Siddhachal Tirth Chaitya Paripati

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Siddhachal Tirth Chaitya Paripati," in English:

Book Title: Siddhachal Tirth Chaitya Paripati Author: Shilchandrasuri (as indicated by the title, though the author of the work itself is different) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229717/1

Summary:

This document is an introduction and analysis of a Gujarati manuscript titled "Siddhachal Tirth Chaitya Paripati" (though the original author did not assign a specific title, referring to it as a "Formo" or "Kharado"). The author of the introduction, identified as Shilchandrasuri, presents this work as a significant and valuable historical and devotional text concerning the Siddhachal Tirth (Palitana and Shatrunjaya).

Key Points about the Work:

• Significance of Siddhachal Tirth: The introduction emphasizes Siddhachal Tirth as an ancient, pure, and highly revered center of faith and pilgrimage for Jains, where engaging in activities like visiting, climbing the mountain, touching the land, performing puja, installing idols, and having darshan of existing images is considered extremely beneficial for spiritual well-being. This importance has led to the creation of numerous texts, including stotras, ras-prabandhas, stavans, and chaitya-paripatis.

• Nature of the Manuscript: The presented work is described as a prose-based compilation. Although the original author didn't title it, the detailed descriptions of temples and images at Palitana and Shatrunjaya strongly suggest its classification as a "Chaitya Paripati." An entry in the Bhandar (library) at Mangrol records it as "Siddhachalji, Varna" (Description of Siddhachalji).

• The Author of the Manuscript: The author of the manuscript is identified as Sh. Malji Nagji Kachhi, a native of the Kutch region, though his specific village is not mentioned. He is characterized as a deeply devout individual with a passion for historical research and record-keeping. His dedication is evident in the painstaking detail with which he documented each temple and image, including their creators, years, and specific locations, along with meticulous directional accuracy. He is also presumed to be skilled in deciphering ancient inscriptions.

• Timeline and Creation: The author recorded completing this "Formo" in Samvat 1908 (1908 VS / 1851 CE). It is believed that he spent a considerable amount of time in the vicinity of Shatrunjaya, possibly visiting frequently, climbing the mountain many times, and compiling rough notes before finalizing this manuscript (Kharado).

• Manuscript Preservation and Publication: The only manuscript written by the author himself was located in the Gyanbhandar at Mangrol in the Junagadh district. This original copy was found to be in a very deteriorated state and on the verge of destruction. It was subsequently copied, and based on that copy, the present reader-edited version has been prepared. Paragraph numbers have been added for ease of reference for scholars.

• Author's Primary Aim and Inclusions: The author's main intention was to record the number of temples and structures, the names of their founders/establisher, and lists of years and dates. However, in doing so, he also included much valuable and useful historical information.

• Notable Historical and Interesting Details Highlighted by the Introducer (Shilchandrasuri): The introduction points out several particularly significant or interesting details found within the manuscript:

  • Seth Motisha: The construction of a pathway by Seth Motisha and the grand consecration by his son are mentioned, along with the erection of a platform and a large flag (vavato) in memory of this event (Para 6), and the creation of a pedestal where the Anjanavidhi mandap was once located (Para 11).
  • Nagarseth Hemabhai: The elaborate construction undertaken by Nagarseth Hemabhai and the benevolent deeds performed by Munishri Kalyana-Vimalji while seated there are described as direct reports (Para 13, 14).
  • Initiation Site: A specific location for new initiates to take diksha is noted (Para 8).
  • Kalyanvimalji's Cave: The current Saraswati Devi's cave is identified as originally being Kalyanvimalji's cave, which is considered a very important piece of information (Para 16).
  • Salakund Caves: The caves near Salakund and Munishri Kalyanvimalji's practice of meditating there at a young age are also found to be very interesting (Para 16).
  • Water Tanks: Mention of inexhaustible water tanks for the Lord's prostrations on Shatrunjaya (Para 34).
  • Humbhad Temple: The tolerant and generous nature of the Shvetambars is demonstrated by the mention of the Humbhad (Digambar) temple and the act of bowing to it, which brings joy (Para 41).
  • Godi Das and Jivan Das: The mention of Sh. Godidas and his brother Sh. Jivandas in Para 45 is speculated to be linked to the firm "Jivandas Godidas Ni Pedi," associated with the administration of the Shankheshwar Mahatirtha (Para 45).
  • Gharadhara Dasji: The titles associated with the Shravak Bhandari Gharadhara Dasji, who lived before Samvat 1791, such as "Mahamantri Padadharak Gurjardeshadhipati Shri GurjarDesha Maha Amari Ghoshna Karaka" (Holder of the great ministership, Lord of Gurjar country, Great announcer of Gurjar land), are particularly noteworthy and require verification through historical sources (Para 48).
  • Three Circumambulations: The detailed and elaborate description of the three circumambulations of the main hill of the Moolnayak is praised as being executed by the Shravak without any confusion (Para 52).
  • Vastupal and Tejpal's Temples: The mention of Vastupal's temple (Para 73) and also Tejpal's temple (Para 66).
  • Oldest Samvat: The oldest Samvat mentioned is 1330 (Para 70).
  • Rayanpaga's Temple: A record that there were not one, but two temples of Rayanpaga is mentioned (Para 71).
  • Temple Security: The fact that the Sangh of that era was not as careless about the preservation of the Tirth as it is today is understood from the mention of cannons placed at specific locations on the main hill (Para 75).
  • Nami-Vinami and Bharat-Bahubali Statues: The consecration of the statues of Nami-Vinami and Bharat-Bahubali in the third circumambulation on the left side of Rayanpaga in Samvat 1430 provides historical information (Para 85).
  • Sister of Adnathji: The interesting mention in the history of Adnathji (Adbhutnathji, Adbadji) of "Sister of Adbhutnathji, Bai Makalbai, sitting there" is noted, with Makalbai later becoming Manikbai (Para 107).
  • Bhimgar's Temple: A fascinating piece of information is that a temple was built and consecrated by a Gosain Baba Bhimgar on Shatrunjaya (Modini Tunk) (Para 111).
  • Pundarik Swami's Place: In Sakarvasai Tunk, the author demonstrates deep understanding by noting that while the Moolnayak is Parshvanath, the dehra (temple) built opposite the main temple, which was intended for Pundarik Swami, actually houses Parshvanathji (Para 124). The same paragraph also records the "pagla-deri" (footprint temple) of Muni Rup Vijayji of Ahmedabad, likely belonging to Pandit Rup Vijayji of Dhelawala Upashraya.
  • Jahangir and Khusru: Mention of Sultan Jahangir and Shahzada Khusru is made in Para 128. Jahangir's name also appears in Para 136.
  • Gomukh Yaksha's Charan: The mention of the temple of Gomukh Yaksha's Charan (footprints) is also present (Para 129), noting that footprints of deities are generally not found elsewhere.
  • Marudevi Mata: Next to Chau-mukhji Tunk, the Tunk of Marudevi Mata to the east is mentioned, with the primary image being of the Mother seated on an elephant, and another temple there belonging to the king of Samprati (Para 136).
  • Dharmashalas in Palitana: In Samvat 1908, there were a total of 21 Dharmashalas (rest houses) in Palitana, both large and small (Para 141).
  • Total Count of Structures: Para 144 provides clear statistics: a total of 900 temples/structures on Shatrunjaya and in Palitana city, 10,500 Jin-pratimas (idols), and 8,000 pairs of footprints (pagla).

Conclusion:

The introducer expresses hope that this compilation of "interesting and historically significant information" and "some excellent words" will prove useful to scholarly researchers.