Some Jaina Canonical Sutras

SR No.: 011033
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society
Publication Year: 1949
Total Pages: 229
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Agam, & Canon
File Size: 24 MB

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SOME JAINA CANONICAL SUTRAS
Rāma and Sītā were united in wedlock is known as Sākalyakunda. The place has many popular shrines in it.
Campāpurī:1 In Campāpuri was born Vāsupūjya, the twelfth Jina, who attained kevulajñāna and nirvāna. Karakandu who was the ruler of this place installed the image of Pārsvanātha in the tank of Kunda. He afterwards attained perfection. Here Virasvāmi spent three nights during the rains in Pristhicampā. Kūnika, son of king Śronika, left Rājagrha on the death of his father and made (ampā his capital. Here reigned Karna.
Pālaliputranagara 2: On the death of his father kūnika, Udayi became the king of Campā. He was so much overwhelmed with grief that the ministers thought it proper to transfer his (apital. Augurs were sent out for selecting a site suitable for the construction of a new city. They reached the bank of the Ganges where stood a Pătala tree. They saw a number of worms entering the mouth of a nilakantha bird that lived on the tree. This they thought to be an auspicious sign and in town was built at that very site. It was named Pataliputra after the name of the Patala tree. It was also called Kusunapura, as the tree was laden with many Kusumas (flowers). Udāyi built hiere a cuitya of Sri Nemi and became an advocate of Jainism. Here reigned nine Nandas. The Nanda dynasty was overthrow by Cāņakya, a shrewd Brahmin politician, who installed Candragupta Maurya on the throne. After the demise of Candragupta, Bindusāra, Asoka and Kunāla adorned the throne of Pāțaliputra. Mūladeva, an expert in all branches of arts, and Acalasārthavāha, a rich man, lived in this place. The Ganges flows by the city. To the north of it is a vast expanse of sand. The great sage Sthūlabhadra observed here a religious vow of austerity.
i Campā was the capital of the Angas. In tho 6th century B.C. it was a big town. Its ancient name was Mālinī. In the Mahābhūrulu it is described as the place of pilgrimage. According to the Jainu Cumpakaśreşthikathu, Campă was in a very flourishing condition. The celebrated Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang calls it Chan-p'o. The city of Campū is situated at a short distance from modorn Bhagalpur. (For further details vide B. C. Law, The Angas in Ancient Indin, J.B.B.R.A.S., N.S., Vol. XX, 1944, pp. 4711.)
2 It was originally a village of Magadha known as Pāķaligāma. Ajātasutru was the roal founder of Pāțaliputra to which the capital of Magadha was ro. inovod by his son and successor, Udāyibhadda. It was built near the confluence of the Ganges, Són and Gandak but now the Son has roceded some distance away from it. This city was visited by the Chinese pilgrims in the 5th and 7th centuries A.D. It was tho capital of the later Sisunāgas, the Nandas and the Mauryas. During the reign of Candragupta Vikramnāditya it was a magni. ficent and populous city. For further details see B. C. Law, Tribes in Ancient India, pp. 227ff; B. C. Law, The Magadhas in Ancient India, R.A.S., Mon. No. 24).