Sanskritbhasha Baddha Chaityaparipati Stava

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the "Sanskritbhasha Baddha Chaityaparipati Stava" by Sangham Suri:

The text is an academic analysis and presentation of a Sanskrit devotional hymn titled "Chaityaparipati Stava" composed by Sangham Suri. The author, M.A. Dhaky, has meticulously prepared this edition based on four manuscripts from the collection of the Shri Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir.

Manuscript Details and Scholarly Work:

• Manuscript Origins: The analysis highlights that two of the manuscripts (designated 'A' and 'B') are estimated to be from the latter half of the 15th century, while manuscripts 'C' and 'D' are not older than the 18th century. Manuscript 'D' was recently discovered from Radhanpur.
• Textual Variations: While all manuscripts contain minor grammatical errors and faded characters, the compiled text is presented with clarity through collation.
• Collaborative Research: The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Pandit Harishankar Ambashankar Shastri of Ahmedabad, the late Pandit Babulal Savchand Doshi, and Pandit Shatkar Mukhopadhyay of Varanasi for their research and review of the text.
• Editorial Approach: Due to variations in the order of verses and occasional additions or omissions in different manuscripts (some verses being potentially interpolated), manuscript 'A' was chosen as the primary text for the edition, following standard editorial practices. Manuscript 'B' is noted to have a particularly pure text, and its variants have been incorporated into the main text.

The Author: Sangham Suri:

• Identity: Sangham Suri is identified as the author in the final verses preceding the concluding stanza of the hymn.
• Uncertainty about Lineage: No information is available regarding his lineage (gachchha) or guru tradition from the manuscripts themselves, and external sources also do not provide this detail.
• Dating Challenges: The text explicitly states that the hymn does not provide a date of composition. The author discusses and dismisses certain historical figures named Sangham Sthavir, Sangham Simha Muni, and Sangham Siddha Muni as the composer. A possibility is considered that the author might be Sangham Simha Suri, mentioned in an inscription of a Jina image from Bharuch dating to 1063 CE. The precise dating of Sangham Suri and the hymn will be further discussed based on internal evidence.

Content and Structure of the Hymn:

The "Chaityaparipati Stava" is characterized by the following thematic progression:

1. Praise of Divine Abodes and Sacred Mountains: The hymn begins by praising Jinavalis (groups of Jinas) situated in various celestial realms (lokas) and on prominent mountains described in Jain scriptures, such as Vaitadhya, Kulachala, Nagadanta, Vakshar koot, Ishukara, Manushottara, Nandishvara, and Ruchakgiri. It also extols Jinas residing near lakes, ponds, rivers, and seas.

2. Glorification of Major Jain Tirthas (Pilgrimage Sites) in India: The hymn then moves on to mention and praise major historical and revered Jain pilgrimage sites in India, along with their principal presiding Jina idols.

   • Shatrunjaya: Celebrated as the foremost tirth, where numerous saints like Pundarika attained liberation.
   • Ashtapada: Mentioned for the jewel-like Jina images constructed by Emperor Bharata, each with its own description, size, and placement.
   • Sammetshikhar: Praised for its twenty Jinas who attained Moksha and the rows of divine stupas.
   • Takshashila: Where Bahubali constructed a Dharma Chakra with a thousand spokes at the spot where Rishabh Jain's footprints are found.
   • Mathura: Highlights a divine stupa from the time of Suparshva Jina, still worshipped by deities.
   • Angadika: Mentions jewel-like Jina images worshipped by figures like Brahmendra, Dashanan (Ravana), and Ramachandra.
   • Gogiri: Celebrates a temple of Jina Vir constructed by King Amra at a significant cost.
   • Bhrugukachchha: Praises Muni Subrata Jina at Shakunikavihara on the banks of the Narmada River.
   • Raivataka: Extols the great mountain Raivataka, where Nemi (Neminath) resides and where his three auspicious events (kalyanakas) occurred.
   • Modherapur (Modhera): Mentions Shri Vir Jineshwar with a seven-hand idol, consecrated by the Yaksha Brahmashanti.
   • Shrimalpur (Bhinmal): Refers to Shri Vir Jina who, according to tradition, arrived by chariot from Valabhi on Ashwin Sud Purnima and settled here.
   • Stambhana (Thambhana): Mentions Jina Parshva, endowed with great sanctity, and Jina Vir at Mundasthal, where the composer himself is said to have visited.
   • Kashahrad: Celebrates Jina Vrishabha consecrated by Kalikacharya of the Vidyadhar Nami-Vinami lineage.
   • Nashikya (Nashik): Mentions Shri Chandraprabh installed by the sons of Kunti, Yudhisthira.
   • Soparka (or Arbudaachal): Praises Yugadi Jina-pungava, established by the Acharyas of the Nagendra-Chandra-Nivritti-Vidyadhar lineage.
   • Abdanagara: Refers to Rishabha installed by Vimal Mantri.
   • Gokula: Mentions Shanti Jina installed by Gokulavasi (Nanda).

