Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006575
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 376
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, L000, & L020
File Size: 21 MB

Page 200

JAIN MANTRAVADA AND CAITYAVASIS: ARYA KHAPUTACARYA
could be punished, if such an occasion arose. This must have given a great impetus to the practice of Mantras and acquisition of miraculous powers. ARYA KHAPUTACARYA
We see the same thing in the life of Vidyacakravarti * (Universal monarch of magical lores) Aryakhapuṭācārya. He flourished about the same time but must have been a younger contemporary of Kalakācārya. He died about the 484th of the Vira era, and was a contemporary of Balamitra and Bhānumitra, Kings of Broach, who were the sons of the famous Kalakācārya's sister. As stated by the writer at page 11A of his introduction to Nirvāṇakalika, "about the time the Buddhists had great influence in various courts of India and controversies between Buddhists on one side and Jains on the other were very common. Aryakhapuṭācārya and Upadhyāya Devendra (Mahendra) his pupil were Jain Sadhus well known for their learning and accomplishments in magical lores. One Buddhist from Gudasastrapura, who was defeated by a Jain Sadhu in a controversy before the King of Broach, died and became a malevolent spirit and began troubling the Jains. The services of Aryakhapuṭācārya were requisitioned, and by his prowess he made the Buddhist Yakṣa (spirit) do his bidding and follow him out of the town. The king was thus won over, and the spirit gave up harassing the Jains. Devendra (Mahendra) similarly punsihed the jealous Brahmins in the Court of King Dahada at Patliputra by twisting
* See Viseṣāvasyakabhāṣya:
191
विज्जाण चकवट्टी विज्जासिद्धो स जस्स वेगावि ।
सिज्झिज्ज महाविज्जा विज्जासिद्धऽज्जखउडु ॥ ९३२ ॥
He who is accomplished even in one great Vidya like Vidyasiddha Arya Khapuṭācārya is one who is accomplished i. e. adept in Vidyas or the universal monarch of the magical lores. Similarly verses 933 and 934 ibid say that one who is accomplished in a principal Mantra or several or all Mantras is a Mantrasiddha like the Sadhu who drew away columns of a royal palace and one versed in important magical powders or applications is a Drvyasiddha like Arya Samiti, the maternal uncle of Sri Vajraswami, who divided the river Bena to cross over to the other shore.