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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History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā Śreyāmsanātha - the eleventh tirthamkara Śreyāṁsanātha,230 the eleventh tīrthařkara, also called Śreyasa, 231 was born at Simhapura,232 which is now called Sarnatha.233 At Sarnatha near Vārāṇasī there is a Jaina temple dedicated to him.234 Hira Lal Jain is of opinion that Sarnatha derived its name from Śreyāmšanātha.235 His father Visnurāja was the king of Simhapura or Simhapur1236 and his mother's name was Vişņu Devī.237 According to the Jaina tradition, Śreyāṁsanātha descended for incarnation from the heaven Acyutadevaloka.238 He ruled for long and abdicated his throne to pursue asceticism.239 He became a kevalin under a tinduka tree at Simhapurī after performing penance for two months.240
According to the Jaina tradition, his height was 80 poles and he lived for 8,400,000 common years. 241 His complexion has been mentioned as golden. 242 His first ganadhara and āryā were Kaśyapa and Dhārani respectively.243 He attained moksa in the kāyotsarga posture 244 on Samet Sikhara.245
230. JAA, I, p. 15. 231. OISJ, p. 69. 232. TSPC, III, pp.2-3. 233. CUHI, I, p. 220. 234. Ibid., I, p. 220. 235. Ibid. 236. TSPC, III, pp. 2-3; JPV, p. 105. 237. JPV, p. 105. 238. OISJ, pp. 66-9. 239. TSPC, III, pp. 7-60. 240. JPV, p. 105. 241. OISJ, pp. 66-9. 242. Ibid.; ERE, VII, p. 466. 243. Ibid., pp. 66-9. 244. Ibid., p. 66. 245. TSPC, III, p. 60.