Tirthmalastava

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tirthmalastava" by Shilchandrasuri, based on the provided document:

Title: Tirthmalastava (A Garland of Tirthas) Author: Muni Chandrasuri (attributed based on the final verse, though the title page mentions Shri Munichandrasuri virachit Tirthmalastavah, with Vijayashilchandrasuri as the commentator/presenter) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Language: Prakrit

Overall Purpose and Significance:

The Tirthmalastava is a significant composition that aims to venerate all Jain Tirthas (sacred places), Jinapratimas (images of Jinaguru), and significant sites related to the lives of the Tirthankaras across the entire universe. It serves as a guide and a means of spiritual merit for the Jain community, encouraging remembrance and devotion to these holy places and the principles they represent. It's considered an act of "Bhavayatra" (mental pilgrimage).

Key Themes and Content:

1. Author and His Lineage:

   • The work is attributed to Muni Chandrasuri.
   • The final verse mentions a guru lineage: Mahendrasuri, Bhuvanchandra (or Bhuvanendra) Suri, Chandrasuri, and Muni Chandrasuri.

2. Dating:

   • The mention of the Jinalaya at Abu, built by Vastupala, suggests a composition date in the 14th century.
   • Further analysis of verse 99, referencing the age of a specific Tirtha, strongly indicates the author was active in the late 13th century. The calculation points to the late 1200s CE.

3. Genre of Tirthamala:

   • Tirthamalas are poetic compositions that describe or praise Jain Tirthas.
   • These Tirthas can be places where Jinapratimas are located, sites of significant life events ("Kalyanaka") of Tirthankaras, or places recognized as sacred for specific reasons.
   • While many Tirthamalas exist, especially in Gujarati, this particular work's distinction is its composition in Prakrit.

