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The Jains have made important contribu- Vimal Shah was a great warrior, builder of Visualisation of Nalini Gull aeroplane and he tions in various fields of life. At the time of temples and press of Jain culture. He has made his concept come alive in the famous Bhagwan Mahavir, Maharaja Shrenik, gone down into the history as one of the temples of Ranakpur. In those days. although a kshatriya, was observing jain great figures in annals of Jains.
Ranakpur was a very prosperous town. Even practices. The main tenets of jainism are
today this famous temple of Ranakpur is an Ahimsa non-violence, satya truth, Asteya not RAJA KUMARPAL
epitome of architectural beauty, built of stone to steel or expect to get from somebody else,
with 1,441 pillars. It is not only a important Brahmacharya celibacy, Aparigraha &
place of pilgrimage for the Jains, but also is limiting one's possessions and anekantvada Our Venerable Acharya Shri Hemchan
becoming a very popular tourist. trying to understand and accommodate views dracharya had impressed Raja Kumarpal of others to the extent possible in order to tremendously with the soul elevating estiblish harmony and peace.
philosophy of Jainism. It was due to his PETHADSHAH inspiration that Raja Kumarpal built the
famous temple of Shri laranga a temple SAMPRATI RAJA
He was a Jain and Minister in the court of known for its architectural beauty. He also
king of Mandavgadh (in present Madhya created many libraries for spreading the He was very much inspired by the
Pradesh). At the young age of 32, he took the knowledge of Jainism and he gave his
vow of celibacy and the famous temple of preachings of Sudatta Suri Maharaj. He built
sustained support to Acharya Shri Hemchantemples, sent preachers to various parts of dracharya to create jain literature. During the
Mandagarh of tirthankar Suparshwanath was Solanki period in Gujarat, Shantu Mehta,
built by him. Apart from building He was very India for preaching Jain doctrines. He was a
successful in commerce and was a famous great philanthrope. He built roads, water Udayan Mehta, Sajjan Mehta and several
merchant temples, his charities to the cause tanks for the companies of travellers. He also other Jain Ministers contributed generously
of humanity are also well known. created Jain libraries and his humanitarian towards the welfare of society.
The Jains have been in the forefront in work has been quite well-known in all parts of
philathrophy, and temple building. We many India. The idol sculptured under the VASTUPAL & TEJPAL
mention the names of Jagadushah, Javapatronage of Samprati Maharaja are to be
shah, Anand Shravak among others coming found in different parts of India.
Who among the Jains, do not know these to comparatively recent times, i.e., about 150
two names? These brothers were persons to 175 years ago, we have the famous SHRI VIMALSHAH with multifaceted activities in the field of example of Seth Motishah who was a
businessman of very high repute and he was field of literature, spreading of knowledge famous for his honesty, so much so that the He lived during the 11th century A.D. He and other religious activities. The famous English rulers were very much impressed by was a very religious minded Jain. He was very temples of Girnar and Mount Abu built of his upright behaviour. He was a highly brave, extremely intelligent and an marble with exquisite engraving are religious person who firmly belived and enthusiastic person. He was a Commander of testimony to their conception of beauty to practised the Jain tenets of Ahimsa (nonthe forces of Chalukya Maharaja Bhimdeo of give infinite solace to mankind. They were the violence). Satya (truth). Daya (mercy), Anhilpur, Patan. As a Commander of the Ministers of kind Veerdhaval.
Karuna (compassion) and the urge for Forces, he had to fight Mohammed of
service to humanity. He sustained all the Gaznavi, who attacked this part of India and destroyed many temples and mutilated Idols DHARNASHAH
during his lifetime with his tremendous
willpower and he was one of the topmost worshipped by the followers of various
businessmen of his times. The temples that religions. Finally. Gaznavi was defeated. On He was a Minister in Ranakumma ate built in Bombay-Byculla, Godell: Mount Abu in the present Rajasthan, Vimal Ranakpur has got its name from Ranakumma. Chintamani Parshwanath, etc. and the temple Shah built Jain temples of exquisite The temple of Ranakpur which dates back to that he built on the Sharatunja Hills can
craftsmanship, and unique beants. Shri 1446, was build on the basis of Dharnashah's Shri Motisha Tunk are all well-known." Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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