08.

Key Aspects of Ranpur Tirth and its Temple:

• Prominence: Ranpur is considered a primary pilgrimage site within the "Panchtirthi" (five holy sites) of Godwad. It is described as the most ancient, valuable, and artistically unparalleled Jain temple in Marwar.
• Location: The site is situated in the Desuri district of the Jodhpur state, six miles from Sadri, and is currently in a somewhat desolate state. It lies in a valley on the western side of the Aravali mountain range (referred to as "Adabal" in the text).
• The Main Temple: The principal temple is dedicated to the first Tirthankar, Adinath, also known as Yugadishwar or Chatumukh (Four-Faced). This is why the site is known as Ranpur and is revered by Jains. It attracts pilgrims from Gujarat, Western Rajasthan, and Punjab.
• Temple Construction and Builder:
  • The exact date and builder of the temple are largely unknown to the general public.
  • The archaeological report by D.R. Bhandarkar details the history of its builder, Dharṇāk (also referred to as Dhanna in local lore), and provides a thorough description of the temple from an epigraphical perspective.
  • Local tradition identifies two brothers, Dhanna and Ratna, from Nadia village in Sirohi state, as the builders. They were described as "Shah" (traders or financiers).
  • The text suggests the temple's name "Ranpur" comes from "Rana" (a shortened form of Rana) and "pur" (a shortened form of Porwad). It is specifically linked to Rana Kumbha.
  • The Epigraphical Account (from the inscription on a white stone slab):
    • The inscription is in Sanskrit prose, 47 lines long, and dated to Vikram Samvat 1496.
    • It mentions the deity as Yugadishwar Shri Chatumukh, confirming the four-faced idol of Rishabhanatha.
    • The inscription details a lineage of rulers from Mewar, starting with Bappa, leading up to Rana Kumbha, during whose reign the temple was built.
    • The builder is identified as Dharṇāk, described as "Paramaradhya" (most devout) and "Dharmik" (religious).
    • Dharṇāk was a "Sanghpati" (leader of a religious procession/group of pilgrims), indicating his role in organizing and financing Jain pilgrimages.
    • He belonged to the Pragvat (Porwad) community. His grandfather was Mangal, his father was Kurpal, and his mother was Kamalde. His father and grandfather were also Sanghapatis, suggesting a tradition of leading pilgrimages within his family.
    • Dharṇāk was assisted by another wealthy Jain, Gunraj.
    • Dharṇāk was also involved in building and renovating temples in other locations like Ajhahari, Pindarvatak, and Saler.
    • Other family members, including his elder brother Ratna, Ratnade (Ratna's wife), and their sons Lakha, Mana, Na, and Salig, as well as his own sons Jajña and Javada (from his wife Dhallade), were involved.
    • The inscription explicitly states the name Ranpur is derived from Rana Kumbhakarna, and the temple was built under the orders of a Guhil king.
    • The temple was also known as Vartumuvayurishivihar (a temple of Adinath).
    • The architect was Sutradhar Depak.
• Local Legends and Inscriptions: The text highlights the convergence and discrepancies between local legends and epigraphical evidence.
  • Local stories name Dhanna and Ratna as builders, which aligns with Dharṇāk and Ratna in the inscriptions.
  • The local lore about Dhanna being the younger brother is also consistent with the inscriptions.
  • The suggestion of their origin in Nadya (Sirohi) is supported by the inscription's mention of their involvement in sites near Sirohi state.
  • The identification of the architect as Deepa (short for Deepak) in local lore matches the inscription's mention of Depak.
  • A key difference is that local stories portray Dhanna as not being cruel, whereas the inscription mentions his sons Jajña and Javada, implying a family lineage.
• European Visitors and Descriptions:
  • Sir James Fergusson is noted as the only European visitor mentioned.
  • Tod's description of the temple in his "Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan" is also referenced. Tod described it as a magnificent structure, costing over a million rupees, with Rana contributing £80,000. He noted its isolated location.
  • Fergusson's account is critiqued for inaccuracies regarding the builder's affiliation (claiming he was Rana Kumbha's minister) and the cost.
  • The text disputes Fergusson's claim that the temple's isolation protected it from persecution.
  • A local legend attributes damage to the temple to Aurangzeb. According to the story, Aurangzeb's attempt to vandalize the temple was halted when he and his wife fell ill. His wife reportedly saw Rishabhanatha in a dream and conveyed the Tirthankar's wish for him to stop the desecration and instead perform Aarti. Aurangzeb is said to have complied, and an inscription on a pillar in the assembly hall is believed to depict him in a devotional posture.
  • The text questions whether the figure on the pillar is indeed Aurangzeb, suggesting it might be a Vaishya (merchant) who renovated the assembly hall.
• Architectural Details:
  • The temple is a "Chatumukh" (Four-Faced) temple, meaning the idol has four faces, and there are entrances on all four sides.
  • The main idol is made of white stone and represents Rishabhanatha.
  • There are multiple floors and numerous smaller shrines (Devakulikas) surrounding the main temple.
  • The temple has a unique arrangement of pillars (around 420) supporting domed roofs.
  • Fergusson's description of the interior's effect, the indirect lighting, and the number of shrines are detailed.
  • The exterior is characterized by extensive carving, unlike older temples. The excellent arrangement of pillars and varied dome heights create a powerful visual impact.
  • The temple covers an area of 48,000 sq. ft., comparable to medieval European cathedrals, and superior in craftsmanship and beauty.
  • Two types of stone were used: "Sevadi" for the foundation and "Sonana" for the walls. The roof is made of brick.
• Further Inscriptions and Renovations:
  • Later inscriptions detail renovations and additions, such as the repair of the eastern gateway and the construction of a pavilion named Meghnad, funded by S. Khita and Nayak from Usmāpur in Vikram Samvat 1697, influenced by Shri Hiravijayasuri.
  • A poem titled "Sonsāmānya" by Pandit Pratishthasoma (a disciple of Somsundarsuri who consecrated the temple) in Vikram Samvat 1554 is mentioned, offering biographical details of the Acharya and a brief mention of Dharṇāk's temple.
  • Another "stavan" (hymn) by Muni Megh mentions Dharṇāk's original residence as Ranpur and describes the temple's grandeur.
  • The stavan recounts Dharṇāk's wish to build a temple like Kailash, his engagement of skilled sculptors (Shalats), and the architect Depak's promise to build a temple comparable to the Rajvihar in Siddhpur.
  • It mentions the temple being named "Tribhuvan Deepak" (Lamp of the Three Worlds) and the consecration of four idols of Adinath by Somsundarsuri.
  • During a famine in Vikram Samvat 1945, Dharṇāk, influenced by his nephew, opened a public kitchen (Sadavrat) for the needy, similar to Jagadushah.
  • The stavan also describes the various activities and arrangements around the temple, including performances, gatherings of pilgrims, and the residence of Somsundarsuri.
  • It details Dharṇāk's initiation of four major projects simultaneously: the temple, the public kitchen, a "paishadhshala" (residence for ascetics), and a palace for his father.
  • The temple's magnificence is described with imagery comparing it to Girnar and mentions numerous decorative figures and pillars.

In essence, "Ranpur Tirthna Lekho" serves as a comprehensive historical and architectural document, meticulously detailing the significance of the Ranpur Jain temple, its construction, its principal benefactor Dharṇāk, and the cultural and religious context surrounding it, drawing upon inscriptions, local traditions, and archaeological findings.