History of Rastrakutas of Malkhed and Jainism

SR No.: 006719
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 374
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 140

Sanskrit Literature / 79
undoubtedly, Jinasēna was the uncrowned monarch of the Jaina literary world of the Rāstrakūta age. His works are revered as tour de force, feat of skill, with a stamp of permanency on them.
4.5.1. Nestor Jinasēna is said to have lived the full circle of 'centurian' for his 'swan song in and around C. E. 855. But, before breathing his last, Jinasēna had become immortal by his unique achievements. He has been attributed divinity. Jaina men of letters and Jaina church as a whole, refer to him with the honorary epithet as ‘Bhagavad Jinasena'. Jinasēna of Bịhat Punnāta sangha, a senior contemporary and author of Jaina epic poem Harivamsapurāņa (C. E. 783) is recognised as Jinasena-I. Jinasena of Sēna sangha, author of Adipurāna and other works is identified as Jinasean-II. Jinasena-I completed Harivamsapurāņa in the Nannarāja, basadi, a Jina Pārsva temple, in saka 705 corresponding to C. E.783. The Upāsakas and upăsakis, Jaina adherents of Daustaţikā joined to worship this work of religious merit at the temple of śāntinātha. Jinasēna-I has mentioned the names of Virasēna, Kirtisēna and Jinasēna-II.
4.5.1.1. Most revered svāmi Virasēna ācārya tutored Jinasena-II. He had his religious initiation from the adept Jayasēna ācārya in the prestigeous cloister of Malkhēd. In the last quarter of eighth cent. and in the early 9th cent., Jaina monastery of Mānyakhēta had become a den of great recluse and a coterie of eminent monk-scholars. Aryanandi, Virasēna, Jayasēna, Jinasēna, Lokasēna, Daśarathamuni, Guṇabhadra, Ēkacattuga - a band of prominent patriarch pandits, Jināgama experts had converted the Jaina lamasory into a hammock of goddess of learning. Among the group of genius, Jinasēna-II was in the front rank.
4.5.2. It is said that Jinasena-II was initiated into monkhood as a bāla-brahmacāri and he continued to lead