Two Unpublished Caitya Paripatis On Citod Tirtha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Two Unpublished Caitya Paripatis on Citod Tirtha" by Jitendra B. Shah:

The article introduces Caitya Paripatis as a significant genre of metrical literature in medieval Jainism, alongside Tirthamalas. Caitya Paripatis specifically focus on pilgrimages to Jain holy sites (tirthas), detailing the routes taken, observations made at the sites, the caityas (temples) and the Jinas (Jain Tirthankaras) enshrined within them, along with other relevant information like founders' names and foundation dates. While not always artistically significant, these compositions are invaluable historical records of Jain places of worship during the medieval period. The author highlights the efforts of previous scholars in editing and bringing such works to light and then introduces his own contribution: the publication of two previously unpublished Caitya Paripatis related to the Citod-tirtha (also known as Citradurga-tirtha) in Mewar, Rajasthan. For comparative purposes, an earlier published "Citod Paripati" by a disciple of "Jayahema" is also included.

The article then elaborates on the subjects of Tirthamalas and Caitya Paripatis. It explains that Tirthamalas, originating slightly earlier than Caitya Paripatis, filled historical gaps regarding Jain tirthas and temples, often providing unique information. Unlike other Jain literary genres, Tirthamalas exclusively focus on Jain holy places, offering insights into their geographical locations, the antiquity of caityas, linguistic history, general history, trade routes, and the prosperity of towns along these routes. This literature is crucial for understanding the status of Jainism in specific centuries and regions, and it often serves as the only source of information for sites that were later destroyed or abandoned. The language used in earlier Tirthamalas was Sanskrit and Prakrit, while the Caitya Paripatis, including the ones being presented, are composed in Old Gujarati (Maru-Gurjara-bhāṣā).

The two presented Citod-tirtha Caitya Paripatis describe the journeys of Jain congregations (Sanghas) undertaking pilgrimages to Citod. They detail the routes followed and the Jain temples and Jinalayas visited along the way.

The First Caitya Paripathi:

• Authored by an unknown disciple of Bhavsagara Suri of the Vidhipaksa.
• The colophon indicates the author's identity as a disciple of Bhavsagara Suri.
• A single manuscript is preserved in the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad.
• The manuscript dates to the 17th century.
• The composition is dated Samvat 1562 (A.D. 1506).
• The language is simple and easy to understand.
• It briefly describes the pilgrimage route from Patan to Citrakuta/Citod, mentioning the caityas and villages visited. The opening lines express devotion to Parsva Jineśvara and the intention to purify oneself through the pilgrimage to Citod.

The Second Citrakuta Paripathi:

• The author's name and lineage are not mentioned.
• The initial 35 stanzas are missing.
• A transcript was obtained by Professor Dhaky from the Oriental Institute, Baroda.
• The date of composition is estimated to be the late 16th or early 17th century based on language and content.
• This Paripati describes a pilgrimage to Citod from Urandi, mentioning the villages on the route.

The article then provides historical context about Citod:

• Citod is a significant town in Mewar, historically known as a land of heroes.
• The hill fort, Citodgadh, is of ancient origin. Tradition suggests Citrangada renovated it, leading to its name Citrakuta.
• It was reportedly settled by Amarsimha Rana in Samvat 902 (A.D. 846).
• Siddhasena Divakara (5th century A.D.) is also associated with Citod.
• Haribhadra Suri (c. A.D. 700-784) was born and active in Citod.
• Hemachandra (active c. 1130-1172) included Citod in his hymn.
• In A.D. 1110, two Vidhipaksa Jain temples were founded and consecrated by Jinavallabha Suri.
• Later foundations and consecrations are mentioned, including those by Viśāla Shravaka (A.D. 1383), Jinaraja Suri (A.D. 1388), and Somsundara Suri (A.D. 1433).
• Prime Minister Saranavalji also constructed several Jinālayas.
• Acārya Jinvallabha Suri constructed two Vidhicaityas in the early 12th century A.D.
• The Manastambha and a nearby Jinamandira (late 13th century A.D.) belong to the Digambara sect.
• All other extant Jain temples are of the Svetambara sect.
• Karma Sah Oswal (early 16th century), who revived the prestige of Satrunjaya-tirtha, was a resident of Citod.
• Citod was a major Jain religious and pilgrimage center.

The article concludes by stating that the two presented Paripatis describe the journeys of two such congregations. The first describes the journey from Patan to Citod, beginning with an invocation to Parsva Jineśvara. The second describes the pilgrimage from Urandi to Citrakuta, detailing the route and the prosperity of some of the towns passed through. The extensive appended text appears to be the transcription of the actual Paripatis, listing numerous towns, villages, and the number of Jinālayas or Jina images encountered on these pilgrimages, providing a rich geographical and devotional itinerary. The third text, the "Citod Chaitya Paripati" by Jayahem's disciple, offers a similar descriptive account of the city and its religious sites.