Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 12

JATYISY IX RIJASTHAN
from Shershah by Maladera with the help of Tejā Gaddhaiya is known to us from a Varsavali.1
(f) Tīrthanrālās and Tirthastayanas: These are recorded accounts of the saints who went along with thc Chaturvidha Sarigha (fourfold Samgha) for the pilgrimage from place to place. They used to travel somctimes alonc by themsclvcs. The Twidhatīrthakalpa of Jinaprabha-sūti, written in about the 14th century A.D and the Tirthamālā of Saubhagyavijaya arc important from thic point of view of the biographies of certain Jaina saints. They contain an account of the construction of the temples and the installation of the images. The Starana of Kanakasoma gives an account of the destruction caused to the images of Sirohi by Turasamakhān.
(g) Letters and Documents: Letters and documents are a reliable source of contemporary history. Considerable correspondence passed between the Jaina Acharyas and the rulers of Rajputana in medieval times. Thc rulcrs also allotted lands to the Jaina Acharyas for the construction of temples. The relevant documents are in the possession of the Jaina monks. Imprcsscd by the services of the Jaina statesmen, the ruling chiefs of the different states of Rajasthan granted them certain Sanads or grants which arc in the possession of their descendants.
(h) Vijñaptipatras: These arc the invitations, sent to Jaina Acharyas by Jaina Sarighas of a particular community for the next Chāturmāsa. These letters are also mcant to atone for the acts of commission and omission of thc members of a Samgha and to convey their good wishes for the whole of humanity. These arc uscful from several points of view. They usually give, in a pictorial form, the description of the locality from which they are issucd. The local cvents given in them are of considerablc value for the local history. Thcy providc us with interesting details regarding arts and crafts, professions etc. of the localities with which they are concerned. The pictures given in them arc useful for the history of Jaina art. They also throw : lot of light on the social and religious conditions of the period They have been issued from the cities such as Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur, and Sirobi.
(i) Illustrated Manuscripts: Several illustrated copies of the manuscripts have been preserved in the Jaina Grantha Bhandāras at Jaisalmer. * To cinckūnto l'ol. 2., .0, p. 219. 2. Bilūncra Jaina Lekha Sangraha, p. 27