Saravali Painnayam

SR No.: 001633
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 122
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, History, & agam_anykaalin
File Size: 6 MB

Page 70

PREFACE : LXIX
Jaina canonical texts were held in this town. The first of these conclaves was held in the 4th century AD under the tutelage of Nāgārjuna and the second in the 5th century under the headship of Devardhigani. This region has also been associated with famous ancient Jaina Ācāryas such as - Pádalipta, Arya Bhadragupta, Aryaraksita, Dharasena, Nāgārjuna, Devardhigani, etc. The Digambara tradition also believes that Puspadanta and Bhūtabalī had studied Karmasiddhanta in the caves of the Girnar hill at the feet of Dharasena. It is, therefore surprising that there are not many mentions of Šatruñjaya - Palitană or Pundarīkagiri in the ancient canonical works and their Prākrta commetaries. Only in Antakrddaśānga and Jañātādharmakathārga, we find the references regarding Satruñjaya. Here, it is to be noted that the subject matter of Antakrddašā has undergone many changes from time to time. Earlier it had only ten chapters while at present it has ninety. Similarly Jñātādharmakathā has also had some additions since its original composition. Gisnār has been mentioned in the canons as Raivataka or Ürjayanta and the references of Nirgrantha monks staying and practising their monastic observances including the fast unto death there abound. However, no mentions of Pundarīka or any of its other synonyms, except Šatruñjaya, is found. Astāpada, Ürjayanta, Gajāgrapada, Dharmacakra, Ahicchatrā and Camara Utpadaksetra have been mentioned in the canon-explanatory literature, but not Niśīthagiri or Pālitāna or Pundarīkagiri. It appears that a Jaina temple may have been constructed in Pundarīkagiri in the year 313 AD as has been mentioned in the Tapāgaccha pattávali but it had not gained the fame as a front ranking Jaina place of pilgrimage by that time.
According to Śatruñjaya Mahātmya (1315 AD), by Dhaneśvarasuri, first of all Bharata got a Jina temple constructed