Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 209

The Followers of the Ever Growing One
Moreover, in the same region, we find at Phalodi in Rajasthāna, a jñāna-bhaṇḍāra which contains three hundred and seventy-five manuscripts and is called the Sadhvi Puspa Śri Jñāna-bhaṇḍāra. This sadhvi was undoubtedly a source of inspiration to the local samgha, which accordingly, as a sign of perpetual homage, gave her name to the bhandara 154
This long tour, which has taken us, geographically, from the foothills of the Himalayas to Holy Mount Abu and, historically, from the VIIIth to the XVIIIth century, has introduced to us some ǎryikās and sadhvis. Through these Names and the setting in which they appear, we can realise how well integrated they were into the samgha, within which they constituted an intelligent and active presence.155 The fact that it is particularly the Names of ganinis, pravartinis and mahattarās that are mentioned in no way disparages the other sädhvis, for, if these guruņis were outstanding personalities, one may well suppose that their disciples, inspired and trained by them, followed in their footsteps. Moreover, if all the innumerable manuscripts still stacked together in the jñana-bhaṇḍāras could emerge into the light of day and be subjected to scrutiny, perhaps many more names of Śramanis would be revealed!
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154 Ibid., p. 201.
155 In order to avoid overloading this section, the emergence of the new Terapanthi community, which had its origin in Rajasthāna in the 2nd half of the XVIIIth c., is introduced at the end of this chapter.