Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006540
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 635
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Culture
File Size: 18 MB

Page 172

JAIN MANTRAVADA AND CAITYAVASIS : SURIMANTRA
163
s. y. 261) as is known to us today. It proves the authenticity of the Mântric tradition.
According to a tradition contained in Sūrimantrakalpas including Mantrarājarahasya by Sri Simhatilakasūri Sūrimantra is connected with the first Lord Sri Rșabhadeva also and it was in his time that Brāhmi became the deity presiding over the first Pitha known as Vidyāpīķha out of the 5 Pithas of Sūrimantra. The fact that the 2nd Pītha has Bahubalividyā included in it testifies to the tradition being correct, Bāhubali being the son and disciple of the first Lord, who ultimately became a Siddha. According to the said Mantrarājarahasya 1000 Vidyās* are comprised in the first Pitha; 20 Vidyās being comprised in each of the 5ú Labdhipadas forming the first Pitha. It is stated there that by contemplation of those who are possessed of Labdhis (i. e. Miraculous powers of the soul) Vidyās are acquired by the worshipper. 1000 Mantras are stated to have been included in Mantrarāja Pitha and on attaining success by contemplation of the said Pitha 1000 Mantras automatically become Siddha i. e. accomplishment is acquired in respect thereof. The said Mantrarājarahasya with its commentary Līlāvati is a collection of Sūrimantrakalpas belonging to different gacchas and as such furnishes us the different versions+ of Sūrimantra in a single work. In the 50th verse of the said * The pumber of Vidyås being 1000 can be seen from Aştāpadagiri-Kalpa, p. 93 Vividha Tirtha Kalpa, where Råvana is said to remember 1000 Vidyās before he lifted up Aştāpada mountain'lashFH gia greitt f ' That the small Vidyās are 700 in number can be seen from the following: "Hataya akifaarfarà" at p. 19, Section dealing with Mantrămnāyas of Sri Namaskāra Mahāmantra in the work entitled "Maháprabhåvika Navasmarana", by the present publisher. See also 'Vidya. puśasana' by Sri Mallisena sūri Ch. III, VV.18-19. There the Mahāvidyås like Rohiņi and others are said to be five hundred and the 'Añgusthadi' small Vidyās are said to by seven hundred by Sri Mallişenasûri. + The variations chiefly relate to the 1st and the 5th Pitha. In the former by inclusion of a lesser or greater number of 'Stuti-padas' or 'Labdhipadas' the Vidyā evolved is of 13, 16, 24, 31, 32 or 39 padas and in the latter the number of Merus being differently taken to be 5, 6, 7 or 13 causes the variation.