Ujjayantgirina Purva Prakashit Abhilekho Vishe - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Gujarati text, which is an essay titled "Ujjayantgirina Purva Prakashit Abhilekho Vishe" (About Previously Published Inscriptions of Ujjayantgiri) by M. A. Dhaky, published in "Nirgranth Aetihasik Lekh Samucchay - Part 1 & Part 2". The essay critically examines and reinterprets several historical inscriptions found at the pilgrimage site of Ujjayantgiri (Girnar).

The author begins by stating that many important inscriptions published in various sources concerning Ujjayantgiri have not been adequately evaluated. He attributes this to:

Faulty readings of original texts: Errors made by those transcribing the inscriptions.
Lack of knowledge among editors and compilers: Some lacked expertise in Jain literature and historical traditions.
Superficial translation/interpretation: A tendency to provide only the essential meaning as understood by the editor, rather than thorough research.

Dhaky then proceeds to re-examine and analyze approximately nine significant inscriptions, offering re-readings and deeper investigations wherever possible.

Here's a breakdown of the key inscriptions discussed:

1. Inscription of Jasayoga (Samvat 1194 / CE 1138):

This short, three-line inscription was brought to light by Chh. M. Atri.
It dates to Samvat 1194 (CE 1138) and is possibly the oldest inscription found on Girnar.
It falls under the reign of the Chalukya ruler Jayasinhadeva Siddharaja's established rule in Saurashtra.
The inscription is on a stone slab in the traditional style of memorial pillars.
The upper part depicts a relief of a horse-riding figure with an umbrella held overhead, suggesting a person of importance.
While the inscription itself doesn't specify the reason, the author conjectures it might mark the accidental or intentional death (perhaps through sallekhana) of Thakkar Jasayoga on Girnar.
Jasayoga, bearing the title 'Thakkur', was likely a Jain nobleman of that era, but no further information is available from existing sources.

2. Inscription on the Northern Gate of the Nemnath Jinālaya:

The reading of this inscription was provided by Burgess-Cousins.
It was inscribed on a stone on the inner wall of the northern gate of the jagatī (platform) of the Nemnath temple.
Unfortunately, during recent renovations, the stones bearing inscriptions became disarranged, and this important inscription is now lost. Therefore, reliance must be placed on the original Burgess-Cousins reading.
The author provides a corrected reading with bracketed additions for clarity.
The exact year is lost, but it clearly indicates the reign of "Siddhachakrapati (Siddhachakravarti) Shri Jayasinhadeva."
A significant mention is of "Karāyatan" (Karnāyatan).
According to Vijayansuri's Revantgiri Raso (CE 1032), after defeating Khangar, Siddharaja appointed Sajjan as the administrator of Saurashtra, who rebuilt the old Nemnath temple in Samvat 1185 (CE 1129).
According to Prabhachandracharya's Prabhavak Charit (Samvat 1334 / CE 1278), Saurashtra was under Sajjan's authority for nine years before the rebuilding (since CE 1120).
Historians estimate Siddharaja's conquest of Saurashtra to be around CE 1115.
The inscription fully supports the later tradition (14th-15th century) of the temple being named "Karnavihara" after Karnadeva, Siddharaja's father.
The author refutes previous interpretations by Bhagwanlal Indraji and Burgess. Bhagwanlal dated it to CE 1120 (Samvat 1166), attributing it to minister Sajjan and incorrectly placing it in the southern gate.
Burgess and Burgess-Cousins published two readings, both with variations and some errors. They also failed to identify the muni (monks) mentioned.
During recent repairs, one of the two stones of the inscription was cut, and the stones were rearranged, making reading difficult. The last three-four letters of each of the six lines are also lost.
The corrected text identifies Śrī Candra Sūri and mentions Mahāmātya (minister) but not Sajjan. The date is read as 1276, but considering Shri Chandrasuri's lifespan, it should be 1209 or 1216. The author suggests the '7' might be an error by the engraver. The inscription is likely from CE 1150 or CE 1160.
Shri Chandrasuri's literary works span from CE 1113 to CE 1172. His lineage is traced to the Chandra kula.

3. Inscription on the Inner Wall of the Northern Gate (Re-examined):

This inscription is still present on the inner wall of the northern gate, among a row of devakulikās (small shrines) of the Nemnath temple.
Burgess had previously identified it as a grant of Sajjan minister from CE 1120 (Samvat 1166), but this was incorrect.
The author provides a further corrected reading and interpretation of the inscription, noting that Sajjan's name is absent and the date might be 1276 or, more likely, 1209 or 1216, placing it around CE 1150 or CE 1160.
The author identifies Shri Chandrasuri as belonging to the Nagendra Gachchha.

