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ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS: GHANTIKA YAKSA
285
Pithikā Bhāşya v. 146 refers to miraculous works which the commentary interprets as Mahāparijñā, Aruņopapāta etc. Pithikā Bhāşya v. 291 mentions the incident of a Vidyadhara invoking a Vidyā of which a word or two were forgotten by him and how Prince Abhaya by his 'Padānusāri' power supplied the same and acquired from the Vidyadhara the Vidya in return. Bhāşya 1, v. 1009 mentions as an illustration Sadhanā of Vetāla and its dangers when not properly performed. Bhāsya I vv. 1308-1314 we have already referred to as describing Kautuka, Bhūtikarma etc. and showing how and when a person employing the same as well as Vidyā and Mantra become 'Arādhaka' and acquires Karma which would make him high-born in the next life.
GHANTIKA YAKSA AND GHANTAKARNA Bhāșya I, v. 1312 (pp. 403-404) refers to Ghanţika Yaksa who may probably be the same as Vira Ghanțākarņa. Tha Mantra of Ghantākarņaf styled Ghanțādi Vidyā is given after vv. 10-12 Ch. VI, Vidyānusāsana and also in the commentary on v. 1 of Namiuņa Stava. + As some are under the erroneous impression that Ghanțākarņa is a Buddhist deity we may note that Agni-Purāņa Adh. 50 vv. 41-42* describe his Dhyāna with eighteen arms. He is therein described as destroyer of diseases and particularly Visfoțaka-tumours or small-pox as is mentioned in his famous Mantra. The ancient lexicographer and
+3 घंटाकर्ण महावीर सर्वभूतहिते रतः ।
उपसर्गभयं घोरं रक्षरक्ष महाबल स्वाहा ॥ + 3 घंटाकर्ण महावीर सर्वव्याधिविनाशक ।
विस्फोटकभये प्राप्ते रक्षरक्ष महाबल स्वाहा ॥ * घण्टाकर्णोऽष्टादशदोः पापरोगं विदारयन् ।
वज्रासिदण्डचक्रेषुमुसलाङ्कुशमुद्गरान् ॥४१।। दक्षिणे तर्जनीखेटं शक्ति मुण्डं च पाशकम् । चापं घण्टाकुठारं च द्वाभ्यां चैव त्रिशूलकम् । घण्टामालाकुलो देवो विस्फोटकविमर्दनः ॥४२॥ अग्निपुराण, अ० ५० ।