3. General Enumeration of Tirthas: Following this specific mention, the hymn generally lists various other significant tirthas like Kalikundakukuteshwar, Champa, Shravasti, Gajpura (Hastinapur), Ayodhya, Vaibharagiri, Pava (Pavapuri), Jayanti (Ujjain), Omkar (Karhad), Vayat (Wayad), Jalyodhar (Jalor), Chitrakoot (Chittor), Satyapur (Sanchor), Brahmanya (Varman), and Pallika (Pali), praising their respective Rishabhadi Tirthankaras.

4. Universal Salutation: The hymn concludes by stating that Sangham Suri bows to all Jina images found in any of the three realms (lokas).

Analysis of the Hymn's Nature and Significance:

• Dual Purpose: The hymn aims to be both a "Sakala Tirtha Nandana Stotra" (hymn praising all tirthas) and a "Shaashvata-ashaashvata-chaitya Vandana Stava" (hymn of salutation to eternal and non-eternal chaityas). It includes references to Jina temples in higher realms (beyond human reach) as well as historically significant human-made tirthas.
• Geographical Scope: The author notes that Sangham Suri appears to be from Western India, but his scope extends to Northern India, giving the work a flavor of a "Tirthamala" (garland of tirthas).
• Categorization: While not strictly a "Chaitya Paripati" (which usually focuses on the arrangement or order of temples), it can be considered a "Tirtha Vandanastavana" (hymn of salutation to tirthas).
• Selective Mentions: The selection of prominent Jina temples implies that many other significant Jain places of worship were intentionally omitted.
• Important Historical Information: The hymn is considered valuable for providing certain lesser-known or otherwise unavailable historical information about various Jain tirthas.
• Dating and Interpolations: The analysis meticulously examines the chronology of the mentioned tirthas and idols to date the hymn. It also identifies several verses (marked with asterisks in the text) as interpolations, with discussions on their possible origins and inconsistencies with the main flow.

Dating the Composition:

The author discusses the potential dating of the hymn. While a previous scholar, Pandit Lalchand Bhagwandas Gandhi, suggested a timeframe in the latter half of the 12th century CE, the current analysis, considering the mention of the Vimal Mantri's temple at Abu (c. 1032 CE) and the Abhaydev Suri's consecration at Stambhana (c. 1075 CE), and its reference in Sumatigani's commentary (c. 1239 CE) as an "ancient" hymn, places its composition likely between 1075 and 1239 CE. Further evidence from a verse in Jivanushasan (c. 1106 CE) suggests an even earlier date, potentially between 1080-1100 CE. This makes the hymn historically significant, being among the older tirtha vandana stotras available.

In summary, this scholarly work presents a critical edition and detailed analysis of Sangham Suri's "Chaityaparipati Stava," a hymn that offers valuable insights into the geography, history, and devotional practices of Jainism, particularly concerning various pilgrimage sites, while also providing a framework for dating and understanding the evolution of Jain literature.