Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

SR No.: 007031
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2016
Total Pages: 306
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

Page 164

The Early Epigraphic Records of Mathurā
163
i) The synonyms of Arihanta. ii) The language used in the inscriptions.
iii) The year of setting up the sculptures. i) The synonyms of Arihanta:
The dedicatory records of Mathurā did not mention the epithets of Arihanta like Tirthankara, Jina or Jinendra so it seems that they may not be popular during pre and post Kuşāņa period at Mathurā. They called Arihanta as Bhagavato12, Bhagvān13, Bhagavāl4, Arahato,
Siddha, Siddham or Arihantals. ii) Languages used in inscriptions:
Most of the records, engraved on images and sculptures are in mixed Sanskrit and Prakrit dialect and in Brahmi script. The use of local words as well as its crude form is also noticed in the inscriptions, viz 'Suya’-dharmasala16, Bhayāl7 for bhāryā- wife, Dharmapatni18. wife. Sometimes middle akşaras are deleted eg. kaska for Kaniska. Kșasya for Huviska19. One inscription commences with the usual word
‘Siddham' but it ends with the adoration to Arhat20. iii) The year of establishment on sculptures:
The period of establishing the sculptures is between 2nd century B.C. and 12 century A.D. The pre medieval inscriptions have no mention of Vikrama year and months like Kārtika, Mrigasirsa, Paușa, Mahā etc. Instead, they used the era of dynasties like Kșatrapa or Saka or Gupta having detail of seasons like Hemanta etc. along with the number of the Lunar day (The name of the week and months came
12 i. Ep. In. Vo. II, no. 28, 'Bhagavato Usabhas'
ii. JSS. no. 82. 13 i. Ep. In. Vo. I no. 8, 'Bhagawān Vrisabhasri'.
ii. JSS no.56. 14 i. Ep. In. Vo. II, no. 6, Bhagava Nemeso.
ii. JSS no. 13. 15 i. JRAS, 1896, Arihanta Mahāvīrasya.
ii. JSS no. 88 16 L. L no. 32, Ep. I., Vo. I no.5. 17 Ep. In-v. II, no.2. 18 Ep. In-v. I, nos. 2 and 3. 19 L.L. no.35, Ep. I, Vo.II, no. 26. 20 L.L. no.27, Ep.I. Vo.I, no.3,JSS no. 29.