Jain Journal 1996 01

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

Page 30

SOMĀNI : VIJAYADEVA SŪRI OF TAPĀGACCHA
91
Sūri. The chapters III and IV refer to the life of Hiravijaya Sūri and Vijayasena. The life history of Vijayadeva is given in the chapters V and VI and VII . The chapters VIII to X have the details of various Pratisthās, cāturmāsa, Dikṣā and other celebrations. He nominated Vijayasimha Sūri, as his successor. The details of the dispute with the Sāgara-Paksa are recorded in chapter IX, the celebrations done at Medatā, Jālore, Ghangāni and others are given in chapter XII to XIV. The details of Cāturmāsa of Khambat are given in the chapter XVII. The meeting with Jehāngir is described in the chapter XVIII. Next chapter contains the general description of Sūriji.
A few more MSS have some contents of his life (i) Vijayadeva Sūri Sañjāya by Jayasoma (ii) Vijayadeva Nirvāņa Sañjāya (VE 1713) by Premavijaya (iii) Vijayadeva Sūri Nirvāņa Svādhyāya by Darśana Vijaya and (iv) Vijayadeva Sūri Nirvāņa by Saubhāgya Vijaya. All these MSS are in the collection of L.D Institute, Ahmedābād. These contain mostly the last days account of Vijayadeva Sūri. The Dig-Vijaya-Mahākāvya of Meghavijaya contains some account of the life of Vijayadeva. FIRMAN AND VIJNAPTI-PATRAS
Some Firmans of Jehāngir were sent to the Sūriji and others, the details of which are given below : 1. The Firmān pertaining to stoppage of the slaughtering of ani
mals. Its date is not clear. Either it is 1605 AD or 1610 AD. It
mentions the names of Vijayasena and Vijayadeva.21 2. The Firmān prohibiting the slaughter of animals at Satruñjaya
and not to levy any entrance tax there. It was issued on 1608 AD.
It also has the name of Vijayadeva Sūri. 3. The Firmān prohibiting the slaughter of animals on Paryusaņa
days was issued in 1610 AD. It also has the name of Vijaya-deva
Sūri. 4. The Firmān dated July 1616 AD was issued from Ajmer, allowing
all the Jain monks to have complete freedom for doing religious duties. It also has the name of Vijayadeva Sūri. The Firmān dated Ist August 1618 AD, asking Vijayadeva Sūri to inform if he had any work from the Emperor. It is interesting to note that the Emperor had much respect for him.
A few Vijñapti-Patras22 were also noted wherein the Sūrji was requested to visit Gujarāt and other places. But these have no specific dates and as such nothing can be said about them. These have panegyrical account of the Sūrijī.
21. Mohanlal Dalicand Desāi op. cit. pp. 80-91. 22. Muni Jinavijaya - Vijñapti-lekha-Sangraha SJGM No. 8 9, 15, 21 and 22.