Shri Tankshal Madhye Shreyansjin Chaitya Sambandh

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shri Tankshal Madhye Shreyansjin Chaitya Sambandh" by Shilchandrasuri, based on the provided text:

This text is a "Dhalia" (a type of religious composition, similar to a "Ras") that describes the construction and consecration of a temple dedicated to Shreyanshanth (the 11th Tirthankar) within the mint (Tankshal) in Rajnagar, which is identified as Ahmedabad. The work was commissioned by Shethani Har Kunvar, wife of Sheth Hathisingh Kesrasingh, and her son Sheth Umabhai. While primarily a religious account, it also contains significant historical facts and interesting details.

Structure and Author:

• The composition is structured into seven "Dhal" (sections), 146 "Kadi" (verses), and 2 "Dohara" (couplets), totaling 156 verses.
• The author identifies himself as Bhairavchand, a disciple of Motichand, who belonged to the Dolatachand lineage within the Dharmaghosha Gachcha (one of the 84 Jain monastic orders). The mention of the Dharmaghosha Gachcha existing until the 20th century is noted.
• The language is primarily Gujarati, though it incorporates Hindi and Marwadi words, suggesting the author might have originally been from a Hindi-speaking or Marwadi background.
• The text was composed in the same year as the temple's construction and consecration, Samvat 1915 (1858 CE), making the account highly reliable, akin to a firsthand report.

Key Historical and Interesting Facts:

1. Rajnagar (Ahmedabad) in Samvat 1915:

   • The city had 105 Jain temples.
   • Both saffron-clad (Samvegi) and white-clad (Yati) Jain monks were present in the city.
   • The city was situated on the banks of the Sabar river, which had numerous gardens and orchards along its shores.

2. Establishment of Ahmedabad and the Mint:

   • Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah.
   • Ahmed Shah reportedly found the mint location after it was shown to him in a dream by a saint (Pir).

3. Jain Temples in the City:

   • While there were many Jain temples, a significant portion were underground (Bhugarbha Chaityas). This was due to fear of destruction by Muslims, making people hesitant to build grand, visible temples.

4. The Temple Construction:

   • The temple was built in Samvat 1915.
   • Sheth Hathisingh had two wives; the younger wife's son was Umabhai. Umabhai might have had a brother.
   • It is mentioned that Sheth Motishah (possibly Umabhai's son or a relative) had a statue of Shreyanshanth made during the consecration of a temple at Shatrunjay Tirth. This statue was likely intended for Sheth Hathisingh and was brought to Rajnagar and temporarily kept in Fatta Shah ni Pol.
   • The text describes Shethani Har Kunvar receiving a divine message in a dream to build a temple in the mint and place the deity there.

5. The Mint (Tankshal):

   • The mint was part of the royal or governmental administration.
   • The construction was taking place during the period of Company rule (British East India Company). An application to the Company government in Britain likely led to the Company ordering the local administration to allot land for the temple to Umabhai.

6. Temple Details and Consecration:

   • The foundation for the "Panchashikhari Jinlay" (a temple with five spires) was laid on Vaishakh Sud 7, Samvat 1915.
   • The consecration rituals began on Ashadh Vad 9.
   • The deity was brought to the mint and first housed in a bungalow.
   • Umabhai's wife, the "Pradhan Vahu," performed rituals.
   • The consecration was completed on Shravan Sud 7, with subsequent rituals on Shravan Sud 13.

7. Surrounding Area of the Temple:

   • To the south of the temple was a girls' school (Kanyashala) where local girls studied.
   • At the entrance to the school, there was a beautiful garden with a fountain in the center.
   • Near the school, there was a temple of Rudrayaksha and a tomb (Mazar) of a Pir.

8. Shethani Har Kunvar's Devotion:

   • After the consecration, the Shethani undertook the "Akshay Nidhi Tap" (a specific austerity) with 320 female disciples.
   • The description of her vow-taking ceremony is noted as interesting, especially the rain that occurred during her procession.

9. Spiritual Guidance:

   • Shri Pujya Vijaydevendrasuri of the Tapagachcha was in Rajnagar that year and provided his blessings for the consecration and the austerity.

10. Shethani's Other Aspirations:

    • The Shethani also had a desire to build another large temple, perform 99 pilgrimages, and complete 45 other religious observances.

Literary and Imaginative Elements:

• The author employs imaginative language and metaphors. For instance, in the first "Dhal," he uses a metaphor of ten types of Kalpavruksha (wish-fulfilling trees) on Mount Meru feeling their existence was wasted without giving to others. They commit mass suicide, and from their demise, they are reborn as the ten fingers on Shethani Har Kunvar's hands, leading to her continuous charitable acts.

Current Status:

• The text was compiled based on a photocopy of a manuscript written in Samvat 1916.
• The temple of Shreyanshanth in the mint still exists today and is managed by the descendants of Sheth Umabhai.

In essence, "Shri Tankshal Madhye Shreyansjin Chaitya Sambandh" is a valuable Jain literary work that not only narrates the construction of a significant temple but also offers a glimpse into the socio-religious life, historical context, and cultural practices of Ahmedabad during the mid-19th century, all from the perspective of a devoted Jain author.