Jaina Iconography

SR No.: 011018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 247
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 18

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umbrella over him. The image can be dated to the Vardhana period, 7th century A.D.1
By the beginning of the 8th century A.D., Jainism came to bear the brunt of those factors, which were at that time undermining Buddhism. Discipline became lax; a rich laity made the monk's life easy; desire for wealth, property and earthly honour guided most of the spiritual leaders of Jainism. Several great spiritual leaders, like Haribhadra Sūri and later Uddyotana Suri and Siddharși Sūri, however, rescued Jainism from this insidious rot, through the message conveyed by their disciples. These followers of the gaccha, later on known as Kharatara, did not pay mere lip service to Haribhadra's anti-corruption campaign, on the other hand, they popularised the teachings of their preceptor by their preachings, writings, discussions, debates and practice. Jinavallabha founded and restored the old temples at Marwar, Chittor, Marot and Nagor in Rajasthan. His disciple Jinadatta composed works to get rid of the evils that had crept into the Jaina church. So also Jinapati, a contemporary of the Cauhan king Pṛthvīrāja III of Delhi and Ajmer carried the message of his teachers almost to all parts of Rajasthan.
Kumārapāla Caulukya of Gujarat, acting under the influence of his great teacher Hemacandra, also popularised Jainism in his dominions.
The Bhaṭṭaraka Sampradaya contributed a lot to the development of the true spirit of Jainism in the early mediaeval period. This is attested by the numerous art relics at Deogarh and the region around.
Jainism continued to flourish during the Muslim rule also. Several Jainas held responsible posts in the courts of the Muslim and Mughal rulers. Due to their good financial condition and influence, Jaina ātrās in the mediaeval period were no less frequent than before."
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IV
According to Jaina legends, Bharata, the son of Ṛṣabha
See my paper, Videśī Sangrahālayon men Jaina Pratimayen. Mahāvira Jayanti Smarika, Jaipur, 1972, fig. 1 on p. 126.
Sharma, B. N., Social & Cultural History of Northern India (c. 1000-1200 A. D.). p. 115.