4. Another Ancient Inscription on the Northern Gate:

This inscription, with its corrupted language and obscure architectural terms, was also not correctly interpreted by earlier scholars.
It is also in a dilapidated state.
The author presents a corrected reading of this inscription: "Samvat 1215 Chaitra Shudi 8, Sunday. On the jagatī of the holy Ujjayanttirtha (Nemnath temple), all the devakulikās (with their chhājā, chhajja, kuvāli, sāvaraṇā etc.), along with the Sanghapati Thakkur Sālvāhana, the Sūtradhāra Jasaḍa (son of Sahadeva) completed the work. Also, Thakkur Pandit Salvahana (son of Bharata) caused a kund (tank) to be made around Nāgmorzharā, with four images, and the devakulikā of its presiding deity Ambikādevi was also made."
Burgess-Cousins omitted architectural terms in their translation and their translation was flawed. Muni Jinvijayji made some improvements but couldn't understand terms like kuvāli and saviraṇ. Girijashankar Acharya retained earlier errors.
The "Nagazhara" mentioned is also found in 15th-century travelogues related to Girnar, located near the "Gajendrapad-Kund" (Elephant Footprint Tank).

5. Nishēdhikā Inscription (Samvat 1244 / CE 1188):

This inscription was found amidst the ruins of the Nemnath temple.
Chh. Mad Atri published its reading with commentary, but the author's reading and interpretation differ significantly.
The seven-line inscription states: "In Samvat 1244 (CE 1188), Vaishakh Shudi 3, Vadīndra Shri Anandasuri's disciple Shri Prabhanandasuri, along with the Sangh from Sapādalaksha (region), and Senapati Shridudha, came for a pilgrimage and attained kāladharma (death) at Suradhārā. Is this a memorial to his death?"
The author speculates that "Vadīndra Anandasuri" was likely the famous "Vadī Anandasuri" of the Nagendra Gachchha, who was given the title "Vyāghashishuk" (tiger cub) by Jayasinhadeva Siddharaja due to his sharp dialectical skills.
The probable time of Vadīndra Anandasuri and Vadī Anandasuri suggests they are the same person.
Prabhanandasuri's death date (CE 1188) falls within the reign of Chalukya Bhimadeva II.
The place "Suradhara" where Prabhanandasuri passed away might be the current Gomukhi Ganga stream or a place where water falls into a tank near Elephant Footprints.

6. Inscription on the Nandishvardvīpa Paṭṭa (Samvat 1256 / CE 1200):

This inscription, found in the pavilion of Sangram Soni's temple (originally likely in the Nemnath temple's bhamti or circumambulatory path), is correctly read but its meaning has been misunderstood.
It was originally edited by Dattatreya Balakrishna Diskalkar and later included in Acharya's compilation.
The inscription is carved in the top corners of the plaque. The left corner is damaged, losing some initial letters.
The author clarifies previous misinterpretations and asserts the inscription's reliability.
The inscription details a lineage and a Guruvansh (lineage of preceptors).
It mentions a Dandanāyaka (commander) named "(Amra)deva" from the Shrimali caste, who was like the moon to the Shrimali lineage and comparable to the sun of the Chalukya dynasty, adept at upholding the ruler's authority.
His son was Abhayada, and his grandson Vasantpala, who was honored with royal fortune.
Vasantpala, at Jagadeva's request, commissioned the "Nandishvardvīpa Paṭṭa" (a plaque depicting Nandishvardvīpa) with fifty-two Jain images for his father's welfare.
Shri Chandrasuri's disciple, Shri Jineshwarasuri, and his disciple Shri Devendrasuri, consecrated this plaque on the Ujjayant mountain.
The inscription dates the plaque's installation to Samvat 1256 (CE 1200), Jeth Shudi 13, Friday.
The plaque maker's (Vasantpala) grandfather, "Dandanayaka Deva," is identified as Ambaak, son of Ranig, who was also the administrator of Saurashtra and oversaw the construction of ramparts (pājā) on Girnar.
The author's proposed lineage of the plaque maker: Shrimalvansh (Mahattam Ranig) -> Dandanayaka (Amra)deva (Mahattam Ambaak) -> Abhayada -> Vasantpala.
The consecrating Acharya, Devendrasuri, is identified as belonging to the Rajgachchha lineage, tracing back through Shri Chandrasuri and Jineshwarasuri.

