Sambodhi 2011 Vol 34

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 80

Jinaprabhasuri's account on Mathura in
Vividha tirtha kalpa
Renuka J. Porwal
Jaina monks are very good wanderers!. While travelling they write the account of their pilgrimage tour, comprising of the condition of the temple, site, year of establishment, renovation year, and name of the reigning king. Such system of documentation provide important evidences for History, Geography and social customs. The Granthas like Shatrunjay-mahatmya by Dhaneshvarsuri, Shantidas-no-ras by Lakshamansuri, Laksamani tirtha-rasa by Yatindravijayaji, etc. give very good information of the condition of cities and Sravakas of that period. The Vividha-tirtha-kalpa (V. T. Kalp) is such type of informative pilgrimage narration by Jinaprabhasuri.
In the history of Jaina there were two Jinaprabhasuri living between the 13th and 14th century. The first Jinaprabha of Agamic gaccha lived in the end of the 13th century till the beginning of 14th century of Vikram Samvat (Vk.S). He composed many informative texts in Apabharamsa language which are stored at Patana Grantha Bhandara. The second Jinaprabhasuri lived in the second half of 14th century of Vk.S. He was blessed by Devi Padmavati and was a disciple of Jinasimhasuri - the Acarya of Kharatara gaccha?. His period could be judged by his earliest work Katantra-vibhrama' in the year 1352 of Vk.S. At that time he might be 25 years of age. His birth year is mentioned in Prabandha-Upadesha-Saptati* i.e.1324 Vik.S. This Jinaprabhasuri composed many books comprising V. T. kalpa containing historical accounts of important pilgrimage centres. In his time Delhi was governed by Sultan Hammira Mohammad Taghalakha.
The Pannyas Muni Somdharmagani belonging to Tapagaccha had mentioned the important life incidences of Jinaprabha in Prabandha?. He speaks of the magical power possessed by Jinaprabha besides the efficacy of the Vijay Yantra. He made a Banyan tree to walk with him', while travelling to Gujarat with the Sultan. The Sultan's visit to Giranar Tirtha is also available in "Giranar Prabhava' book by Muni Hemvallabha in recent years. In these both works, the authors named the king as Firoz Surtran / Sultan Tagalakh but Sultan Firoz