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 194

JAIN MANTRAVADA AND CAITYAVASIS: SRI VAIRASWAMI
185
years from the death of Asoka Pușyamitra Sunga, * the greatest oppresser of the Buddhists and Jains, usurped the throne of Magadha by slaying his master Brhadratha. His dynasty ruled from 184 B. C. to about 72 B.C. until the murder of Devabhūti the last king of the dynasty. In such mad persecution and dire calamity Jains must have naturally resorted to the Acharyas noted for their magical prowess and great Mantrasiddhas like Susthita, Supratibuddha, Arya Rohaņa, Priyagranthisūri, Vidyādhara Gopāla + Revatimitra, Kālakācarya, Srigupta, Aryakhapuţācārya and Upādhyāya Mahendra did or must have done what they could to protect the Jain fold. The effect of all this was however to increase the value of Māntrikas immeasurably in the eye of the people and therefore also in the eye of the Sadhus. Protection of Sangha and Caityas became the main duty of all whether laymen or monks. The importance of royal friendship and favour were also considered necessary at first for the protection and then for the spread of the Jain faith.
From all these necessities and the resulting atmosphere arose the Caityavāsis.
ŚRI VAJRASWĀMI In the biography of Sri Vajraswami we find that he also for some time made exception to the ideal rules of conduct for Sadhus and for a time helped his pupils with food obtained by his magical powers. We also find that employing Pața-Vidyā he removed the whole of the Jain Sangha from a town afflicted with famine, and carried the whole body flying over to another place named Puri. Further though a Jain Sadhu is not permitted to touch a flower even for worship of Jain idols, Sri Vajraswāmi through his flying-lore flew over from place to place gathered flowers and brought them down for
x Sri Kalyanavijaya identifies him with Kalki. + Vidyadhara was not merely his family-name, as his family-name (Gotra) is additionally mentioned as Kaśyapa. He was therefore very probably a Vidyasiddha and so came to be known as Vidyadhara and started Vidyadhari Sakhå of Sadhus.