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INTRODUCTION
Stambhini noted above as a common Vidyā is found here as Jalastambhini (one which freezes or stops water) and Agnistambhini (one which cools down or extinguishes fire). Jaya and Vijayā may also be noted, as these Vidyās and the deities of identical names presiding over them are mentioned in Sūrimantra as well as Vardhamāna Vidyā. The Prāksta Väubbhavā might mean Vágudbhavā i.e. Sarasvati or Vāyüdbhavā meaning one that generates stormy wind or cyclone. Isāni, Shakti and Kauberi are Vidyās apparently connected with Sankara, Shakti and Kubera. Cândāli is the same as Svapāki or Mātangi and Nindrāņi is the same as Avaswápini noted above. The flying lore is here thrice referred to. It is also mentioned in Vasudevahiņdi and as Utpatani in Sūtrakrtānga. Bandhani (one which binds) and Mocani (one which releases) are also found in Vasudevahiņdi.
We should note here the fact that Padmacarita alias Padmapurāņa, which appears to be a very close Sanskrit rendering by Sri Ravişeņa a Digambara Jain Achārya (634 Vikrama era) of Paumacariyam, has the said passage from Paumacariyam rendered verbatim in Sanskrit. There are two or three differences which can be accounted for by variant readings. We might however, note one which cannot perhaps be so accounted for: Adarśani for Visannā. Adarsani can be identified with Tiraskarini alias Antardhāni already mentioned. Instead of Avaswāpini we have Nindrāņi.
Sri Hemacandrācārya in Trişaşthisalākāpuruşacaritra Parva 7, canto 2 appears to have taken the said passage describing Vidyās from the said Padmacaritra but has additionally mentioned Rohiņi, Gauri and Gandhārī, which are mentioned in Vasudevahiņdi as well as in Avasyakacūrni (pp. 161-162) as Mahāvidyās. All the three works describe Rāvana as accomplished in 1000 Vidyās. (See Pauma. VIII, 6; Padma. IX, 134-all Vidyās; and Trișașthi loc.cit.).
The importance of the above references is that they occur in works which were composed long before the influence of Tantrikas made itself felt on contemporary literature and at least as regards