Jain Journal 1975 01

SR No.: 520037
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 2 MB

Page 20

JAIN JOURNAL
Then we have mention of the following persons of the Agravala Gamgalu-gotra. Savala Simghavi, Bhramara Simghavi and Kesara Simghavi who were the sons of Sa Gulaladasa and his Bha Mula-de. Here Sā stands for Sadhu often used in the mediaeval documents before the names of members of the mercantile community while bhā stands for Bhāryā (wife) and de (in Mula-de) for Devi. The well-known surname Simghavi is a modification of Samghapati which was the designation of one who led and bore the cost of a group of pilgrims visiting Jaina holy places. Thus the above parts of the records suggest that the three Simghavi brothers Savala, Bhramara and Kesara established a Tirthankara image at Dacca, which was installed by the Digambara religious teacher Rupacandra. It is not possible to say whether the brothers were residents of Dacca or visited the city in connection with their mercantile activities.
After the name of Kesara Simghavi, there is an unread passage which contained an unknown number of letters and is followed by the words pratişthā kārāpitāni serapurentike...dhākāyām pratisthā.. pādukānām śreyostu pādukā ādināth-ki/guru-pădukā. It will be seen that there are two lost passages in the above quoted concluding section of the inscription. There is some difficulty with the word kārāpitāni (in the plural), standing for Sanskrit kāritāni, in the section. Probably the intended reading was pratişthā kārāpitā, i.e., installation of certain objects was caused to be made at a place called Serapura and also in its antika or neighbourhood. It is also possible to think that kārāpitāni serapure refers to the making of certain objects at Serapura and their installation at a neighbouring locality or at Dacca.
The lost letters in the following passage may probably be restored as follows:
dhākāyām pratişthā (kārapitā) pādukānām, i.e., foot-prints were caused to be installed at Dacca (probably by the same Simghavi brothers.) Owing to the fragmentary condition of this part of the document, it is difficult to say whose foot-prints are referred to here.
The above is followed by the word śreyostu. Let there be good (out of the pious deed) which indicates the end of the original document. The words indicating the installation, at the same place of the footprints of the first Tirthankara Adinatha and of the Guru (probably a Dharmacarya) at a subsequent date may have been added sometime later.