Settujja Chetta Pravadi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Settujja Chetta Pravadi" (or "Satrunjaya Chaitya Pravadi") by "Lakhpati," as presented in the provided PDFs, focusing on the content and scholarly context:

Book Title: Settujja Chetta Pravadi (Satrunjaya Chaitya Pravadi) Author: Lakhpati (name mentioned at the end of the text) Publisher: Jain Education International (indicated by the source files) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249318/1

Overall Context:

The "Settujja Chetta Pravadi" is a Chaitya Paripati, a genre of Jain literature that describes pilgrimages to sacred sites, specifically focusing on the temples (chaityas) on Mount Shatrunjaya. This particular Paripati is a new addition to the existing seven chaityas related to Shatrunjaya, previously published in Prakrit-Apabhramsha and Old Gujarati. It is important to note that this work focuses solely on the temples of Shatrunjaya and does not include broader temple lists that encompass other sacred sites.

Manuscript and Authorship:

• Manuscript Source: The Paripati is transcribed from manuscript number 8285 in the collection of Muni Shri Punyavijayji at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology.
• Editor: Pandit Baboolal Savchand Shah prepared the transcription for editorial purposes.
• Author's Name: The author identifies himself as "Lakhpati" at the end of the work.
• Dating: Based on linguistic analysis and support from other epigraphy experts, the language of the Pravadi is estimated to belong to the 16th century. This dating is further supported by the absence of mentions of prominent 17th-century architectural structures on Shatrunjaya, such as the "ChouMukh Prasad" on Marudevi's Peak (built in 1675 AD) and the large temple with four halls by MananMall Jain on Vimal Vasahi Peak (built in 1682 AD). The work is considered an early example of the trend where details in pilgrimage descriptions gradually decreased towards the end of the 16th and early 17th centuries.

Content of the "Settujja Chetta Pravadi":

The Paripati is a concise work, consisting of only fifteen verses, composed in a descriptive and devotional style. The author, Lakhpati, begins by invoking Shatrunjaya Swami, the Adiswami (first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha), and sets out on the journey to Shatrunjaya.

The pilgrimage described follows a specific path, visiting key temples and sites:

1. Initial Invocation and Departure: The pilgrim calls upon Shatrunjaya Swami and the Adiswami, preparing for the journey.
2. Palitana Temples: The journey begins in Palitana, visiting three prominent medieval temples:
   • The temple of Parsva, the Parshwajineshvara.
   • The temple of Vira, near the bank of Lalita Sarovar (the "Vira Prabhu" temple).
   • The temple of Nemi, located on the upper part of the hill.
3. Marudevi's Peak: After ascending the ramp, the pilgrim reaches Marudevi's Peak. Here, respects are paid to Marudevi (mother of Rishabhanatha), Kapardaksh, and the Jin (Tirthankara) Shanti.
4. Anupam Sarovar: The pilgrim then proceeds to "Anupam Sarovar" (Anupama Sarovar).
5. "Swargarohan" and "Adi Prabhu": At the "Swargarohan" (associated with minister Tejpal) or "Swargarohan Prasad" (built in memory of minister Vastupal), the pilgrim has darshan of four idols, including the "Adi Prabhu."
6. "Sahaduar" (Simhadvara): The pilgrim directly reaches the "Sahaduar" (Lion Gate) of the Adinatha temple.
7. "Tilak Toran" and Adinatha Temple: Here, the pilgrim expresses joy upon seeing the "Tilak Toran" installed by minister Vastupal. The pilgrim then enters the rangamandap (assembly hall) of the Adinatha temple.
8. Worship of Adinatha: Inside the rangamandap, there's a mention of the restoration by minister Bahad. The virtues of the ministers Vastupal and Tejpal are praised. The author specifically refers to the lepamayi (plastered) idol of Adinath Swami and offers laudatory praise.
9. Other Idols and Temples:
   • The pilgrim bows to Gandhar Pundarik.
   • They salute the countless stone idols of Jinas.
   • Respects are paid to the "Panch Pandav," the "Chaitya-vriksha Rayaṇ," and the feet of "Yugadi" (Rishabhanatha).
   • The pilgrim bows to the twenty-two lepamayi idols of Jin, and the idols of Munisuvrata and Sachaur-Vardhaman (possibly Viryavali or Sachchipur Mahavir) installed by Vastupal.
10. "Khartar Vasahi": After leaving the courtyard of Adinatha and descending slightly, the pilgrim enters "Khartar Vasahi." The efficiency and skill in its planning are praised, noting that "much is contained in little."
11. Symbolic Temples within Khartar Vasahi: Inside this complex, the pilgrim visits temples that are symbolic representations of other holy sites:
    • "Nandiyasara" (Nandishvara Prasad).
    • "Thambhanpur-Avatara" (symbolizing Stambhanpur).
    • "Giranar Avatara Nemi" (symbolizing Girnar).
12. Temples of Embodied Deities: Within the "Vitavatara" temple, Neminath is mentioned, along with the avatara-tirtha (pilgrimage sites of embodied deities) of Amba, Shabha, and Pradyumna.
13. Conclusion: The Paripati concludes with a concluding verse, where the author "Lakhpati" identifies himself.

Scholarly Commentary:

The editor, M.A. Dhaky, notes that this Paripati does not introduce any entirely new information compared to what was already described by pilgrims of the 14th and 15th centuries. However, it does lack details on some important structures, such as the extensive description of Khartar Vasahi and specific temples like Chhipavasi and Molhavasi on Marudevi's Peak, as well as the temple of twenty active Tirthankaras near Adinatha's main shrine.

The absence of mention of the 17th-century architectural achievements on Shatrunjaya serves as strong evidence for its pre-17th-century origin. The work is considered an influential precursor to the Paripatis of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, which generally featured fewer details.

Key Features and Significance:

• Devotional Pilgrimage Narrative: It provides a step-by-step account of a pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Shatrunjaya.
• Architectural and Temple History: It references specific temples, architectural features (like the Tilak Toran), and the patrons or builders (ministers Vastupal, Tejpal, Bahad).
• Linguistic Value: The text offers insights into the Old Gujarati language of the 16th century.
• Textual Contribution: It expands the known corpus of Shatrunjaya-related Chaitya Paripatis.

In essence, "Settujja Chetta Pravadi" is a valuable, albeit concise, Jain devotional text that documents a pilgrimage to Shatrunjaya, offering a glimpse into the sacred geography and architectural patronage of the site during the 16th century.