Jinamanjari 1998 09 No 18

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 44

The following account of Bühler's subsequent encounter with the Kharatara Gaccha Śrīpāj Jinmuktisūri in Jaisalmer - during 15.1.1874 to 4.2.1874 - is of great historical significance. According to his pupil Winternitz (1898), he owed much of his success in searching Jaina libraries "to his intimate friendship with the Śrīpūj Jinamuktisūri (344)":
Śrīpāj Jinmuktisūri was the head of a great portion of the Khartara Gaccha, the sect of the strict ascetics, which was founded in the 11th century. His stay in Jaisalmer was caused by the fact that Sheth Himatmal, one of the richest bankers, had built a new temple near Jaisalmer, which he had consecrated by the Shripuj. Although this happened a year ago, and Jaina ascetics are really only permitted to stay in one place for the three months of the rainy season, Jinamukti had lived in the monastery of the Khartar-community already for nearly one and a half years. Probably he found it too difficult to break loose, because the community was extraordinarily rich and generous.
In the year 1873 he was a man of approximately 35 years, with most intelligent, pleasing features and of great kindness. He received us with great amiability and replied to my "Maharaja Vande", "my veneration, great king", with a heartily spoken 'Dharmalabha", "may the faith increase". He spoke Sanskrit very skillfully and in our conversation showed himself to be well-versed in the Jaina scriptures, Sanskrit poetry and the sciences. Even the strictest Brahman would have declared him to be, if not a great pandit, then a real Byutpanna or a well-educated man.
I told him that he should become my Guru or teacher in Jainism, and he declared himself ready to answer all kinds of questions concerning his faith. Even my intention, to enter into the library of the Osvals, interested him. He told me that he, though being the Shripuj, [and] despite many promises [to admit him to the library), had not seen it. They were probably afraid to show him the books, lest he requested some of them as a gift for himself.
He showed us his very significant personal library, which he carried with himself, and made an offer to copy what I wanted. It made a peculiar impression to even find in this library a Hindustani Bible, which was presented to him by a missionary. Jinamukti said, that he had read the Bible. That he held it in honour was apparent, because he preserved it as carefully as his sacred books.
This first visit was followed by many others, and throughout the whole period of my stay our relationship remained equally cordial. In the morning one of his subordinate monks usually came to ask about my well-being, and at approximately four o'clock I went to him. He always
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