7. Inscription of the Varahadiya Family (Samvat 1299 / CE 1243):

This inscription, dating to the time of the Vaghela dynasty and minister Tejpal, was published by Shri Atri.
Although the author couldn't inspect the original, he provides a corrected reading and detailed discussion.
The inscription records the charitable deeds of the Varahadiya family, who were contemporaries of Vastupala-Tejpal.
It mentions the family's contributions on Girnar and elsewhere.
The inscription notes the creation and consecration of a shatakam (a set of six) of Nemnath images by Thakkur Shedha Lahada, at the behest of minister Tejpal, in the Vastu-Pal Vihara.
It also mentions their work on the Adi-nath temple, a devakulikā with a ḍaṇḍakalasa in Shatrujay, a devakulikā of Sachchaura-deva in Vastu-Pal Vihara, a Mahavir image on Arbuda-chala, and a Nemnath temple on Arbuda-chala.

8. Inscription of Padmasimha and Salakshanasimha (Samvat 1305 / CE 1249):

This inscription on pabāsaṇ (stone slab) records that Padmasimha, son of Chahaḍ (son of minister Udayan), along with his brother Salakshanasimha, had a Parsvanath image installed on Ujjayantgiri in Samvat 1305 (CE 1249) for the welfare of their parents.
The slab is currently placed behind the idol of Mallinath in the sanctum of the Vastupala Vihara.
The inscription mentions that it was consecrated by Shri Jayānandasuri, disciple of Shri Pradyumnasuri of the Brihadgachchha.
The author reconstructs the family tree: Shrimalkul (Minister Udayan) -> Chahaḍ -> Padmasimha = Prithvidevi -> Mahattama Samantsimha (Samvat 1320) and Mahamatya Salakshanasimha (Samvat 1305).
The author discusses the identity of the consecrating Acharya, Jayānandasuri, and his guru-parampara, linking them to the Udayan Vihara of Ashapalli.

9. Fragmentary Inscription near the Southern Gate (Chudāsama Period):

This fragmented inscription, located on the western dehari (shrine) wall near the southern gate of the Nemnath temple complex, was first read by Burgess-Cousins and later by Diskalkar.
It belongs to the Chudāsama period, likely during the reign of King Mahipaladeva. If it's Mahipaladeva I, it's from the second or third decade of the 14th century; if Mahipaladeva II, it's from the third quarter of the 15th century.
The author fills in the missing parts of the inscription based on 15th-century Girnar chaitya-paripāṭis (temple descriptions).
The inscription refers to the construction of a kulikā (shrine) of Dharmanath by Sadhu Sālig (son of Sadhu-vairasiha) and his son Sadhu Mela (Melagari) of the Osvāl lineage.
The consecrating Acharya is identified as Muni Simhasuri of the Siddhāntika-gachchha.
The author suggests the inscription might date around CE 1438, considering other major temples built around that time.
The inscription's patrons are identified as from the Osvāl dynasty, possibly Sadhu Sālig and his son Sādhuvairasinha, whose wife might have been named "Melādevi".
The inscription refers to the "Nāgmorzharā" and "Indra-mandapa" mentioned in other texts.

General Observations and Refutations:

The author provides a detailed table summarizing the inscriptions discussed, their dates, locations, and the scholars who edited or compiled them.
He notes that no inscriptions prior to the Siddharaja-Kumarpala era have been found, although literary and sculptural evidence of an earlier period exists.
Inscriptions after the Vaghela period largely belong to the Chudāsama dynasty, up to the last king Ra'mandalik, followed by Mughal and British-era inscriptions.
A few Digambara inscriptions are found, dating from the 15th century onwards, but no Brahmana inscriptions or evidence of Brahmana temples on the mountain have been found.
The author addresses and refutes several misconceptions and errors perpetuated by modern Jain authors, particularly regarding the dates and nature of inscriptions related to the Nemnath temple. He clarifies that inscriptions attributed to earlier dates like CE 1113, 1134, and 1135 are actually from the 13th century (CE 1278, 1334, 1335 respectively) and relate to donations, not repairs or new constructions as previously believed.
He specifically debunks the long-held belief originating from Colonel Tod about old temples being replaced by new ones in CE 1215, clarifying that the inscription from that date refers to the completion of devakulikā constructions, not temple replacement.
The author concludes by stating that the detailed discussion of the architecture and original sources will be found in his forthcoming work, "Mahatirtha Ujjayanta Giri."

In essence, M. A. Dhaky's essay is a scholarly endeavor to rectify and clarify the understanding of the epigraphical history of Girnar, emphasizing the importance of accurate readings, thorough research, and critical analysis of previously published Jain inscriptions.