Jaina Granth Bhandars in Rajasthan

Author(s): Kasturchand Kasliwal
Publisher: Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra Mandir

Page 30

Jaina Grantha Bhandars in Rajasthan.
RULERS & ADMINISTRATORS
Rulers and Statesmen contributed equally to the establishment and preservation of the Jaina Grantha Bhandats. The Rulers who were non-Jainas also saved these Bhandārs from destruction The South India dynasties like Rästrakūtas (alukyas Pandyās and Gangās gave their best assistance to these Bhandārs and due 10 the support of these kings, there are still great centres of literature. Mahārājā Jaya Singh Sidha Rày who was very fond of learning established a Royal Library by getting good many books written on the different subjects He got several copies of Sidha Hema Vyakarana prepared and presented them to the scholars and various Grantha Bhandārs Kumārpäla established 21 Sastra Bhandārs in every one of which be placed a copy of Kalpa Sūtra written in golden ink' He at his Guru Hemcandra's advice employed several hundred scribes to male copies of the scriptures and distri. buted them all over India A number of manuscripts still exists. He himself used to visit the libraries and took much interest in them Pethadadeva, the Minister of Mandavgarh also established seven Bhandārs
Among the Administrators, ministers and Dewans of the various states who tounded and gave support to the establishment of the Sāstra Bhandārs may be mentioned the names of Vastupal, Tepāl, Pethada Sáh of Mandava, Bharata, Nanna, Nānu Godhå. Balcandra Chabrá, Amarcanda and others. Vastupal and Tejapäl were interested in establishing the Sāstra Bhandārs Vastupālwho built one of the lamous temples at Mount Abu, established a Bhandar also at a cost of 18 lakhs, which was later on destroyed by the Muslim invaders Vastupal wrote one manuscript with golden ink and six manuscupts on Palm leaves Pethada Säh the minister of Mandavagrah was the follower of Acarya Dharma Sūri and during the preach of his Guru whenever there comes name of Gautama, the minister presented one gold coin for the writing of the manuscripts He established seven Sastra Bhandärs including one at Abu at a cost of 36 thousand gold coins He provided silken satchels and gold plates to protect leaves from thumb impression at the ume of reading Nānu Godhi' who was the minister of Räjä Mänsingha requested Sri Bhattaraka Gyänkin to compos Yasodhara Caula Bal Candra' Chabia and Amar Candra who
1 श्रीकुमारपालेन सप्तशतलेखकपाश्र्वात् लक्ष ३६ सहस्त्रागमस्य सप्तप्रतय. सौवर्णाक्षरा श्रीहेमाचार्यप्रणीतव्याकरण-चरितादिग्रन्थानामेकविशति प्रतयो लेखिताः ।
- Upadeśa Tarangini p. 140
2 3. 4 5
Bhalliya Jaina Sramana Samskriti Ane Lakhan kală by Muni Punya Vya. P 83 Updeśa Tarangin page 134 Yasodhai Carita preserved in Amer Sastra Bhandar, Jaipur Vira Vani vol 1