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

Page 158

136
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathura
dedicated to Supārśva. In fact, Jinaprabha Sūri is the only writer to say that this stupa was built in honour of Suparśva. 112 We agree with U.P. Shah's view that 'the Jaina stūpa at Kankālī mound in Mathura was dedicated to Pārsvanatha and not Supärśvanatha'.113 This view is not without foundation. We find numerous references to this Jina in the Jaina inscriptions excavated from Kankali Tīlā.114 Images of Pārsvanatha have also been unearthed from this mound. 115 Even Jinaprabha Suri states that a stone sculpture of Pārsvanatha was later installed in front of this stupa.116 It appears that either the copyists of Jinaprabha Suri's Vividha-Tirtha-Kalpa or this author himself, who belonged to a much later period, committed the error of describing the stūpa of Pārsvanatha as the stupa dedicated to Suparśvanatha. 117 But there is evidence of the existence of more than one Jaina stupa at Mathura. In view of this it would not be unreasonable to presume that probably a stupa dedicated to Supārsvanatha also existed in this city.118
Opinions vary regarding the antiquity of the Jaina stupa of Mathura. The exact date of its erection is difficult to ascertain. But it is certain that it was built many centuries before Christ. An inscription dated 79 (AD 157) or 49 (AD 127) on the pedestal of a missing image mentions the installation of an image of arhat Nandyavarta at the so-called vodva stūpa built by gods, i.e., devanirmita.119 On the basis of this inscription some scholars have opined that this stupa was built at a very early period; it was so old in the second century
111. SIJA, p. 63.
112. Ibid.
113. Ibid., pp. 12 fn 1, 63.
114. EI, II, No. 29 and Plate; EI, X, Appendix, No. 110.
115. MCH, Plate 34.III and 34.IVa; JPV, pp. 46-9; MS, pp. 22-4.
116. Vividha-Tirtha-Kalpa, pp. 17ff.; JS, p. 13; SIJA, pp. 62-3.
117. SIJA, p. 12 fn. 1.
118. Ibid.
119.
EI, II, no. 20; EI, X, Lüders List, no. 47; JAA, I, p. 53; ASIAR, 1906-7, p. 141; MI, pp. 41-2; JS, p. 4 fn. 1, p. 12 Plate VI.