Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 11

I SOUROES
deal of light on the origin of the Samghas in the Digambara church. The Upakesacharitra written in vs 1393 is useful for Jaina history. The Yugapi adhāmücbarya Giivūvali of Jinapāla Upādhyāya written in v.s 1305 is a reliable source of history about the lives of the Jaina saints. The Kai machandra Vamsota Kirtana Kūvyam of Jayasoma of the 17th century supplies us a mine of information about the life of Karma Chandra and the condition of Jainism in the Bikaner State.
(c) Praśastis: The Praśastis are as important as the inscriptions, but they do not belong to the early period. Probably, the practice of writing the Prasastis started from about the 8th or the 9th century; but very few specimens have survived. From about the 12th or 13th century, it became the general practice. They invariably mention the time when they were written. They refer to the rulers in whose time they were composed. They give us the information about the various existing Samghas, Ganas and Gachchhas and their teachers. They mention the genealogy of the donor, his caste and Gotra Thiey indicate the liberality of the people, which was responsible for the preparation of so many copies of the manuscripts. These Praśastis are the most valuable source for reconstructing the history of Jaina Literature in particular and of Indian Literature in general.
(df Pattāvalis: The Patļāvalis form some trustworthy source of history They contain description of the incidents from the lives of the various saints who lived in different periods The important Pattāvalis are the Kharatar agachchha-pattīvah, Tapīgachchha-pattūvalı, MInilasamgha-pattavalı, etc. They mention the origin of the different sects into which, 10 course of time, the Jaina church organization was divided. The information given in them is not always absolutely correct and precise; and they are very helpful, provided they are critically used.
e) Vamśāvalis: Some Vamśāvalis are helpful for the history. They give the origin of the different castes and their Gotias. They also give a lot of insight into the lives of some well-known persons born in certain Jaina communities. Sometimes, they yield important information regarding the political history of the period. The regaining of Jodhpur
1 It has not been published yet luni JNANA SUNDARAJI has taken much help from it in writing the book namely Sii Bhagaviin Pūs sranātha ki Paramparī lū Itihūsa