History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

Page 568

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
563 with the literary sources, that in later phases even Jaina monks were adept in the use of magic, spells and supernatural powers.
The following are some of the important feats done by Jaina monks as given in different inscriptions.
TL
The tradition about the forecast of a big famine in Magadha by Bhadrabāhu on the basis of a dream, has been referred to in a Sravana Belgoļa inscription dated c. 600 A.D.434 Thus the epigraph refers to the power of knowing the future by Jaina monks.
Another inscription dated V.S. 1597 from Nādalāï (in Marwad), says that in V.S. 964, Yaśobhadrasūri brought an image of the Jina using his magical powers (mantraśaktisamānītā).435
That the Jaina monks had the knowledge of removing evil influences of planets is indicated by the Rāştrakūța grant of the reign of Prabhūtavarşa. It says that a Jaina muni Arkakīrti was granted a village as he was successful in removing "the adverse influence of Saturn from a prince named Vimalāditya". 436
Another epigraph, dated 1068 A.D., refers to Municandra Siddhānta Deva of Müla Sangha, who "wrote a Yantra which scared away the serpents, piśācas, bhūtas, vihagas, the fierce nine planets, the śākinīs, (and) niśācaras ......"437 The same power was reported to have been acquired by Kalyāņakīrti, according to an epigraph of c. 1100 A.D.438
It may be noted that this reference to the Yantras, etc. is very important. For it implies the use of such powers by the Jaina monks in later phases of Jaina monachism. The Tantric and Yantric practices were usually known to have been confined only to Buddhism and Brāhmanism. But, this epigraphical reference shows that the Jaina monks could not escape the influence of the times.
The epigraphs of the twelfth century abound in references to such practices. For instance, these records refer to Kundakunda's miraculous power to move about in the air four fingers above the ground.439 Another record of the same period refers to Pūjyapāda who was said to have the
434. E.C., II, 1. 435. NAHAR, I, 852. 436. J.A., XII, p. 11. 437. E.C., VII, Shik., 136. 438. Ibid., II, 69. 439. Ibid., 64, 66, 117, 127, 140, 351,