Shatrunjaya Giristha Khartarvasahi Geet

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shatrunjaya giristha Khartarvasahi Geet" by Kavi Depal, edited by M.A. Dhaky:

Book Title: Shatrunjaya giristha Khartarvasahi Geet (A Song about the Khartarvasahi situated on Shatrunjay Hill)

Author: Kavi Depal

Editor/Publisher Information: The text is based on a manuscript from the collection of Muni Punyavijayji, specifically manuscript No. 8285, copied 21 years prior to the publication. The publication is linked to "Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf" and the catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/249317/1. Jain Education International for private and personal use only.

Content Summary:

The text is a devotional song composed in twelve verses (kadis) by Kavi Depal. The primary subject of the song is the Khartarvasahi temple situated on the sacred Shatrunjay hill, a significant pilgrimage site in Jainism.

Key Points:

• Unique Focus: The editor, M.A. Dhaky, highlights that this song is unique among the many available descriptions of temple complexes (chaitya-paripati) on Shatrunjay because it specifically focuses on a single temple located on the hill.
• Historical Context: The manuscript's script dates back to the 16th century, and the language of the song suggests it was composed in the latter half of the 15th century. The language shows influences of the author's regional dialect.
• Inspiration: The song is reminiscent of a similar song composed by Karnsinh about the Khartarvasahi on Girnar hill.
• Author's Identity: In the final verse, the author reveals his name as Depal.
• Structure and Repetition: Each verse of the song features a repetition of the third and fourth lines.
• Description of the Temple:
  • The song begins with Depal describing his entry into the Vaghnapol on Vimalgiri and his immediate encounter with the Adishwar Khartarvasahi.
  • He then mentions two other temples within the complex: the Nemi temple and the Parthabhavan.
  • The song also refers to significant Jain locations and concepts such as Sametshikhar, Ashtapad, the three auspicious events (kalyanatraya) of Neminath, the Chauri, and the Panchameru mountain.
  • Depal describes the beauty of the temple's halls (mandaps), mentioning the statues adorning the pillars, the numerous Jina images in niches and other places, and the representations of the Panchagvir (five great beings) and Nagabandha (serpent bond) in the ceilings.
  • He praises the skill of the sculptor, noting how they achieved "much in little" (thoda ma athighanu) in the creation.
  • The song expresses praise and admiration, specifically mentioning the Guru-pratima (image of the Guru) of Jin Ratnasuri located inside the temple.
• Significance for Identification: The details provided in this song are extremely useful for identifying which specific structure on Shatrunjay today corresponds to the 'Khartarvasahi', as mentioned by the editor who has also used this information in another article.
• Artistic Merit: The song possesses poetic qualities and natural musicality (geyata).
• Author's Background: It is inferred that Depal was a Shrवक (lay follower) of the Khartargachha sect, likely from Rajasthan, and lived in the 15th century.
• Related Works: The footnotes provide additional information about Kavi Depal, mentioning that several of his other works are available. These are referenced in a recently edited work by Muni Dhurandharvijay, and also noted in works compiled by Harivallabh Bhayani and Agarchand Nahata. These references confirm Depal's existence in the 15th century.

In essence, "Shatrunjaya giristha Khartarvasahi Geet" is a valuable historical and devotional document that offers a detailed, albeit poetic, description of a specific Jain temple on Shatrunjay, contributing significantly to the understanding of Jain architecture and devotional literature of the period.