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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Introduction
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Even these references found from eighth century onwards are not continuous. The later Bhattāraka traditions generally begin from the thirteenth century A. D., which continue upto the present day. 4. Literary Contribution
This volume contains references to about 400 compositions of various Bhattārakas. This literature is mainly divided into three topics : epics, stories and texts for worship. Epics and stories are generally smaller reductions of stories found in the Padmapurāņa of Ravisena, Harivamsapurāņa of Jinasena and Mahāpurāņa of Jinasena and Gunabhadra. These are found in Sanskrit, Prākrit, Apabhransa, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Rajasthani. Various Purāņas by Sakalakirti of Ider and numerous Vratakathās by Srutasāgarasūri are noteworthy. References are also found to works on grammar, astrology, prosody, logic, metaphysics, medicine, mathematics and other allied subjects. 5. Contribution towards Art and Architecture
Installation of various images was considered to be the main work of a Bhattāraka. These ceremonies presented a good opportunity for large religious and social gatherings and to establish one's prestige in the society. Various titles such as Sanghapati, Seth etc., were conferred upon chief donators of the ceremony.
More than a thousand images were installed at a single ceremony by Jinachandra at Mudasa (Rajasthan) chief donator was Seth Jivarāj Papadiwāl. These images were later on sent to a large number of temples all over India. They are found right from Amritsar to Madras and from Girnar to Calcutta. This ceremony took place on the Akşaya Tritiya of Sam. 1548 (1492 A. D.)
Some twenty types of images were installed during this age. The largest number of images were of Pārsvanātha, the twentythird Tirthankara. Temples, pillars and other monuments formed an important part of Bhattārakas' work. 6. Instruction
Preservation of manuscripts was the most valuable work done in this age. Works on grammar, medicine, mathematics
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