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As already said, the language used in the document is a mixture of veruacular 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 :
cahută mandap rājai ho virājai mārag copda
śreņi hatāul ot phirtā chatrise paunā ho nahi ūņā dhan dhan sundarā
vyāpāri bahu mot capal turangam sohai ho man mohai gayavar gājatā
rath su pālkhiyāni jor rāj mārag me taruņi ho gat varaņi gayavarani sada
cālti mācasmă 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 pistã khijurā ho man jūrā kistā huvai sada
pungiphal bahu mol ambā rāyan kelā ho bahu melā mevā sāmțhā
levai lok amol jarīyā resmi ganthā ho bhari baithā thirmā sābtu
pattu nilā lāl pancrang pat pāmdiyā ho bhaljadiyā vinti nag bhalā
bhārī molā māl sādi chinţă suhāvai ho man bhāvai odhan kāmbli
dev kusam vali dakh jāti taj ciņi 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 lanes and bye-lanes had a vast crowd. We further know that the ladies often visited the market place which shows that the ladies were free to.
186/JAINTHOLOGY
