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 46

The Place of Mathurā in Jainism
Ancient works like Āvasyaka-niryukti60, Āvasyaka-cūrni6l etc. refer to the practice of erecting stūpas over the ashes of Jinas; accordingly stūpas were erected at Astāpada, Vaiśāli, and Mathurā. Many historians like Growse, Luders, Konow, Buhler, Fuhrer, V.A. Smith, Jacobi, B. Indraji, Agrawal V. S., Sharma R. C., Bhattacharya, Mukharji, Shah U. P., Sharma V. K., Joshi N. L., Tivari M.N., Rastogi, Jain Sagarmal, Dr. Jamkhedkar etc. have worked hard on this subject. Buhler found the reference to this stūpa in 14th century literary work Vividha-tīrtha-kalpa/Rājaprasāda of Jinaprabhasūri, belonging to Kharatara Gaccha. This book was written after a pilgrimage tour conducted by Suriji with his disciples. Bhagavanlal Indraji first saw this work and suggested it to Buhler. The reference of glorious Sālabhañjikās carved on rail posts of stūpa is noticed in Rāypasenium-sūtta by Prof. V.S.Agrawal62. The inscription obtained on the pedestal of an image no. J 20 LM. recorded the year 79 of the kuşāna era with the words “Dānam pratimā vodva thūpe devanirmite pra.." shows its antiquity. Jinaprabhasūri has also mentioned in this kalpa that the golden stūpa was erected by deity Kuberā, and that she protected and covered the same with bricks on the advice of Lord Pārsvanātha, 23rd Tīrthñkara. Deity even asked Jain Sangha to establish a Pārsvanātha idol in a newly built temple outside the stūpa for protection. In the Kalpa other historical narratives of Mathurā are given in detail including Bappabhattasūri's renovation advice in the year 769 A.D.63 with the establishment of Mahavīra's image. From literary and archaeological references, V.A. Smith assumed, that the stūpa was erected in the time of Pārsvanātha i.e. not later than B. C. 600, so it is the oldest building structure available in India at that time. Thus Jaina stūpa excavated at Kaňkālī mound by archaeologists provide fine history of Jainism.
60 See the fn. 28 of the chapter 'The Tradition of Stūpa..' in this book. 61 Ibid, fn. 29 and 30. 62 Prithvi Agrawal, Mathura railing pillars, (1966) pp. 6. 63 See the fn. 49 in chapter 'The Tradition of Stūpa.' in this book.