Vayad Gaccha Ka Itihas

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vayad Gaccha ka Itihas" by Shivprasad, based on the provided PDF pages:

Introduction and Origin:

The Vayad Gaccha (or Vayadiya) is a significant Svetambara Jain monastic lineage that emerged from the ancient and medieval town of Vayad (also known as Vayata). It is considered the third most important lineage after the Tharapad and Modgaccha. The name of the lineage is derived from its place of origin, Vayad, which was historically a renowned center.

Historical Evidence and Timeline:

• Early Mentions (11th Century): The existence of the Vayad Gaccha is confirmed through several inscription-based evidences, primarily on brass Jina images.
  • An inscription from Bharuch, dated VS 1086 / 1030 CE, mentions the lineage.
  • Another inscription from Sanand, dated VS 1131 / 1075 CE, also refers to it.
  • Inscriptions from Shatrunjaya, dated VS 1129 and VS 1132, further support its presence.
  • These records clearly indicate that the Gaccha was well-developed by the 11th century CE.
• Later Mentions (Medieval Period):
  • Medieval administrative texts describe the monks of the Vayad Gaccha as Chaityavasi (residing in temples).
  • The primary center of the Vayad Gaccha was Vayad Nagar, which housed a temple of Jivant Swami. This temple is listed among the 84 pilgrimage sites in the Kalpadipra.
  • The Paurana Prabandhasangraha (15th century CE) mentions temples of Jivant Swami, Munisuvrata, and Mahavira in Vayata, associated with Minister Udayan's son, Vaghbhatta.
  • The Ashtottariteerthmala by Mahendrasuri (1237 CE) and the Chaityaparipati Stavan by Sangamuri (12th century CE) also describe Vayata as a great pilgrimage site.
  • The Sakalateertha Stotra by Sadharanank Siddhasena Suri (circa 1060-75 CE) also mentions Vayata as a Jain pilgrimage.
• Renovation and Leadership:
  • According to the Prabhavakcharita (1278 CE), Minister Limba of King Vikramaditya renovated the Mahavira temple in Vayata and appointed Jivdeva Suri, a disciple of Rashill Suri and descendant of Jintatt Suri, as its overseer.
  • The Prabandhakosha (1349 CE) corroborates this, though it names the minister as Nimba.
  • While the connection to Vikramaditya might be anachronistic, it's plausible that a minister named Nimba or Limba during the Gurjara-Pratihara period (9th century CE) commissioned the temple, aligning with the estimated period of Jivdeva Suri.

Key Figures and Lineage (Guru-Shishya Parampara):

The text details the lineage and significant acharyas of the Vayad Gaccha:

1. Jivdeva Suri 'Pratham':
   • Considered an ancient acharya, adept in parakaya pravesh vidya (the ability to enter another's body).
   • His guru was Rashill Suri, and his praguru (guru's guru) was Jintatt Suri.
   • He is mentioned with great respect by various Jain authors like Dhanpal, Lakshman Gani, Upadhyay Chandraprabha, Prabha Chandra, and Rajashekhara.
   • His known work is Jinasnatravidhi, upon which Chandragacchiy Goggachary's disciple Samudrasuri composed a commentary in 950 CE.
   • While Prabhavakcharita and Prabandhakosha place him in the time of Vikramaditya, modern scholars estimate his period to be around the 8th-9th centuries CE.
2. Jintatt Suri:
   • A contemporary of minister Vastupal-Tejpala.
   • His known works are Vivekavilasa and Shakunashastra.
   • Vivekavilasa, a 12-chapter work with 1323 verses, was completed in 1221 CE and deals with daily life, seasonal routines, life events, causes of sin and merit, spiritual contemplation, and duties after death.
   • Shakunashastra is a poetic work discussing auspicious and inauspicious omens related to birth, marriage, sleep, morning routines, travel, etc.
3. Rashill Suri:
   • Mentioned as a prominent acharya in the lineage.
   • His disciples included Jintatt Suri and Jivdeva Suri.
4. Amarchandra Suri:
   • A disciple of Jintatt Suri and honored by Vaghel king Vishaldev and his ministers Vastupal-Tejpala.
   • He was formerly a Brahmin of the Vayata region.
   • His significant works include:
     • Balabharata: A retelling of the Mahabharata, divided into 18 parvas and 44 sargas, containing 6950 verses. It's estimated to have been composed between 1277 CE and 1294 CE.
     • Padmananda Mahakavya: A biography of the first Tirthankara, Adinatha, named after Minister Padma who commissioned it. It has 19 sargas and 6381 verses, based on Hemachandra's Trishashtishalakapurushacharitra. It was likely composed between 1294 CE and 1297 CE.
     • Chaturvimsati Jinendra Sankshipta Charitraani: A brief biography of the 24 Tirthankaras in 24 chapters and 1802 verses.
   • Other known works include Kavyakalpalata, Kavyakalpalata Vritti (also known as Kavi Shiksha), Syadashabdusamuchchaya, Kavyakalpalata Parimal, Chhandoranavali, Alankara Prabodha, Kalakalapa, Kavyakalpalata Manjari, and Suktaavali.

Key Narrative Element:

The text recounts a story where a Brahmin named Lalla converted to Jainism after witnessing the violence in animal sacrifices. He built a Mahavira temple. Enraged Brahmins placed a dead cow in the temple at night. However, through the miraculous power of Jivdeva Suri, the cow moved and fell into a nearby Brahma temple. The subsequent agreement between the parties confirmed that the followers of this Gaccha adhered to the Chaityavasi tradition.

Later Inscriptions and Evidence:

Further epigraphic evidence from the 14th century CE (VS 1139 to 1349) indicates the continued existence and independent presence of the Vayad Gaccha for approximately 150 years. An inscription from VS 1338 shows a shift in practice, where statues were now consecrated by monks or acharyas themselves, rather than by lay followers.

Final Mention:

The last known evidence of the Vayad Gaccha is an inscription on a stone statue of the renowned acharya Amarchandra Suri, a disciple of Jintatt Suri, dated VS 1349. This inscription signifies the respect and veneration shown by the followers towards their past acharyas.

Conclusion:

The "Vayad Gaccha ka Itihas" meticulously traces the origins, historical presence, key figures, literary contributions, and practices of the Vayad Gaccha, highlighting its significant role in the development and preservation of Svetambara Jainism, particularly from the 11th to the 14th centuries CE. The text provides valuable insights into the monastic traditions, scholarly achievements, and devotional practices of this lineage.