Jain Dharma ka Maulik Itihas Part 3

SR No.: 002073
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hastimal Maharaj
Publisher: Jain Itihas Samiti Jaipur
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 934
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari, History, Story, & Parampara
File Size: 16 MB

Page 539

वीर सम्वत् १००० से उत्तरवर्ती प्राचार्य ]
[ ४८१
and Sambandhar, the advocates of the Shaivite School launched ruthless attacks against the adherents of the Jain Law and earned signal success in the Pallawa and Pandya Kingdoms. The Pallawa king Mahendravarman I and the Pandya ruler Marwarman or Sunder Pandya became converts to the Brahmanical faith.
This must have dealt a severe blow to the cause of the Jain religion. Jain Law was challenged; Jaina philosophy was questioned, Jain religions practices were diverted everywhere. Polemics were raised, disputations were held between the supporters of rival creeds regarding their superiority, proofs were demanded; and some times even ordeals and miracles were resorted to. The elated victors backed by the authority of the State indulged in violent activi. ties. The vanquished were pursued and persecuted.
The accounts of the persecution of the Jains given in the Periyapuranam and other literary works of the Brahmanical School present a highly coloured and exaggerated picture of the times. Still it must be a fact that the Jains met with ibiquities and maltreatment at the hands of their intolerant opponents. The scenes of these persecutions are found sculptured on the walls of the temple at Tiruvattur in the North Arcot District. Similar scenes are depicted in the form of painting on the wall of the manlapam of the Golden Lily Tank of the famous Minakshi Temple at Madura."9
श्री देसाई द्वारा दिये गये उपरिलिखित तथ्यों पर विचार करने से तो स्पष्ट रूपेण सिद्ध हो जाता है कि पेरियपुराण, स्थलपुराण एवं शैद साहित्य के अन्य ग्रन्थों में जैन श्रमणों एवं जैन धर्मावलम्बियों के सामूहिक संहार के साथ-साथ बलात्धर्मपरिवर्तन प्रादि के जो विवरण उपलब्ध होते हैं, वे मदुरा और कांची के शासकों और शैवसन्तों की अभिसन्धि से हए अवश्य हैं । पर जहां तक पेरियपुराण प्रादि के एतद्विषयक विवरणों में अतिशयोक्ति का एवं अतिरंजन का प्रश्न है, वह वस्तुतः विचारणीय है।
पेरियपुराण आदि शव ग्रन्थों में विद्यमान उल्लेखों में इस बात पर सर्वाधिक बल दिया गया है कि तमिलनाड़ में जैनों के सामूहिक संहार से पहले जैन धर्मावलम्बियों की संख्या अगणित थी, अतिविशाल थी। जैन धर्मानुयायी, विशेषतः जैन श्रमण-जैनाचार्य राजाओं, अमात्यों, राज्याधिकारियों और प्रजा के प्रायः सभी वर्गों पर पूर्णरूपेण छाये हुए थे, सर्वत्र जैन धर्मावलम्बियों का ही वर्चस्व दृष्टिगोचर होता था। १ जैनिज्म इन साउथ इंडिया एंड सम जैन इपिग्राफ्स-पी. बी. देसाई लिखित-पेज ८१-८२