Jain Journal 1972 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 27

JANUARY, 1972
107
indicate the religious tolerance and liberal attitude of the Jainas who did not mind portrayal of a mosque and a dancing girl in such a document.
As already said, the language used in the document is a mixture of vernacular and Sanskrit. Evidently the tradition of the study of Sanskrit among the Jainas continued, side by side with their patronage of the local dialects. They were particularly appreciative of local poets, as can be seen from the fact that the verses included in the scroll are by one Gulvijay of Merta. These verses can be sung in definite rāgas and these have also been mentioned. The verses contain useful material for social history. For instance verse 5 in the scroll describes the important buildings of Virampur. Verses 6-11 depict the market place, the traders, vegetables and fruits that were bought and sold, silk fabrics marketed and sweetmeats that were available. A few lines in original are quoted below : cahuțā mandap rājai ho virājai mārag copda
śreni hatāul oț phirtā chatrise pauņā ho nahi ūņā dhan dhan sundarā
vyāpäri bahu mot capal turangam sohai ho man mohai gayavar gājatā
rath su pālkhiyāni jor rāj mārag me taruņi ho gat varani gayavarani sadā
cālti mācasmā cor milti hilti nāri ho sur nāri parai sobhati
phirti cohatā māh lejo bahu che bhāji ho man rāji dekhi nai huvai
vaigan sāg vikāha khārik pistā khijurā ho man jūrā kistā huvai sada
pungiphal bahu mol ambā rāyan kelā ho bahu melā mevā sāmthā
levai lok amol jarīyā resmi gantha ho bhari baitha thirmā sābļu
pattu nilā lal pancrang pat pāmdiyā ho bhaljadiyā vinti nag bhala
bhāri molā māl sādi chință suhāvai ho man bhāvai odhan kāmbli
dev kusum vali dâkh jāti phal taj cīņi ho vali phiņi khurmā jalebiyā
lādu ghevar sākh
As we have it from the above lines, the market place of a small town of Gujarat was throbbing with life and activity. Even the narrow