4. Structure and Content Breakdown:

   • Mangalasharan (Verses 1-5): The author begins with auspicious verses saluting the Arihants, the omniscient, omniscient-seeing Tirthankaras, the Siddhas, and the ultimate truth.
   • Gratitude and Commencement of Praise (Verses 6-11): The poet expresses his gratitude for being born human and having access to the Jinaprasada (grace of the Jinagurus). He then announces the start of his praise for the Jinagurus, highlighting their eighteen virtues and thirty-five excellences, and their eight great miracles.
   • Praise of Tirthankaras (Verses 12-22):
     • The text enumerates and praises the 24 Tirthankaras of the past (Verses 12-14).
     • It then praises the 24 Tirthankaras of the present (Verses 16-18).
     • Finally, it praises the 24 Tirthankaras of the future (Verses 19-22).
   • Eternal Jinapratimas and Tirthas (Verses 22-33):
     • The author describes numerous "eternal" (Shashvat) Jinapratimas and Chaityas located in various parts of the earthly realm (Bharat Kshetra and other areas).
     • He then details the eternal Jinapratimas found in the four types of heavenly abodes (Devalokas) (Verses 27-32).
     • Verse 33 clarifies that all these eternal statues are identified by four names: Rishabha, Chandranana, Vardhamana, and Varishigena.
   • Viharaman Jin (Living Tirthankaras) (Verses 34-39): The text lists and describes the 20 Tirthankaras currently in existence ("Viharaman Jin") and active in preaching.
   • Major Tirthas and Their Descriptions: The author proceeds to describe several prominent Jain Tirthas, dedicating specific verses to each:
     • Ashtapad Tirtha (Verses 42-45)
     • Ujjayant Tirtha (Girnar) (Verses 46-48)
     • Gajagra-pada Tirtha (Verses 49-55)
     • Takshashila-gat Dharmachakra Tirtha (Verses 56-58)
     • Ahichhatra Tirtha of Parshvanatha (Verses 59-63)
     • Rathavarta and Kunjaraavarta Tirthas of Vajraswami (Verses 64-66)
     • Chamarotpaada Tirtha of Susumarapura (Verses 67-68)
     • Samedha Shikhar (Mount Samet) (Verses 70-71)
     • Vimala Giri / Shatrunjaya Tirtha (Verses 73-75). Verse 74 is particularly interesting, mentioning that at Shatrunjaya, there were perhaps pedestals with the foot-symbols of 23 Tirthankaras (excluding Neminatha), reflecting a traditional belief.
     • Suparshva-stoopa Tirtha of Mathura (Verse 76)
     • Ashvaavabodha Tirtha of Bhrugukachha (Bharuch) (Verses 77-80). Verse 79 suggests the presence of sculptures of King Jitashatru, a horse, Samali, and Sudarshana in the Bharuch Jinalaya. Verse 80 indicates the statue of Munisuvratanatha might have been known as "Jivant Swami."
     • Parshvanatha Tirtha of Stambhanapura (Thana) and Vira Tirtha of Pavakagiri (Pavagadh) (Verse 81). This verse supports the historical fact that Pavagadh was a Śvetāmbara Jain Tirtha.
     • Ancient Nemiantha Statue at Padala village near Shankheshvara (Verse 82). This verse presents a new historical fact, suggesting this ancient statue was installed by a Kanauj king. It challenges a legend about it being brought by Ambika Devi for King Aama.
     • Rishabhadeva of Guddar Giri in Parkar Desha (Verse 83)
     • Chaityas of Bahadmer and Radarah (Verse 84)
     • Satyapura (Sachor) (Verses 85-86), mentioning wooden idols installed by a Kanauj king. Verse 85's phrase "panaras Vachharasie" is noted as potentially having a textual variation.
     • Verse 87 mentions the Vira Jin at "Yakshavasati," with a connection to wealth, and possibly two other chaityas in a connected passage (Verses 87-88) at Chirabhavana (Chandraprabha Jin) and Kumaravihara (Parshva Jin). This might refer to places in Patan.
     • Stupas and Chaityas of Vira Jin at Bambhevi, Palli, Nanay, and Devanand (Verse 89).
     • Vira Chaitya at a village named Nandisamaesa in Mewar, built by Shakatala Mantri (Verse 90). This highlights a potentially unknown historical detail.
     • Life of Sukosala Muni at Muggilgiri (in Chittor?) (Verse 91).
     • Arbudachala (Mount Abu) (Verses 92-96), praising its glory. Verse 92 mentions ten family members of Minister Vimala arriving on elephants. Verse 93 describes another grand Jinalaya built by Vastupala.
     • Mulastahala at the foot of Arbudagiri, under the Nandivriksha, where Vira Prabhu meditated in Kayotsarga during his layman life (Verse 97).
     • Installation of Vira Prabhu's statue by a householder named Punyaraja, 37 years after Vira Prabhu's birth (Verse 98). This suggests strong ancient oral traditions.
     • Verse 99 estimates the age of this Tirtha to be slightly less than 1800 years at the time of writing, helping to date the author to the late 13th century CE.
     • Tarangiri (Taranga), Kumarpal, Ajitanatha (Verse 100).
     • Jivant Swami statue of Munisuvratanatha and Vira Jin statues 1700 years old at Vayatanagara (Verse 101). It speculates that miraculous statues might be called Jivant Swami.
     • Mentions of historical places like Shrimal, Arasan, Bramhan (Varman), Anandpur, Siddhpur, Kasadrah, Ajjahar (Ajara) (Verse 102).
   • Praise of Jinabimbas in Various Regions (Verses 103-104): The author praises visible and invisible, heard and unheard Jinabimbas in various regions like Gurjar, Malwa, Konkan, Maharashtra, Kutch, Panchal, Marudesh, Sambhar, Mathura, Hastinapur, Sauripura, Tribhuvanagiri, Gopagiri, Kashi, Avant, and Mewar.
   • Concluding Verses (Verses 105-111): The remaining verses are a comprehensive salutation to various Jinapratimas, Tirthas (eternal and non-eternal), and places of the Tirthankaras' Kalyanaka across different Jambudvipa continents and regions. The author concludes by stating his name (implicitly, through the lineage mentioned earlier) and his devotion.

Key Historical and Cultural Insights:

• Vastupala's Patronage: Reinforces the historical importance of Vastupala and Tejpal as patrons of Jainism.
• Kanauj Kings' Influence: Highlights the role of Kanauj kings in establishing Jain idols in places like Padala.
• Jivant Swami Tradition: Suggests a practice of calling miraculous Jinapratimas "Jivant Swami."
• Iconography: Mentions the presence of sculptures of specific figures, providing insights into the artistic practices of the time.
• Pilgrimage Traditions: Details numerous significant Tirthas, illustrating the extensive network of Jain pilgrimage.
• Attribution and Commentary: The text seems to be a work by Muni Chandrasuri, possibly commented upon or presented by Vijayashilchandrasuri.

In essence, the Tirthmalastava is a devotional work that serves as a comprehensive catalog and praise of Jain sacred sites and Tirthankaras, offering valuable historical and cultural information about Jain traditions and practices.