Jambu Jyoti

SR No.: 006503
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M A Dhaky, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smarak Nidhi Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 448
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion
File Size: 21 MB

Page 185

174
U. P. Shah
dated A. D. 155 and A. D. 157 according to Dhaky's calculation of the Kusana era.*
Jambū-jyoti
We have to remember that there are two types of inscriptions from Mathura. One type which refers to the year of Kanişka or Huviska. But those which do not refer to the Samvatsara (Era) of any king-must we regard them as dated in the Kuṣāṇa era ?
The analysis done above is an idle exercise to arrive at a solution of the problem of the era or eras used in the Jaina Inscriptions from Mathura. If identification of the acaryas named in these inscriptions and finding out of their age from the sthaviravalis could help us, it would be a great forward step. For the present we can say that Arya Mangu cannot be earlier than Arya Vajra. Vajra's date would be either between B. C. 57 and A. D. 57 (acc. to traditional date of Vira. nirväna) or B. C. 7 to A. D. 177 acc. of Jacobi's calculations29.
Annotations:
1. This was a case of splitting the words, written in a line in inscriptions and manuscripts, in a correct way. The inscription referred to two (dve) images (pratimavo) installed in the devanirmita stúpa. Similarly, in the Vasantagadh Jaina bronze inscription of Samvat 744 (A. D. 688), it is said that the silpin Śivanāga cast two images of the Jinas. The other (identical) image is not inscribed.
2. See my observation in Aspects of Jaina Art and Architecture, Eds. U. P. Shah and M. A. Dhaky, Ahmedabad 1975, p. xii. In the inscription, the name ingraved is actually 'Munisucrata', a scribal error for 'Munisuvrata".
3. However, cf. Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Report, 1905-1906, p. 98, 166.
4. "Muni Vairadeva of Son Bhandar cave inscription, "JBRS., December 1953, pp.410.
-412.
5. For more information about Vaira, see, M. J. Mehta, and K. R. Chandra, Prakrit Proper Names, vol.II., pp. 660-661, and the "Parisiṣṭaparva" of Hemacandra's Triṣastiśaläkāpuruşacarita. According to the Vicaraśreni of Merutungācārya (Ancalagacchiya: late 14th cent. A. D.) and the Duḥṣamākāla-samaṇasarghatthava, of Dharmaghoşa súri (c. 3rd quarter of the 13th cent. A. D.), the date of Arya Vajra is Now, of course, that date has to be reconsidered.-Editors