________________
Nirnay Prasad, Ajnan Timir Bhasker, Jain Tattwadarsh. He was also a poet of distinction and composed seven books of poetry dealing with worship in temples. He was an outstanding scholar of Sanskrit, Prakrit and other languages and credit for spread of Tapa Gachcha in Punjab entirely goes to him. He was invited to attend the Parliament of Religions held at Chicago in the S.E. 1949 as the sole representative of Jainism. Although he himself could not attend it, he sent his representative Vir Chand R Gandhi. He consecrated many temples in Punjab and other places. He was widely travelled person, as is evident from the rainy season stays at different places. Many educational institutions are named after him. He was succeeded by Vijay Vallabh Suri who carried on the work of spread of enlightenment among the Jains. He was succeeded by Vijay Samudra Suri and Vijay Inderdinn Suri.
Another group appointed Vijay Tilak Suri who expired in V.E.1676 and nominated Vijaynand Suri as his successor. The Jains of Sirohi remained much active and brought out a Sangh Yatra in V.E.1690 to Shatrunjay in which Vijayanand joined. His inscriptions from Sirohi area are found having the dates of V.E.1695 and 1698. After his death, Vijay Raj Suri succeeded and consecrated the Jain icon of Kolar (Sirohi) dated V.E.1721. He was succeeded by Vijay Ratna, Heer Ratna, Jay Ratna, Bhava Ratna Suri one after the other. Bhava Ratna remained active in the last quarter of 18th century A.D.
Another branch of Tapa Gachcha developed under Vijay Prabha Suri who succeeded Vijay Dev Suri. Under his instructions, the temple of Girnar was renovated in V.E.1710. The Adinath temple of Sirohi contains more than 40 inscriptions of V.E.1721. He remained active in Gujrat, Mewar, Godwar, Sirohi, Jalore and other areas. He died in V.E.1773.
The Tapa Gachcha monks carried on their work of religious propagation. One comes across the names of Vijay Kashma Murti, Vijay Daya Murti, Vijay Dharammurti, Jinendra Suri, Devendra Suri, Dharnendra Vijay, Rajendra Suri and many others succeeding one after the other in several branches of Tapa Gachcha known as Brihad Poshal, Leghu Poshal, Sagar Gachcha, Kutubpuria Gachcha, Brahmi Tapa Gachcha, Agmiya Shakha, Tapa Shakha, Ratnakar Gachcha, Vimal Shakha, Sodharma Brihad Tapa of Rajendra Suri.
Ayagapattas And The Beginnig Of Jaina Cult Worship
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
57
www.jainelibrary.org