History of Jainism

SR No.: 006741
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Print World
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

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Jainism in Mathurā Second century BC to eleventh century AD
MATHURĀ— the heart of Braj -- and described as one of the seven holy cities of India in the Garuda Purāna,' has been a sacred city to the Hindus from very early times. This city has been held in high esteem by the Jainas also. Tradition recorded in later Jaina texts associates Mathurā with many tīrthamkaras. According to Vividha-Tīrtha-Kalpa, a fourteenth-century work made known by Buhler, a stūpa was built at Mathurā in honour of Supārsvanātha, the seventh tīrthamkara. Another Jaina tradition describes Mathurā as the birth place of Naminātha, the twenty-first tīrthamkara. Neminātha (Aristanemi), the twenty-second tīrthamkara, who was a cousin of Väsudeva-Krsna and Balarāma, was closely associated with Mathurā," and according to VividhaTīrtha-Kalpa, he had a specially honoured place in this city. Many images of the Kuşāna and post-Kusāna period represent Neminātha in the company of Krsna and Balarama.? Vardhamāna Mahāvīra is said to have visited Mathurā. 8 Jambūsvāmī, the last kevalin, is believed to have performed penance in this city.
1. Garuda Purāna, 2.28.3 cited in A.B.L. Awasthi, Garuda Purāna Ek Adhyayana, 1968,
p. 15; P.D. Mittal, Braj Kā Sāṁskrtika Itihāsa, vol. I, 1966, p. 22 fn. 2. 2. JS, p. 13; Yaśastilaka, p. 432. 3. Vividha-Tīrtha-Kalpa, pp. 17ff; MS, pp.1-2; JAA, I, p. 50. 4. JI, p. 80; JAA, I, p. 50. 5. MS, p. 2; Ibid. 6. Ibid.; Ibid., Vividha-Tirtha-Kalpa, p. 86. 7. MM no. 34. 2488; JAA, I, p. 50. 8. LDJC, p. 309; MCH, p. 211.
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