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 208

JAIN MANTRAVADA AND CAITYAVASIS : SRI MALLAVADISURI
199
senāyariya. From several references in the same work it appears that he must have written Bhāsyas or commentaries on the Jain canon. At one place in Nisīthacūrni, it is stated that he created horses by a magical process contained in Yoniprābhsta. It is also stated about him that from a column at Chitor, he obtained a book on magic and read a page containing methods to prepare gold from base metals and create warriors. It really means that the Achārya was versed in magical lores and that he helped a king-friend to overcome his enemies. That is the reason why he got the name of Siddhasena i. e. one possessed of magical army. He also composed the famous Kalyāņamandira stotra, which he recited, when a king insisted on his making obeisance to Mahādeva, and on his reciting the 13th verse, there appeared the idol of Sri Pārsvanātha from out of the phallic Siva. A Mantrika hymn imitating Sakrastava praising Sri Jina by various epithets is also ascribed to him. * At the beginning of his life he expressed a desire to translate all Prakrta scriptures into Sanskrit, which offended his preceptor and the Sangha and he was excommunicated for twelve years, the condition of re-admission being that he should do some. thing, by which the reputation of the Jain religion may be greatly enhanced in the estimation of others. He fulfilled the condition. He was since known as Divākara. He was a great poet and composed Dvātrimsikās. He was a great controversialist and composed the famous Sanmatitarka. He made several kings accept Jain faith by his magical prowess and he was thereupon re-admitted to the Jain fold. There is no doubt that in his time Caityavāsis had already gathered great strength, otherwise an Acharya of his attainment would not have dared to ride an elephant and use a palanquin. It would also appear that Caityavāsa and Mantravāda were going hand in hand.
ŚRI MALLAVĀDISORI In the biography of the famous logician Sri Mallavādisūri who
* See Bhaktamarādistotratryam (Devachand Lalbhai Edn. No.79) PP. 242-245. Note the epithets 'Sarvamantramayāya' and 'Siddhasenädhipäthäya' given to Sri Jina.