Holy Abu

SR No.: 023259
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 380
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 233

In the Bhamati (circumambulatory passage ) of thë shrine is a staircase leading to the upper floor, beside which is stone chhatri ( a pavilion) with a stone pațţa (slab) of foot-prints. The nine pairs of foot-prints are dedicated to (1) Shri Jambūsvāmi the ancient great Jaina pontiff, (2) Shri Vijayadeva sūri, (3) Shri Vijayasimha sūri, (4) Panyāsa Shrī Satyavijaya gaṇī, (5) Panyāsa Shri Kapūravijaya gani, (6) Panyāsa Shrī Kșamāvijaya gaui, (7) Panyāsa Shri Jinavijaya gaṇī, (8) Panyāsa Shri Uttamavijaya ganī and (9) Panyāsa Shrī Padmavijaya ganī. The consecration of this pațța was done by Panyāsa Shri Rūpavijaya gani in V.S. 1888 (1831 A.D.)". The natives remember this as the Chhatrī of Rūpavijaya obviously because the monk performed the ceremony about a century and a quarter ago, which is still fresh in local memory.
On the upper floor again is a Chaumukha, just above the lower one, with Pārshvanātha, Ādinātha, Ādinātha and Ādinātha on the four faces, all the images being cast from metal (brass or bronze.) The image on the eastern face has no inscription but seems to be earlier in age than the other three having inscriptions dated in V.S. 1566 (1510 A. D.).: There are no more images worshipped on this floor.
In all this shrine has fourteen bronze images (12 of sitting Jinas, 2 of standing) which, according to popular belief, weigh in all 1444) maunds.:
1 Ābu, Vol. II, No. 481. 2 Ābu, Vol. II, Nos. 482-483.
: Different hymns and works composed at different periods speak of a total weight of 1400 or 1444 maunds of 4, 12 or 14 bronzes in this shrine. It is impossible to believe that the fourteen bronzes were purposely cast to make a total weight of 1444 maunds, since they were fashioned at different places and in different periods. Now according to Gurugunaratnākara