Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

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

Page 76

Vol. XLI, 2018
The Jains in Ahmedabad
67
Prabandhchintamani,( p.55) describes historical value to the city. Prabhavakcharit( p.165) has a mention that merchants (12th century) had many Jain scriptures and treatise (Tika) reproduced. According to Puratan Prabandh Sangrah( p.27) Acharyashri Devacharya came here for four months on the request of Jains of the city, and gave lectures (Vyakhyans) in Neminath palace . Prabhavakcharit( p. 174-175) shows Acharyashri Devasuri had led Jain pilgrims from Ahmedabad. A Shrimali Jain Udayan came here from Vagra village near Jabalpur of Marusthali with his two sons Bahad and Chahad when he learned about the glory of King Karnadev, (Puratan Prabandh Sangrah, p.32). Udayan had come to Gujarat only for business but because of his wisdom and pious nature he had earned confidence of the King. So he became an important member of the royal court of Gujarat. He built Udayanvihar Jain temple (Prabandhchintamani, p.56, Puratan Prabandh Sangrah, p.126). Shantu Mehta built a Jain temple with 72 shrines, which became famous as Shantuvasahi. Mantri Udayan had greeted Hemchandrasuri who had come with Devchandrasuri. At that time, Chachig, father of Hemchandra, came to Karnavati to take his son back and had to show his objection he abstained himself from food and water. Udayan resolve his problems. So Hemchandra could take vows of renunciation in this city. Later on he became famous as Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya (Prabandh-chintamani pp. 83-84). Rajimati, a devotee in Ahmedabad, took 12 vows mentioned in Jain scriptures (Puratan Prabandh Sangrah, pp. 32, 80).
Prominent Acharyashris like Buddhisagarsuri (1036 A.D.), Hemchandrasuri (1045 A.D.), Jinbhadrasuri (1402 A.D.), Ratnakarsuri (1452 A.D.), Heervijaysuri (1572 A.D.), Hemvijayji (1601 A.D.), Yashovijayji had visited this city during their time.
Siddhraj was crowned as king in 1094 A.D. when he was little child and before the creation of Nirvanlilavati (1026-1036 A.D.) by an eminent grammarian Buddhisagar. Karnavati was prospered by Karnadev. Even after settling in Karnavati, Acharyashri Haribhadrasuri of Bruhadgucch wrote a treatise on Agamikvicharsar Prakaran (1116 A.D.), Yashodevsuri of Upkeshgachchh wrote an introduction of Prakrit Chandraprabh-charit (1122 A.D.). Acharyashri Chandrasuri, who stayed with sons of Shrimal Nagil created Munisuvratcharit (1137 A.D.). Pradyumansuri, disciple of Vadidevsuri, created Vadsthal. Son of Visal of Ukesh dynasty settled here and his fourth son, Chacho was the gem of Karnavati.
According to Political and Cultural History of Gujarat (p.347) Chacho