Sevadi Gamna Lekho

This document summarizes inscriptions found in the village of Sevadi (also spelled Sevadi or Sevadi), located in the Godwad region of Marwar, near Bali. The inscriptions were copied by Shri D.R. Bhandarkar and are part of a larger collection of ancient Jain inscriptions.

Here's a breakdown of the key inscriptions discussed:

General Information:

• Location: Sevadi village is situated five miles southeast of Bali town in the Godwad province of Marwar, under the rule of the Jodhpur Raja.
• Source: The copies of these inscriptions were provided by Shri D.R. Bhandarkar.
• Previous Publication: The first three inscriptions (Nos. 323-325) were published in Epigraphica Indica, Volume 11, in an essay by Shri Bhandarkar titled "Chahamanas of Marwar." The summary for these is presented in English translation from Bhandarkar's words.

Detailed Summary of Inscriptions:

• Inscription #323:

  • Location: Found on the lintel of the entrance to a basement in front of the Mahavir temple in Sevadi.
  • Condition: The inscription is in very worn condition and difficult to read. It was filled with lac (a resinous substance) at the time of Bhandarkar's visit, but the reason for this is unknown.
  • Details: Bhandarkar was able to decipher most of it from his copy. It is written in Nagari script, is eight lines long, 2'1" wide and 4' long. It is in Sanskrit verse, with 15 verses numbered with figures.
  • Linguistic Notes: The word "Bapa" in the second line is considered linguistically corrupt or impure. The letter "ha" is used instead of "ya" in conjunct consonants, as seen in "pumyayamata" (line 3) and "vitarnam" (line 6).
  • Vocabulary: The word "Khattaka" in the seventh line is noteworthy, as it was also found in an inscription in a Jain temple in Bali town and in inscriptions on Mount Abu, where it means "a niche." The word "Bhukti" might refer to a collection of villages or a district rather than just a province. The phrase "Tryambakasyagamat" in line 6, literally meaning "on account of Tryambaka (Shiva) coming," is interpreted to refer to the Shivaratri festival in the dark fortnight of Magha.
  • Content: The inscription begins with a praise of the 16th Tirthankara, Shantinath. It mentions Ahil, his son Jitu, who was skilled in ethics and belonged to the Chahamana dynasty. Jitu's son was Ashvaraja, and Ashvaraja's son was Kutukaraja. The sixth verse states that the village of Samiparti (Sevadi) was within his "bhukti" (jagirdari/estate) and that there was an excellent Mahavir temple there, like a celestial chariot. From the seventh verse onwards, a list of a different lineage is given, mentioning a person named Yashodeva, who was the commander of the army ("Yashodeva"), of pure character, a prominent figure in the royal assembly, and the leader of the mercantile community. The eighth verse states that Yashodeva, being of equal mind, never hesitated to show kindness to his relatives, friends, and virtuous followers of the Derakachchha sect. His son was Bahud, who was renowned in assemblies of scholars like Vishwakarma. Bahud's son was Thallak, who was devoted to Jainism and favored by the king. Verses 11-12 state that Kutukaraja, pleased, used to grant Thallak 8 drammas annually on Shivaratri in Magha, with the intention that these funds be used for the worship of the Shantinath deity in the "Khattaka" (niche) built by Yashodeva. Verse 13 expresses the wish that this donation continues until the end of time. Verse 14 mentions that the image of Shantinath in the Jinālaya of Samiparti was installed by his (Thallak's) paternal grandfather, Yashodeva. The last verse warns that anyone who breaks this donation will incur a great sin. The date provided is Samvat 1172 (CE 1115).
  • Interpretation: The inscription suggests that Kutukaraja, son of Andharaja, was the donor. However, it is unlikely he was the ruling king at the time, as he is not explicitly referred to as "king." Since Samiparti was in his "bhukti," it is probable that he was a Yuvaraj (crown prince) in CE 1115, enjoying the usufruct of several villages as a jagirdar.

• Inscription #324:

  • Location: Found near a devagraha (shrine) in front of the Jain Mahavir temple.
  • Base: The inscription is on a stone called "Surbhishila," which features a cow and the sun and moon on either side.
  • Condition: The inscription is partially damaged, and the letters are worn. Only the first three lines are useful and clearly legible.
  • Date and Rulers: The date is given as "Madad Sura 11." At that time, Kutukadeva was Maharaja-dhiraja ruling in Nadel, and Yuvaraj Jayatsimha was administering Samipati (Sevadi). The date is interpreted as the 31st year of the Simhasamvat, started by the Chalukya king Siddharaja Jaysimha, which corresponds to CE 1193. Evidence from another inscription confirms that the Godwad province was part of Siddharaja Jaysimha's kingdom, thus confirming the date as being of the Simhasamvat.

