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 219

INTRODUCTION
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ness either for themselves or others. All however do not strictly observe this restriction and the conduct of those amongst Samvegi Sādhus also who take liberties in this respect is not approved of by ideal Sadhus. The fact however that Mantravāda existed and exists amongst Jains cannot be denied by anyone.
We would here note the names of the famous Jain Mantrikas * who flourished since 1080 Vikrama era about which time the Caityavāsis were defeated in the debate as already stated. Yasobhadrasuri of Sandera Gaccha, who died in 1096 Vikrama era we have already mentioned-(See supra pp. 194 et seq.) Abhayadevasūri, Vīrācārya, Jinadattasūri, Vādi Devasuri, Hemacandrācārya, Malayagiri, Devendrasuri of Nagendra Gaccha of Serisã-Tīrtha fame, Srī Pārsvadevagaņi alias Candrācārya (Circa 1203 s. y.) author of Upasargaharavṛtti and Padmavatyaṣṭaka-Vṛtti, Sagaracandrasūri, Amaracandrasuri the author of Bala Bharata and several other works, Bālacandrasūri, Dharmaghoṣasūri of Tapāgaccha, the Guru of Pethadashah who became very famous by his charities, Devabhadragani author of Pratyangira-Kalpa in Prakṛta, Pūrṇakalasagani author of Sri Stambhana-Pārsva-Jina-Stavana with commentary(circa 1307 s. y.) Jinaprabhasūri, Jinakusalasūri, Bhuvanatungasūri and Merutungasūri of Ancalagaccha, Munisundarasuri Subhasundaragaņi, Hemavimalasūri, Jinacandrasuri (of Kharataragaccha, a contemporary of Akbar),
*It is not possible to give an exhaustive list, as almost all the Sadhus of note who wrote any work in Sanskṛta, Prakṛta, Apabhramsa, or Gujarati include obeisance to Sarasvati in the opening benedictory verses. Some like Amradeva and others are known as having their distinctive Mantras for worship of Sarasvati, but no Mantric works of theirs are available nor any miraculous achievement of theirs known to us. Even such a prominent personality as Sri Hiravijayasūri though known to have been opposed to performance of miracles or fortune-telling was a Mantrika he having achieved accomplishment in Sūrimantra.(See Hirasaubhagya poem cantos VIItoIX) Amongst Digambara Jains, besides the author of the present work,Sri Mallişeṇasuri,there were before him Śri Elācārya alias Helācārya (who first composed, Jvālāmālini-Kalpa) and Śri Indranandi and after him Śrī Subhacandrācārya author of Jnânārṇava and, Bhaṭṭāraka Subhacandräcäryä author of Ambika-Kalpa and others.