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ssion of Acharya Muni Shri Punyavijayaji, hinsell a great scholar of Jainism and the doyen of research in Jainisin in Gujarat. As he bequeathed his vast collection of Sanskrit. Prakrit and Old Gujarati MSS to L D. Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir, Ahmedabad, which was founded at lis beliest with the munificence of Sheth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the MSS is likely to have been preserved in the Institute, It bears No $17451
The folios have 13 or 14 lincs per page, and 55 60 letters per line. Both the sides of the folio bear a round red mark resembling a 'svastika' in the centre, while on the reverse of cach folio there are two red marks with ornamentation in the two side margin. The MS is fairly wellprescrved. It is undated and being incoinplete (-only the last verse of "Nemijinesvara Sarustava' is incomplete ) lacks a coloplion. However. judging from the general condition of tlic paper, and the style of writing it is likely to belong to C 1600 or thereabout. The MS is exceedingly clear and meticulously correct only 2 letters in the last line of folio 1 have been partially damaged and therefore, difficult to decipher with certainty."2
The author of 'Sadbhaşamaya Pañcajin:stava' is Jinakirtisūri of Tapagaccha, an eminent disciple of Somasundarasūri of legendary fame. Hc was first a Vaca ka' (912) and was later clevated to 'Sūripada' (arz) towards the close of the 15th century V.S., when Campaka Śreșthe of Chitod (272) celebrated the occasion with great pomp and festivity. In 1496 V.S. he presided over the inauguration ceremony of f allu17 - an imposing temple of Neminatha, at Girnar, and also at another temple at Bedarnagar, built by Parnachandra Kothari, a close confidant of he ruling Padashah. Jinakirtisūri expired in 1499 V.S. He must have written several religious works, which have not yet come to light as Shri Mohanlal Dalichand Desai, an encyclopaedic scholar of Jaina literature has not noted any of them. But the present 'stavanas' bear ample testimony to the vast erudition and poctic talent of the great Süri.
The au'hor of astabhaşamaya Nemijinesvara Samstava (27627719142 Afafa talena), "Jayasundarasūri of Tapagaccha, too, was another
1. el. "Śri Mahävirastavana Phagubandha of Jayasundarasüri-A rare
Sanskrit Phaigu poein", by K B. Vyas, Journal of the University of
Bombay, Vol., XXX pt. 2 Sept, 1961, p. 119. 2. Ibid p. 110.
