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 274

ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS PAUMACARIYAM, PADMACARITRA ETC. 265 PAUMACARIYAM,PADMACARITRA,TRIŞAŞTHISALAKA PURUŞACARITRA AND VIDYAS
There are several references to Vidyas in Paumacariyam. It is a work composed in 530 Vīra era, i.e. 60 Vikrama era according to its colophon. Its author Vimalasūri describes himself as belonging to Naila Kula. Now Naila Kula is synonymous with Naila Sakha which started from Arya Naila a pupil of Sri Vajrasena about 150 Vikrama era. So the work may be taken to have been written about that date. Jacobi considered it to be not earlier than the 4th or 5th century A.D. Dr. Kieth, Dr. Woolner and some other scholars considered it to be of about 3rd century A.D. because of the occurrence in the work of the word Dinar and certain Greek astrological terms; but Dr. Winternitz, Dr. Leumann and other scholars consider that there is no justification for doubting the date 530 Vira era given in the colophon of the work itself.
We would draw the attention of the readers particularly to the passage occuring in the 7th Uddeśa from v. 135 to v. 145. About 61 Vidyās are enumerated in the said passage. Their names generally indicate the objects achieved through them. Amongst them may be noted Prajnapti which is one of the 16 Jain Mahāvidyās and Aṇimā and Laghimā two of the well known eight Siddhis (Aṣṭasiddhi). The flying lore is stated there to have been acquired by Ravaṇa, Bhānukarṇa alias Kumbhakarna as also Bibhīṣaṇa.
Of the Vidyas named in the said passage Prajnapti is also found in the passage from Vasudevahindi (p. 164) referred to above.
kalpa'; Gunanandi (circa 16th century Vikrama era) wrote Rṣimandala-Yantra-Pūjā; Arhaddāsa a contemporary of Asadhara wrote Sarasvatikalpa and Āśādhara (1235 to 1300 Vikrama era) wrote Gaṇadharavalaya and Pratiṣṭhāsāroddhāra alias Jinayajnakalpa'. Padmanandi (1385-1450 Vikrama era) who made an image of Sarasvati speak and Trikålya Yogi (circa 11th century) are some of the other Digambara Jain Mantrikas.
* See Viranirvāņa Samvat and Jain Kalagaṇana P. 123.