• Inscription #325:

  • Location: On the lintel of the entrance to another devālaya in front of the Mahavir temple.
  • Details: The inscription is in three lines, measuring 3'6" in width and 2" in length. It is well-preserved and in Nagari script. The use of "dh" as in "Vadharā" and "Chheḍatiyā" is noteworthy, as it also appears in the Nadol copper-plate inscription of Kirtipala.
  • Linguistic Notes: Some years are not clearly engraved. The word "Jagati" in the first line is interpreted as the path around the main temple for circumambulation, also called "Bhamati" or "Bhramana Marga" in Marwar. The word "Vadhalaya" is similar to the vernacular word "sahani" (stable keeper). In an inscription at Nilakantha Mahadeva in Nadole, this word is used as a title for two Parmara Rajput kings. The words "Nava" and "Dhavara" are used with "Arghatta" (a water-lifting device). It is suggested that "Nava" or "Navana" means "to grind jowar" and "Dhavara" means a type of ladle used for measuring.
  • Content: The inscription is in Sanskrit prose, except for the final prayer. It is dated Vikrama Samvat 1167, Chaitra Shudi 1. At that time, Adharaja was Maharaja-dhiraja, and Kutukaraja was in the position of Yuvaraja. The inscription records a donation by Ubalaraka, son of Uttimaraja and heir of Pu'aravi. Pu'aravi held the title Mahasahaniya. The inscription also lists other people from that lineage. This donation was for the worship of Shri Dharmnathadeva, located in the "Jagati" of the Sevadi temple. The donation consisted of one "haraka" of jowar grains from each "arhat" (well or water wheel) in Madrad, Medrachā, Chheḍiā, and Madrigram.
  • Identification: Sevadi is confirmed as Sevadi. Dharmnathadeva must have been the deity installed in the temple where this inscription is found. Chheḍali, located four miles from Sevadi, is identified as Chheḍiā. The identification of other villages is uncertain.

• Inscription #326:

  • Date: Samvat 1213, Chaitra Vadi 8, Tuesday.
  • Context: In the presence of Dandapati Vaijā and Mahā. Jaśadeva and the Panchakula in Nadol.
  • Content: Jinadhavaka, son of Mahana, a merchant residing in Sevadi, donated 12 rupees for the worship of Shri Parshvanathadeva, installed in the Jagati of the Mahavir temple in Samipati. This donation was to be made monthly for twelve months. Witnesses included P. Pāld, Gā. Mālanirṇi, Kumārapāla, Rājayana, Vadahricandra, and Kehala.
  • Additional Fragment: A second inscription is attached at the end of the main inscription, but it is incomplete. The existing portion mentions Thakura Ājputra Mekhapāla and Sajnapāla of Vadraḍā village donating "Javahar" from each "arahata" of Padia (a village?) for the worship of Parshvanathadeva.

• Inscription #327:

  • Date: Samvat 1251, Kartik Sudi 1, Sunday.
  • Content: The people of the village (likely Sevadi) gave a portion of the proceeds from coconuts etc., to Shri Sumatisuri for the worship of the statue of their father, Guru Shri Shalibhadra Suri.

• Inscription #328:

  • Date: Samvat 1297, Sudi 2, Thursday.
  • Content: Dudu, a resident of the village of Raudha, along with his father's wife and other family members (whose names are given in 9 lines), decided to construct a devakulika (a small shrine or chamber for deities).

• Inscription #329:

  • Date: Samvat 1198, Āsej Vadi 13, Sunday.
  • Content: All the Shravakas (Jain laymen) collectively made a prohibition regarding the construction of a wall and doorframe in front of the Apavārikā (storeroom) located on the east side of the Arisṭanemi temple. This was written by Ashvadeva.

• Inscription #330:

  • Date: Samvat 1321, Chaitra Vadi 15, Monday.
  • Content: Maharajakula Shri Chāchirigadeva made a mention of a donation at the Mandavi of Nadol during the time of Samparva for the worship of Shri Parshvanath of Karheḍā village.
  • Source: This inscription was found in the Upāśraya of Guruṁ (Ger) Pirarājī.
  • Location of Karheḍā: The place Karheḍā mentioned here is located in the Sayara district of Mewad and is about 8 Kos (Marwar measure) away from Sevadi. It is a famous pilgrimage site.

Concluding Remarks:

Inscriptions #326 to #330 were not previously published. They are published here based on the handwritten copies of Shri Bhandarkar. Since the original inscriptions were not available at the time of publication, comments on their placement are not included.

This comprehensive summary provides a detailed overview of the historical, religious, and linguistic information contained within these ancient Jain inscriptions from Sevadi village.