Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth

Author(s): Navinchandra Vijaymuni, Ramanlal C Shah, Shripal Jain
Publisher: Vijayanand Suri Sahitya Prakashan Foundation Pavagadh

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arranged by Karma Shah of Chittor in V.E. 1587. The detail of this event is recorded in the Shatrunjay Tirthoddhar Prabandh and in three inscriptions of V.E. 1587.18 It is mentioned that when Bahadur Shah was in exile at Chittor during the reign of Maharana Sangha, Karma Shah's family gave him a loan of Rupees One Lakh on the condition that whenever he might be the ruler of Gujrat, necessary permission to renovate the above temple be given to him. Accordingly, the monks of Tapa Gachcha Lavanya Samudra and others accompanied Karma Shah and went to Ahmedabad from where a 'firman' was obtained from the Sultan Bahadur Shah to renovate the temple. It seems that several 'sutradhars' named Tila, Poma, Ganga, Gaura, Tala, Deva and others were taken from Chittor to undertake the work of renovation. The work was soon completed and several Jain sanghas from Mewar, Ahmedabad and other parts of the country attended it. Anand Vimal worked hard to improve the Jain monks of Tapa Gachcha.
Vijaydan Suri succeeded Anand Vimal Suri. He remained much busy in Gujrat and died in V.E. 1622 at Badali. He was succeeded by Hir Vijay Suri. Akbar invited him to visit his court. He was then living in the Gandhar island. Akbar sent a 'firman'in 1582 A.D. to Sihabuddin Ahmed Khan, the Subedar of Gujrat, to ask Suriji to visit his court. On receipt of the 'firman', Suriji went to Ahmedabad. The Subedar asked to arrange the means of transport to which Suriji refused and went on foot to Agra, where he reached on June 7, 1582 A.D. He first met Abul Fazal, who took Suriji to the palace. Abul Fazal tried to discuss various points with Suriji but Suriji plainly told that agony and happiness are derived in one's life according to one's own actions. Abul Fazal was much impressed by the short and plain reply heard from Suriji. On 18th June. 1582 A.D., Suriji met Akbar. When it was made known to Akbar that Suriji, following the traditions of his sect, came on foot, he was much pleased. Akbar enquired from him 'what was religion'. Suriji told that any act based on kindness, was the religion. Akbar, who was much interested in the hunting excursions, was much impressed on hearing the reply. He gave the collections of Jain MSS available in his palace. These were taken from the collection of Padam Suriji by Akabar. He was also interested in giving gold and silver and other valuables, but Suriji refused. Akbar also issued a 'firman', according to which a ban was imposed on the slaughter of animals during 'Paryushans' and four other days. Further, on the advice of Suriji, Akbar also issued orders to have a complete ban on fishing in the tank of Fatehpur Sikari. 19 In 1584 A.D. the 52
Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth