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## Editorial
Along with the completion of his work, the author has also mentioned the places where he composed it. This information is found in the last two verses (66, 52-53) of the text, where he states that the majority of the work was composed while seated in the Parshvanath temple of Vardhamanpur, and the remaining portion was written in the peaceful temple of Shanti Nath, where the people of Dostatika had organized a grand puja. At that time, Indrayudh ruled in the north, Krishna's son Shrivallabh in the south, and the Avanti king Vatsaraj in the east, while Veer Jayavarah ruled in the west and Saurashtra (Solar Mandala). These mentions are very important and have been used by all historians. However, some confusion has arisen regarding certain points. One opinion is that the text mentions Avantiraj Vatsaraj in the east and Veer Jayavarah, the king of Saurashtra, in the west. However, according to another opinion, the text should be understood as mentioning Avantiraj in the east, Vatsaraj and Veer Jayavarah in the west. There is also disagreement about which Vardhamanpur is the midpoint of these kingdoms. Both of us, the chief editors of this series of texts, do not agree on this point. According to Dr. Upadhye, this Vardhamanpur is the present-day Vadhavan in Kathiawar, and it was from this same Punnat Sangha that Harishena, 148 years later, composed the Brihatkatha Kosha in the Saka year 853 (see the introduction to that text, page 121). However, Dr. Hiralal Jain, in one of his articles (Indian Culture, Volume 11, 1944-45, page 161, etc., and Jain Siddhant Bhaskar, 12-2), has attempted to prove that the Vardhamanpur mentioned by Jinesen is the present-day Badnawar in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, as its ancient name is found there, and the ruins of ancient Jain temples still exist there. The village of Dutariya (ancient Dostatika) is located nearby, and the boundaries of the mentioned kingdoms are historically accurate from there. Along with this question, the history of the Punnat Sangha's branch coming from Karnataka and establishing itself in Vardhamanpur, and its existence for at least a century and a half between Jinesen and Harishena, is also worth investigating. Simply mentioning the Sangha's arrival for the Girnar pilgrimage and their stay in Vardhamanpur does not reveal the full significance of this great event. It is possible that the establishment of this Sangha Peeth is related to the increasing dominance of the Rashtrakuta kings, the great patrons of Jainism, in Malwa and Gujarat. According to inscriptions, these regions were brought under the control of the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga around 750 AD.
In the final verse of the text, this Harivansh Purana is called a Shriparvat, which the poet has taken refuge in for the benefit of enlightenment, and he expresses the hope that this Shriparvat will spread in all directions and become more stable, establishing itself on earth. The question is, what is the significance of the poet comparing his work to Shriparvat? Upon reflection, a significant history of a stream of Indian culture is hidden here. The Shriparvat is mentioned in many places in Buddhist literature. This mention in the Manjusri Mulakalpa (page 88) is particularly noteworthy:
"Shriparvate Mahashaile Dakshinapatha Sanjnake. Shri Dhanyakatake Chaitye Jin Dhatupare Bhuvi. Siddhyante Mantra-Tantras Vai Kshiprm Sarvarth Karmasu."
According to this mention, there is a chaitya on the Mahashail called Shriparvat near Dhanyakatak in Dakshinapatha, where the bones and ashes of Jin (Buddha) are preserved. By practicing there, mantras and tantras become quickly realized, and all desires are fulfilled. Not only in Buddhist literature, but other great Sanskrit poets have also mentioned the fame of Shrishail. For example, the great poet Bana, in his Kadambari story, calls the old Dravidian religious character "Shriparvata Acharya Varta Sahasrabhijna," and in Harshacharita, Harsha himself says, "Sakalpranayimanorathasiddhi Shriparvatah." Bhavabhuti, in his play Malatimadhava, calls the Buddhist nun Soudamini, who is a character in the play, "Shriparvata Acharya Varta Sahasrabhijna."